The Proposal

Residents of the Continental Park neighborhood have been engaged in a growing battle to protect their beloved park from a proposed, recurring farmers’ market which has raised serious concerns about transparency, ethics, and the misuse of public office.

In late October 2025, residents learned that a weekly, Saturday farmers’ market was set to start on November 1st at Continental Park. The initiative, spearheaded by a resident and promoted by Commissioner Raquel Regalado, was already being promoted on social media and through a distribution of flyers, despite not having obtained permit approval from the Parks and Recreation Department.

This premature promotion immediately raised red flags. Vendors were being recruited, and a November 1st start date was promised, well before any formal community input or approval had taken place. Residents of the community were left frustrated - wondering how such a significant change to their neighborhood park was moving forward full steam ahead without their knowledge or consent. 

Community’s Concerns Go Ignored

On October 23, 2025, a community meeting was held at the DICE House in Continental Park. Facilitated by Commissioner Regalado’s Chief of Staff, Anthony Escarra, the meeting was intended to address residents’ concerns. However, it quickly became apparent that the proposal lacked critical planning. The applicant, who claimed to manage the Pinecrest Farmers’ Market, was supposed to present the plan for the Continental Park Market. However, he was unable to answer basic questions about traffic, safety, or logistics. His claim about having managed the Pinecrest Farmers’ Market was later debunked by its actual manager, who verified that the applicant was merely a vendor.

Our concerns:

1. Traffic and pedestrian safety on already congested streets.
2. Limited parking and the risk of overflow into residential areas.
3. Disruption of weekend park use, which currently supports a variety of recreational activities.
4. Lack of transparency in the permit process and absence of a competitive bidding process.
5. A potential violation of Article 7 of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances regarding private commercial use of public land.

Our suggestions:

• Relocating the market to the vacant, county-owned property located on SW 87th Avenue and 112th Street with ample parking space.
• Relocating the market to the Metro Life Church located on SW 82 Avenue and 104 Street. This location has already offered the market a portion of their parking spaces. 
• Reducing the frequency of the market to once per month. This suggestion was rejected by the market manager as evidenced in the November 5th Zoom poll.

All concerns and suggestions have been ignored or dismissed.

A Flawed and Misleading Poll

On November 5, 2025, Commissioner Regalado hosted a virtual Zoom meeting to address the greater community. Anyone with the link, no matter their geographical location and no matter their affiliation with the proposed market, was invited to attend. The Commissioner, Mr. Escarra, the market manager, a representative from Parks of Recreations as well as other staff led the meeting. This meeting did only one thing: it deepened our mistrust.

At the end of the meeting, the Commissioner’s office held a poll in real time asking a critical and determining question:

“Are you in favor of a farmers market at Continental Park?”

There were four choices, all of which were variations of “Yes.” There was no option to vote “No” or to express any opposition to the market. Here are the options:

o   Yes

o   Yes, if hours are reduced

o   Yes, if every other week

o   Yes, if hours are reduced and it’s every other week

o   Choice 5

The final option, “Choice 5”, created significant confusion. Residents immediately raised concerns in the Zoom’s Q&A and using the “raise hand” emoji. All attempts for clarification and help were ignored leading many to question its intent. After the meeting, residents seeking clarification emailed the Commissioner’s office but no one replied. Later, Mr. Escarra claimed the omission of an option for “No” was a mistake, an explanation that many found disingenuous given the level of preparation evident during the meeting. 

Additionally, the poll failed to include an option for a once-per-month market. This exclusion effectively silenced anyone who may have supported this compromise and further demonstrates the biased nature of the engagement process. 

Finally, during the Zoom meeting, the farmers’ market was conveniently rebranded as a “pilot program” that would be held every other week instead of weekly. This shift appears to be a strategic attempt by the Commissioner’s office to reduce backlash while still advancing her initiative and bypassing any genuine community consensus. This new “pilot program” allows for the market to be changed to a weekly event at any given point in time.

A Pattern of Disregard

There is a broad pattern of behavior that has left residents feeling silenced and sidelined:

• The applicant promoted the market  as a done deal on social media before any permit was issued and without prior notice to the Continental Park community.
• The applicant started a petition on Change.org in support of the market gathering signatures from individuals outside of the affected neighborhood.
• The Commissioner’s office conducted a poll that intentionally excluded dissenting participants and participants who supported a much lesser frequency.
• After facing backlash, the Commissioner rebranded the market as a “pilot program” in order to continue advancing the permit for the market.
• Community feedback has gone ignored or dismissed.

A Call for Accountability

Residents have submitted a formal complaint to the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics Department, requesting an investigation into the handling of the market proposal, the poll, and the broader public engagement process. 

The community is demanding:

1. A full review of the permit process.
2. Access to the unedited Zoom meeting recording, including chat logs and participant engagement.
3. A thorough investigation into the role of the Office of the Commissioner in the market, its rebranding of the initiative as a “pilot program” and its public poll held during the Zoom meeting, including the deliberate omission of any option for a monthly market or an option to outrightly oppose the market.  
4. A formal traffic and safety study.
5. Consideration of alternative locations.
6. Assurance that only local resident input will influence decisions about their neighborhood park. 

Why This Matters

This is not just about a farmers’ market. It’s about the integrity of public processes, the role of elected officials, and the right of communities to have a voice in decisions that affect their daily lives. Continental Park is a cherished space for families, seniors, and children. It is not a commercial venue, and it should not be treated as such without the full and fair consent of the community. We are that well-informed community. And, we are standing up for our park, our neighborhood, and our right to be heard.