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PROJECT EXPERIENCE <br />120 -acre master plan <br />Integration of active and passive <br />recreation and resource protection <br />Tree Island Park General Plan <br />Miami -Dade County, Florida <br />Client: Miami -Dade County Park & Recreation Department <br />Tree Island Park is a unique 120 -acre new District park in the rapidly growing <br />suburban district of western Miami -Dade County, Florida. The property <br />includes almost sixty acres of pristine marl prairie, a type of seasonal wetland <br />once prevalent in this part of the County and now largely vanished. In <br />addition, a number of subtropical hardwood forest "tree islands" dot this <br />prairie, providing habitat for rare and endangered species of animals and <br />plants just as they have historically done throughout these coastal prairies and <br />the Everglades to the west. <br />The County acquired the land with special environmental lands funding, <br />state grants and park impact fees, based on a proposal to provide both natural <br />preserve and community recreation areas. The initial program called for 50 <br />acres of upland development and 70 acres of wetland preserve comprising the <br />highest quality prairie and virtually all of the tree islands, which are protected <br />by County regulations. <br />• Environmental permitting EDAW is currently completing a General (Master) Plan for Tree Island, <br />involving an extensive input process engaging area residents and a steering <br />committee representing several stakeholder County Departments. Alternative <br />Concept Plans were developed that explore distinctly different approaches to <br />site planning and circulation, and a Preferred General Plan will be submitted <br />for approval in spring 2005. EDAW is also leading the environmental <br />permitting process to secure necessary approvals from county, state and federal <br />agencies, to enable development of a much - needed community park in tandem <br />with this protected and special natural resource. The park experience will <br />ultimately offer a unique blend of active recreation, passive recreation, nature <br />appreciation and habitat protection opportunities. <br />EDAW INC DESIGN, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTS WORLDWIDE <br />