The Underline: Miami's Game-Changing Bike Path & Linear Park

If you're moving to South Florida — or even just considering it — there's one exciting urban project you need to know about: The Underline. Miami is in the process of transforming 10 miles of previously underutilized land beneath its elevated Metrorail system into a stunning linear park, multi-use trail, and vibrant public art corridor. Think New York's High Line, but Miami-style.

What Is The Underline?

The Underline is a 10-mile linear park and shared-use path running beneath Miami-Dade's Metrorail from the Brickell neighborhood of Downtown Miami all the way south to Dadeland South station in Kendall. It's designed for cyclists, joggers, walkers, and anyone who wants to enjoy Miami's outdoor lifestyle in a safe, car-free environment.

When fully complete, The Underline will connect to the South Dade Trail, creating a remarkable 32-mile continuous off-road corridor for pedestrians and cyclists — one of the most impressive urban trail networks in the entire Southeast United States.

Progress So Far

The project has been rolling out in three phases:

• Phase 1 — Brickell Backyard (Completed February 2021): The north end of the trail, featuring the Typoe Sculpture Garden, a sound stage plaza, an urban gym with a basketball court, workout stations, a running track, and beautiful butterfly gardens filled with native plants.

• Phase 2 — Hammock Trail (Opened April 24, 2024): This 2.14-mile segment stretches from Brickell south toward SW 19th Avenue. It includes over 100,000 rehabilitated native plants and trees, the Hammock Playground, Vizcaya Station Plaza, and a Rain Garden adjacent to Simpson Park Hammock.

• Phase 3 (Expected 2026): The final and largest stretch — a massive 7.36-mile segment completing the full corridor.

Phase 3: The Big One — Coming 2026

Phase 3 is the most ambitious segment yet. This 7.36-mile stretch connects SW 19th Ave near the Vizcaya Metrorail station all the way to the Dadeland South Metrorail station, linking the communities of the City of Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami, and Unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade County awarded the construction contract to NV2A Central Joint Venture in October 2022. The total estimated construction cost is $109 million.

Phase 3 is built on three key drivers: safe multi-modal transportation, nature, and community — priorities shaped through extensive public input meetings.

What Phase 3 Will Include

Nature & Green Infrastructure:

• 1,800 new trees and palms
• 350,000 native plants including shrubs, small palms, grasses, and perennials
• Numerous bioswales and bioretention ponds inspired by native ecosystems: Pine Rockland, Hardwood Hammock, Pollinator, and Wet Prairie
• Below-ground drainage to help with stormwater flooding and runoff

Amenities & Features:

• Safe biking and walking paths with improved lighting
• Improved crosswalks at 25 intersections along US-1
• Resting areas with oolitic limestone boulders and benches
• Hydration stations throughout the corridor
• Bike racks and repair stations at multiple locations
• Dog-friendly amenity areas
• Trash and recycling receptacles throughout
• Dark Sky-compliant LED lighting
• Free Wi-Fi service
• Public art installations
• Programmable areas for public events, cultural programming, and health & wellness activities

Once all three phases are complete, The Underline will be Miami-Dade County's first true mobility corridor, uniting all modes of transportation and enhancing accessibility to eight Metrorail stations and surrounding communities.

Why It Matters for South Florida Living

For anyone relocating to Miami or the greater South Florida area, The Underline represents a major quality-of-life upgrade. Here's why:

🚴 Car-Free Connectivity

One of the biggest adjustments for newcomers to South Florida is the car-dependent culture. The Underline is changing that. Once complete, you'll be able to bike or walk safely from Brickell all the way to Kendall without a single traffic light — and connect onward via the South Dade Trail for a 32-mile car-free journey.

🌿 Green Space in the Urban Core

Miami's urban core has historically lacked accessible green space. The Underline delivers over 120 acres of parks, native landscaping, public art installations, and open-air fitness areas right in the heart of the city.

🏡 Real Estate Impact

Neighborhoods along The Underline corridor — Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami — are already seeing increased interest from buyers and renters who want walkable, active-lifestyle communities. If you're considering investing near these areas, The Underline is a major long-term value driver.

🎨 Art & Culture

The Underline isn't just a trail — it's a public art destination. The project incorporates large-scale art installations, murals, and cultural programming throughout the corridor, making every walk or bike ride a unique experience.

🌧️ Sustainability

The design incorporates bioswales, bioretention ponds, hydration stations, bike repair stops, and native Florida plantings that support local ecosystems — making it a national model for sustainable urban infrastructure.

How to Access The Underline

You can access The Underline from multiple Metrorail stations along the route:

• Brickell Station — Brickell Backyard (Phase 1, open now)
• Vizcaya Station — Hammock Trail (Phase 2, open now)
• Dadeland South Station — Future Phase 3 southern terminus (2026)

For the most current trail maps, event schedules, and Phase 3 construction updates, visit theunderline.org or the Miami-Dade County Phase 3 page.

The Bottom Line for Relocators

The Underline is one of the clearest signs that Miami is maturing into a world-class, livable city. Projects like this raise the bar for outdoor recreation, sustainable transportation, and community connection — all things that matter enormously to people choosing where to put down roots.

If you're evaluating South Florida neighborhoods and want to know which areas offer the best walkability, cycling infrastructure, and lifestyle access, Jacob Edri and the Move to South Florida Team can walk you through it all. We know this market deeply — not just the properties, but the lifestyle.

Ready to explore what life along The Underline corridor could look like for you? Reach out for a free relocation consultation — we'd love to show you around.