On Dec. 5, North Hobie Island Beach reopened for the first time since 2017. The six-year project comprised 9.6 acres of waterfront along the Rickenbacker Causeway, allowing for new public access for visitors and residents. The project cost Miami-Dade $14 million, and the reopening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
AP Biology teacher at Miami Palmetto Senior High, Geraldine Horvath visited the remodeled park.
“At [Hobie Beach] the south side is the new park, so that was under construction for a while, so when I would go to Hobie it was always on the north side,” Horvath said.
The renovations included the removal of 160 invasive Australian Pine trees and adding 263 native plants, trees and shrubs to increase the variety of flora and fauna. Horvath explained that the renovations to Hobie were interesting, even though the parking situation was a little different.
“We ended up parking on the north side but there’s a new walkway that goes under the bridge into the park, though there is parking on the new south side of Hobie and it’s awesome,” Horvath said.
The renovations included the following:
- Enhanced shoreline reinforcement to address erosion and rising sea levels.
- Innovative stormwater management systems designed to safeguard water quality and preserve ecosystems.
- Improved parking, recreation areas, and beach access points for greater safety and efficiency.
- A newly protected pedestrian and bicycle pathway linking Hobie North and South beaches through the underpass of the William Powell Bridge.
Horvath noted that there are new walking trails and bike trails and they have made small man-made beaches.
“It’s so beautiful. They also carved in these little beaches so you can hang out in the sand,” Horvath said.
The new south side made sure to include bathrooms around these little beaches. With the opening of the south side, there was not a rush of people as Horvath had expected.
“Since I went early it was not super crowded, though I’m sure as the day progressed there were more people, but it’s beautiful and nice,” Horvath said.
Unlike the north side, the south side did not consist of any food trucks or rental stations for bikes and paddle boards.
“[On the south side] there’s plenty of trash cans, which is good, but there were no food trucks, no bike rentals, nothing. Everything is on the north side,” Horvath said.
