Miami Families Need Safe Water Play Infrastructure Now

Miami’s summers are long, humid, and increasingly dangerous for young children. Families living in Downtown Miami, Brickell, Edgewater, and surrounding neighborhoods urgently need accessible public water play spaces.

We, the undersigned residents, parents, caregivers, and community supporters, are calling on the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and local civic leaders to prioritize the creation of a public splash pad, interactive fountain, or water play area in Downtown Miami.

Why This Matters
For families living in high-density urban neighborhoods without private yards or pools, public parks are not a luxury — they are essential.

Today, major downtown parks like Maurice A. Ferré Park and Bayfront Park offer beautiful green space, but little to no dedicated play or cooling infrastructure for young children.

Parents routinely bring toddlers to these parks only to find:

• No splash pads
• No interactive fountains
• Limited shade and cooling areas
• Few age-appropriate play opportunities

Children often end up climbing on adult outdoor gym equipment because there is simply nowhere else for them to play.

Meanwhile, Miami temperatures regularly reach the high 80s and 90s for much of the year, with dangerous humidity levels from May through October.

A Real Opportunity Exists

We urge city leaders to explore:

• A permanent splash pad or water play installation
• Interactive cooling fountains
• Temporary or pop-up summer water play features
• Activation of the vacant parcel behind the Kaseya Center as a family-centered public destination

This underutilized space sits in the center of one of Miami’s fastest-growing residential corridors and represents a rare opportunity to invest directly in families.

We Have Already Seen What’s Possible

The Verneka Sturrup Silva Aquatic Facility at Elizabeth Virrick Park demonstrates how transformative thoughtful water recreation infrastructure can be for a community.

We are not asking for a massive aquatic complex. Even a modest splash pad or interactive fountain would dramatically improve quality of life for hundreds of families immediately.

The Benefits Would Be Immediate

Heat Safety
Water play helps protect children during extreme heat and creates safer outdoor environments during Miami’s hottest months.

Equity
Families in urban neighborhoods without private amenities deserve access to public cooling and recreation infrastructure.

Community Connection
A splash pad becomes a gathering place that strengthens neighborhood connection, social interaction, and community wellness.

Vibrancy & Economic Activity
Family-centered parks increase foot traffic, improve public space usage, and contribute to safer, more active neighborhoods.

Miami’s children cannot wait for cooler weather.

We respectfully call on:

• Eileen Higgins
• Vicki L. Lopez
• Miami Downtown Neighbors Alliance
• The City of Miami
• Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation leaders

to prioritize and fund a public water play solution for Downtown Miami families.

Sign this petition if you believe Miami families deserve safe, accessible water play infrastructure in the urban core.