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Save Jean Willis Flowering Tree Park
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi
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Email the South Miami City Commission to tell them to keep Jean Willis Park where it is currently located. Add your name and personalize the email, it takes one minute. Press the button or copy the text
I implore the City Commission to allow Jean Willis Park to remain in its current location, 7220 SW 61st Ct. I do not want either the park, or the Sylva Martin building near Town Hall, to be destroyed. Both are essential to the history and character of the municipal government complex.
I’m calling on you to reject proposed ordinance S. 10 on tonight’s agenda – it would lead to the destruction of Jean Willis Park.
Miami Dade’s first Flowering Tree Park, a project of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society, initiated nearly 34 years ago and led by Larry Schokman and Steve Pearson, is again under dire threat of development that will result in its destruction.
Jean Willis Park was intended to be enjoyed by all, through future generations. Its significance should not be ignored: It honors the memory of South Miami’s first female Commissioner.
It is your responsibility to preserve the park for the public good and in the location where it was created and dedicated.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
South Miami is about to sign a 99-year lease with a developer for about 670 apartments, two 16 stories high towers on the City Hall site. The plan moves our public 1975 flowering tree park, and the only protection for its trees is two words: "best efforts". It takes one minute to ask the Commission to leave the park where it is and not approve the lease.
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi
What the Lease Actually Says
The park is to be “relocated”. The developer must use only “best efforts to preserve and relocate” its trees (Phase 1 lease, Section 3.6(c).
In 113 pages, the words “arborist”, “canopy” and “heritage” never appear. There is no tree inventory, no survival standard, and no consequence if moved trees die.
The park’s size is a blank line: “the ____ acre City-owned park.
The City Attorney’s memo says the lease is still being negotiated, and a second vote will follow. The basic homework has not been done, so there is no reason to approve it now.
The park was completed in 1979 by volunteers and members of The Tropical Flowering Tree Society and it is the first tropical flowering tree park in Miami-Dade. Brownie Troop 418 planted a tree here on Earth Day in 1990; South Miami High students built the pergola in 2013.
Source: The City’s own agenda packs for the Sept. 22, 2026 meeting, item 13 (City Attorney memo, Term Sheet, Phase 1 Ground Lease). the bulldozers in the City of South Miami!
Save Jean Willis Flowering Tree Park from the bulldozers
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi
Save South Miami
Preserve our Public Parks, Historical buildings and quality of life.
1935 Historic silva Martin Building
New Deal Era masterpiece of Midcentury architecture by the Fink family, famous for Venetian Pool and other Miami historical landmarks. Surrounded by mature tree canopy.
1975 Public land dedicated to become jean Willis Park 1979
Founded in 1975, dedicated in 1979 by Commissioner Jean Willis, plaque reads "The City of South Miami extends gratitude and appreciation to The Tropical Flowering Tree Society for the design and planting of Jean Willis Park" .63 acres of public land and 60-79 mature , irreplaceable tropical flowering trees.
1990 Memorial Gazebo
Built by hand by a City employee, the father of former Mayor, as a memorial for murdered Commissioner
2013 South Miami High School Shop Students201
Handmade gates built by South Miami High School Shop students
In the Media
THE MIAMI HERALD
A Miami-Dade city plans to move a park, and residents are fighting for its trees
THE REAL DEAL
13th Floor seeks approval for $309M South Miami city hall redevelopment amid pushback over park relocation
SALLY'S NOTICE
Good Bye Tree City USA
SOMI MAG
The Scent and Sense of Parks
ONLINE OR IN PERSON IAT SOUTH MIAMI CITY HALL
Socials
Sign the petition
Stop the bulldozers at Jean Willis Flowering Tree Park, home to Federally Protected Migratory Birds, Wildlife and Pollinators, beloved by residents and visitors from around the world. Relocation is in "name only"!
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi
Sign the petition to Save Jean Willis Tropical Flowering Tree Park, leave the park where it is and stop the destruction of this irreplaceable habitat and oasis.
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi
Email the South Miami City Commission to tell them to keep Jean Willis Park where it is currently located. Add your name and personalized the email, it takes one minute.
Save Jean Willis Park, South Miami’s first and only Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, founded in 1975, Save our Public Parks and historical buildings from reckless development in The City of SoMi