Sometimes government spends years searching for the next great project when the biggest opportunity has been sitting right in front of it all along. Recently, I joined Miami-Dade County Commissioner JC Bermudez atop a closed landfill in western Miami-Dade County. I know what you’re thinking: a lan dfill doesn’t sound like an inspiring destination. But once you reach the summit, everything changes. The view is extraordinary. You can see the Miami skyline, watch planes depart from Miami International Airport, look west toward Florida International University, and appreciate just how rapidly this part of our county continues to grow. Standing there, I wasn’t looking at a landfill. I was looking at the future. The property spans approximately 540 acres, rises nearly 90 feet above the surrounding landscape, and includes a 35-acre wetland that could become part of a unique environmental and recreational destination. To put that into perspective, Tropical Park encompasses about 275 acres and Tamiami Park about 247 acres. This site alone is larger than either of those beloved parks. Now add the proposed 47-acre Miami-Dade Regional Soccer Park planned next door, and the county has the opportunity to create a 587-acre regional destination — the largest regional park in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Think about that for a moment. Nearly 600 acres of public land where families can walk, run, ride bicycles, play sports, enjoy nature, and create memories for generations. The possibilities are remarkable: miles of trails, cross-country courses for local schools, mountain biking, equestrian facilities, nature walks through protected wetlands, tournament-quality soccer fields, pickleball and tennis courts, and a modern recreation center featuring a gymnasium, indoor running track, meeting rooms, and community programming. On weekends, this could become one of Miami-Dade County’s busiest recreational destinations. Families would gather; young athletes would compete; runners would train; seniors would exercise, and children would have room to play. Residents would finally gain another premier outdoor destination in a county that continues to grow every year. Perhaps the most remarkable part is that this opportunity has existed for decades. The landfill opened in 1952 and accepted municipal solid waste until 1982. It later received construction debris and other approved materials before permanently closing on Jan. 23, 1995. For more than 30 years, this property has been waiting for its second chapter. The Regional Soccer Park also has been years in the making. In 2012, the county commission approved the original concept, which included eight soccer fields, a stadium, and a sports academy. In 2014, Miami-Dade voters approved a charter amendment allowing additional amenities. Four years later, commissioners directed the administration to move forward with a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop and operate the complex. Since then, the vision has grown. Commissioner Bermudez and District 12 have expanded the concept beyond soccer into a true regional destination featuring tournament fields, tennis and pickleball courts, a multi-purpose recreation center, an indoor running track, and community event space. In 2025, Miami-Dade Parks hosted an Industry Day to gather ideas from the development community before issuing the RFP. The response was encouraging. Developers attended and innovative ideas were presented. Interest was strong. Yet nearly a year later, the RFP still has not been released. That is the frustrating part. Miami-Dade County does not need another study, another presentation, or another year of delay. Residents have waited long enough for bold public spaces that match the scale of our growth. It needs action now. The greatest advantage is that the county already owns the land. There is no need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars acquiring property. The opportunity already exists, waiting to be transformed. Other communities have demonstrated what is possible. Virginia Beach transformed a former landfill into Mount Trashmore Park, now one of its most popular public spaces. Across the country, municipalities have converted former landfill sites into parks, trails, and recreational destinations enjoyed by residents every day. Miami-Dade has the opportunity to do even more — and it should not let that opportunity slip away. We talk constantly about improving quality of life. Parks are essential to that mission. They promote healthier communities, bring families together, provide children with places to play, and offer residents meaningful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. They become landmarks that define communities for generations. Standing atop that hill with Commissioner Bermudez, I was not thinking about what had been buried there decades ago. I was thinking about what could rise there decades from now: families walking the trails, youth soccer tournaments drawing thousands of visitors, charity races, community festivals, and residents enjoying one of Miami-Dade County’s most spectacular views. Government rarely gets the chance to turn unused public land into a once-in-a-generation community asset. This is that chance. The land is ready. The public benefit is obvious. The vision is within reach. What is missing is the urgency to make it happen. Release the RFP, break ground, and transform this landfill into a landmark worthy of Miami-Dade’s future. Our residents, our families, and our next generation deserve nothing less.     ABOUT US: For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. 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