Cutler Bay Continues Expansion of Lakes by the Bay Hardwood Hammock with Phase II

Cutler Bay, FL — September 2025 — The Town of Cutler Bay has completed the second phase of the Lakes by the Bay Hardwood Hammock Project, adding 76 native canopy trees to one of the community’s most cherished parks. This milestone was made possible through a $33,735 Growing Roots for Environmentally Equitable Neighborhoods (GREEN) Matching Grant from Miami-Dade County’s Neat Streets program, which the Town matched with local funds.

What began as a resident-led idea in 2016 through the Town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has now blossomed into a thriving tropical hardwood hammock that provides shade, wildlife habitat, and resilience benefits for generations to come.

Phase I of the project was completed in 2022, when 73 trees were planted, 52 with the support of a Neat Streets Miami grant and 21 with Town funds. Phase II, completed in 2024, added 76 more canopy trees along walking trails and benches, further expanding and restoring this critical habitat.

Together, these efforts are restoring one of South Florida’s most threatened ecosystems while also creating a more comfortable and enjoyable park experience for residents and visitors.

“This project represents the very best of what happens when community vision, County partnerships, and Town leadership come together,” said Mayor Tim Meerbott. “The Lakes by the Bay hardwood hammock is not just about trees — it’s about creating a healthier, cooler, and more resilient Cutler Bay.”

The Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with its landscaping contractor, will continue maintaining the trees to ensure their long-term health. In addition to cooling the park and enhancing its natural beauty, the hardwood hammock plays a critical role in protecting biodiversity and advancing the Town’s Green Master Plan.

For more information about Lakes by the Bay Park, visit https://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/parksrec/page/lakes-bay-park