Sights and Scenes: South Pointe Park

A summer walk through Miami Beach's South Pointe Park.

Originally completed in October 1985, South Point Park is one of South Florida’s most iconic public spaces. Situated on the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, the park occupies land overlooking Government Cut that was once used as a home to the Port of Miami’s harbor pilots, along with police horse stables and a police intelligence unit. In 2008, a $22 million renovation designed by The Hargreaves Associates of New York City, was completed for the 17-acre public space. Today it is a vibrant location where the pristine beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, meet the waters of Biscayne Bay.

The park’s design includes a grand esplanade along Government Cut, a beach dune restoration area, children’s playground, interactive spray water feature, and a park pavilion, all anchored within a dramatic, serpentine landform that serves as a place for viewing, a path for walking, and artful, iconic feature of the park. This dramatic and playful new topography creates a destination in and of itself and the sweeping lawn areas facilitate play, games, yoga, music, dogs and informal gatherings of all types. The esplanade is dramatically and colorfully lit at night, though detailed so as not to disrupt sensitive turtle habitat. The park is highly used and contributes greatly to attracting new development and a growing renaissance of this South Beach neighborhood.

Source: https://www.hargreaves.com/work/south-pointe-park/