‘Reach the Beach’
Beach access points and parks enhancing the city
By Bari Auerbach

“Sunny Isles Beach” – the name of the city, in and of itself, explains why tourists come from all over the world to enjoy vacations by the beach – and the number of year-round homeowners cherishing spectacular ocean views is steadily rising.

Since the city incorporated in 1997, elected officials have made it a priority to preserve beach access as luxurious new developments replaced antiquated motels along the east side of Collins Avenue. In 2003, the following ordinance was adopted requiring developers to provide beach access for the public:

Beach Access: Means and includes a nonexclusive, publicly accessible, open air and unenclosed landscaped hard surface area easement linking Collins Avenue to the Oceanfront Beach, of not less than 15 feet wide and to be located within a required side setback area, on that side of the property closest to a signalized public crosswalk on Collins Avenue and, where practicable, on the side adjacent to an existing beach access easement, provided by abutting property with such easement to be over, across, under and through said property, with the elevation of such easement to be no more than six feet above grade. [Added 7-15-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-173]

In an article featured in South Florida CEO, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup noted, "Our philosophy has been to build tall and skinny buildings with wide view corridors...We believe this approach is better than having short and squat buildings that block the ocean views. This approach is working well for us."

Marking the beginning of the Sunny Isles Beach renaissance, architects Charles Sieger and Kobi Karp designed some of the first new multi-million dollar towers to rise as well as new properties now under construction or recently approved by the City Commission.
"Every one of these projects is different, reflecting the developer's preferences, our creative ideas, and the constant changes in the marketplace," says Sieger, who assisted the city in rewriting its zoning codes to encourage the “tall and skinny” building concept. "This creates a more interesting skyline and allows more light and air down on the street level...Sunny Isles Beach is at the nation’s forefront in writing zoning codes that promulgate high-rises in an acceptable urban fashion. The result for the city is an attractive urban fabric along the edge of the ocean."

“What we strive to do is create unique individual buildings with their own character and personalities," Karp added. "The tall, thinner designs allow for more open space and more green space between buildings, which is critical because of the community's relationship with the water.”

Today, the city’s website www.sibfl.net lists 18 existing beach access points including handicapped accessible and proposed points – and as new site plans are approved there will be even more ways to “reach the beach.” An exception was recently made for a 32-story condo planned for 17475 Collins Avenue next to the Samson oceanfront park.

Staff feels the beach access should be waived because there is a beach access right there at Samson park,” explained assistant city manager Jorge Vera. “People crossing at 174th Street use the light and go right through the park to the beach.

”Mayor Norman S. Edelcup pointed out, “Typically, beach accesses are required with each property - but whenever there is a building adjacent to [an existing] public access or the access presents a safety problem - the requirement is no longer a mandate.

”The city’s beach access points have recently become a means of honoring civic activists who have contributed to the success of Sunny Isles Beach. The Ellen Wynne beach access at 192nd Street and Collins Avenue was the city's first public access way, originally created as a way to facilitate beach renourishment. Wynne worked with the county to create access from Collins Avenue so trucks could go through. The access also enabled residents and tourists to reach the beach.

Other beach access points have been named to thank other residents for their dedication to the city. The Commission recently named the access at 189th Street and Collins Avenue after Cecile Sippin, who served on the Sunny Isles Beach planning advisory committee that helped draft the city’s original Comprehensive Plan. The access at 178th Street and Collins Avenue is named after the late Walter Bresslour; and the access at 191st Street and Collins is named after the late Bill Lone, who served as president of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association and Renaissance Council.

‘Green With Envy’

Beyond requiring developers to provide beach access for the public, the advent of TDR’s (transfer of development rights) has facilitated the creation of more parks and green open space in Sunny Isles Beach. At the Nov. 16 Commission meeting, the purchase of approximately one acre of land at 500 Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard was approved for the purpose of creating yet another park in the city. According to city staff, appraisals indicate the property is valued above the $3 million purchase price.Other new parks recently acquired by the city include a 3.8 acre site at 19200 Collins Avenue; the 3.17 acre Town Center park at 172nd Street and Collins Avenue; the .017 acre park at Golden Shores; and the 2.41 acre parcel running from Town Center park parallel to 172nd Street just behind the Salem House. The active park, coming soon to North Bay Road and 181st Drive by the future site of the city’s new K-8 public school as well as the existing Samson oceanfront park and Sen. Gwen Margolis Park are also testaments to the city’s goal to keep enhancing the city with more parks wherever possible.
From Sunny Serenade concerts, picnics and holiday festivities – to soccer matches, playground time and fun in the sun, Sunny Isles Beach parks are an integral facet of promoting unity and a greater sense of community.

The city’s Cultural and Human Services Department would certainly have a hard time planning all the numerous monthly events and activities residents are invited to enjoy if there weren’t any parks to hold them at…So the next time you’re dancing at one of the outdoor concerts, watching your child playing safely, cheering on the city’s championship soccer team or just relaxing with friends on beautiful day beneath shady trees – feel great knowing anyone who doesn’t live in Sunny Isles Beach is probably “green with envy!” According to the National Recreation and Park Association, while fun, happiness, and play are vital to growth and development, the expanded role of public parks and recreation is more critical than ever. Programs, services, events, and opportunities offered by local park and recreation agencies positively impact our lives and the society as a whole...

*Public parks provide Americans with the opportunity to be physically active. Physical activity is an essential part of an individual’s efforts to stay healthy, fight obesity and prevent chronic conditions that lead to coronary disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Having close-to-home access to places where one can recreate is one of the most important factors linking whether people will become active and stay that way.

*Parks have true economic benefits. Proximity to a community park improves property value. The economic benefits of park and recreation areas are manifold, but one of the most significant is the increase in value of private land adjacent or near protected public land. The proximity of parks to residential areas leads to increased value of private land, a higher tax base and ultimately many economic benefits to a community.

*Parks provide vital green space in a fast-developing American landscape, and provide vegetative buffers to construction and development, thus reducing the effects of sprawl.

*Parks and recreation facilitate social interactions that are critical to maintaining community cohesion and pride. Parks provide a meeting place where community members can develop social ties. People can gather to share experiences, socialize and to build community bonds in common green spaces. These public commons are often the glue that holds the community together and the means to maintaining and improving future positive social interactions.

*Leisure activities in parks improve moods, reduce stress and enhance a sense of wellness. In an increasingly complex world, more and more people are placing a high value on achieving the feelings of relaxation and peacefulness that contact with nature, recreation and exposure to natural open spaces bring. People go to the park to get in a better mood, to reinvigorate themselves and to decrease the anxieties of daily life.

*Recreational programs provide organized, structured, enjoyable activities for all ages. The diverse range of recreational programs offered by public park and recreation agencies offers all Americans the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to successfully and confidently engage in sports, dance, crafts and other social activities.

*Public parks embody the American tradition of preserving public lands for the benefit and use of all. Since the creation of the first national park and the subsequent development and growth of state, regional and local park systems in virtually every part of our nation, Americans have had a special relationship with their parks and public lands. A love of parks is one of the defining characteristics of our national identity. Americans love their parks, historical sites, national monuments, recreation areas and public open spaces because they bring such joy and pleasure to all people.

TOP