The Safe Routes to School campaign highlighted the increasing necessity for people to walk or bicycle to access food, employment, and other basic needs, especially in Miami Gardens. The project emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists. Through an informative video, we explained the dangers of parking vehicles in a way that blocks sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to enter the street or cross in a vehicle’s blind spot.

Additionally, the Safe Routes to School campaign was not just about walking and biking to school; it was about encouraging outdoor activity in general. We featured artwork from Hibiscus Elementary students to engage the community and gather feedback on promoting safe, active routes for children and families.

Urban Health Partnerships partnered with Live Healthy Miami Gardens (LHMG) starting in 2016 to support a healthier and more equitable community in Miami Gardens. Live Healthy Miami Gardens aimed to foster and maintain a community culture of health and well-being for all city residents through access, information, activities, and services. LHMG worked to develop and implement community-level strategies to address five focus areas: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; Healthy Eating and Improved Nutrition; Mental Health; Physical Activity; and Primary Health Care.

UHP closely collaborated with the LHMG Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Subcouncil to lead the identification of policy, systems, and environmental changes that could help increase physical activity and improve health in Miami Gardens. UHP partnered with LHMG on various projects, details of which are available on the tabs on this page.

Live Healthy Miami Gardens was an initiative launched in 2014 aimed at making this vibrant neighborhood a healthier place to live. The initiative focused on uniting the community, following a strategic plan of action, increasing coordination, and enacting changes that improved the health of Miami Gardens residents. The City of Miami Gardens served as the primary coordinator of the project, with the Health Foundation of South Florida providing up to $3.75 million in support over the first six years. For more information on Live Healthy Miami Gardens, visit: http://livehealthymiamigardens.com/.

The Miami Gardens Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee was part of the Live Healthy Miami Gardens Physical Activity & Nutrition (PAN) Council. The committee comprised residents of the City of Miami Gardens who were interested in advancing plans and programs that improved biking and walking conditions in the city. Community members were invited to provide their input and ideas for creating healthier streets and public spaces.

Complete Streets Initiative Resolution Passes in Miami Gardens

On Wednesday, October 26th, the City of Miami Gardens Council passed a resolution authorizing the City’s Complete Streets Initiative, which included the development of a Complete Streets Manual. The resolution was co-sponsored by Councilman Robert Stephens. The Complete Streets Manual provides a set of design guidelines for future development and transportation projects within the City, aiming to create safer and more enjoyable streets for all users, particularly those moving around their community outside of single-occupant vehicles. The approval of this resolution represented a significant win for City residents, improving their biking, walking, and transit experiences. Thanks go to the Miami Gardens community, Councilman Stephens, the Live Healthy Miami Gardens Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Live Healthy Miami Gardens staff and partners, City of Miami Gardens staff, and our UHP Community Liaisons for Miami Gardens for their contributions and support towards this Complete Streets resolution.

Complete Streets Policy Explored by Live Healthy Miami Gardens and UHP

Live Healthy Miami Gardens and UHP explored how a Complete Streets Policy could help Miami Gardens adopt a comprehensive and active approach to creating safer, more enjoyable streets for biking and walking throughout the city.

Complete Streets are designed for all users: walkers, bikers, transit users, people of different abilities, and drivers, making it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, jobs, and schools, bicycle to work, and move actively with assistive devices. They are designed and operated to prioritize safety, comfort, and access to destinations for all street users, especially those whose needs have not been met through traditional car-centered approaches.

Complete Streets may feature wide, shaded sidewalks; protected bike lanes; dedicated bus lanes; comfortable and accessible public transportation stops; frequent and safe crossing opportunities; and accessible pedestrian signals, among other elements. The exploration included looking at how bike lanes and crosswalks could be incorporated into Complete Street designs.