The Underline will transform the land below Miami's Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and living art destination.

Friends of The Underline founder, Meg Daly, broke both of her arms in 2013. Since she could not drive and had to go to physical therapy, she took the Metrorail near her home and walked underneath the train tracks to her destination. Even in July, she did not feel hot in the shade of the tracks. She also noticed how wide the corridor is and that she was the only person using it. At that moment is when she thought the land could better be utilized as a linear park and urban trail.

Through a competitive process, James Corner Field Operations (JFCO) was selected as the master plan design team from a field of 19 applicants. This team has created a master plan framework and detail for two demonstration projects. The companies working in collaboration with JFCO include Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Kimley-Horn, HR&A Advisors, HLB Lighting and Pentagram.

Friends of The Underline are advocating for the transformation of the land below Metrorail from the Miami River to Dadeland South. The Friends group is working with County agencies (both Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces and Transportation & Public Works departments) to raise government grants, including county, state and federal. All in the while, Friends of The Underline works to secure municipal and public funding. The management and programming of The Underline will be run by a 501C3 represented by the County, FDOT, FTA (Federal Transit Authority), Friends of The Underline and three municipalities.

The area underneath the Metrorail from the Miami River to Dadeland South (the footprint for The Underline) has one owner and is continuous. Once over the river, the area under Metrorail is much more complicated due to land ownership, right of ways, etc. We are mapping how to get over the river, and connect north, west and east access points once The Underline is built.

The Underline is being built in phases based on funding and to have the least amount of impact to users of the existing path.

The total cost is $110-$120 million which includes:
$80 million for the two trails, lighting, seating and other amenities.
$20 million for intersections improvements (over 30 intersections).
$20 million for destination parks.

Some of our funders include the cities of Miami, Coral Gables, and South Miami and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Miami Foundation, the Health Foundation of South Florida and Mitchell Wolfson Foundation. For a better breakdown of funding by phase, please refer to our Progress page. Additional funding will derive from public and private sources.

Yes, Friends of The Underline is a 501C3 non-profit organization and our most recent 990 Form can be found here and the most recent financial statements can be found here.

Your donations will be used to help Friends of The Underline advocate and promote The Underline and administrate our organization. We are a 501C3 non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible. We really appreciate your support!

Donating to The Underline is simple. You can donate online at or send a check made out to Friends of The Underline and mailed to Friends of The Underline, 1172 South Dixie Highway, #559, Coral Gables, FL 33146. Every tax deductible dollar you donate will help us maintain and manage The Underline and will contribute to a safer and more beautiful Miami. If you have questions, please contact Amy Rosenberg at 305-610-8091 or amy.rosenberg@theunderline.org.

We have naming opportunities starting at $1000 and welcome your support. For more information, contact Amy Rosenberg at 305-610-8091 or amy.rosenberg@theunderline.org

Construction for Brickell Backyard (Phase 1, Miami River to SW 13th St.) is projected to begin in November 2018 and Phase 2 (SW 13th St. to SW 19th St.) is projected to begin in Spring 2019. To stay up to date with construction progress, please refer to our Progress page.

Access to the M-Path will be accessible as the phases are being built, some detours might occur. The Underline will be open as each phase is completed.

Projects with similar vision and scope have taken a decade to complete. We project each phase taking a year to a year-and-a-half to complete. You can help us build it in less time by supporting the initiative and donating to the cause.

User safety is one of our biggest concerns. Currently the MPath, the bike path underneath the Metrorail, has limited lighting or amenities, and needs wider and safer crosswalks. All of these, and other safety issues, are being addressed.

The Underline will include ample lighting, patrolling security, and CC cameras along the trail.

The Underline and it’s fixtures have been designed to prevent sleeping on the property. In addition, security will be patrolling the trails to ensure management and maintenance protocols are enforced.

Management, maintenance and programming will be done by a public 501C3.

We used the 10 mile length of the corridor (52,800ft) multiplied by 100 feet (average width of the corridor as determined by Miami-Dade County Transit) is 121.21 acres. This is an estimate of the entire corridor including intersections. Along the estimated 100 acres, the linear park and urban trail will include butterfly gardens, dog parks, work out armatures, basketball court, mini-soccer pitch, sound stages and monumental art. The Underline will include numerous health, meditation, children, dog, art and environmental programming throughout the year.

Plans are in the works to include WiFi along The Underline.

Bathrooms are not in the design scheme of the masterplan. The Underline is adjacent to many commercial establishments that provide easily accessible public bathrooms and are available inside Metrorail stations for riders.

One of our top priorities is getting the community involved! Please email us at info@theunderline.org with your design comments or post on our social platforms Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @theunderlinemia.