In 2018, Lime became the first micromobility operator to offer an opt-in donation module allowing riders to round up the cost of each trip and donate the spare change to a community organization of their choice. Since then, nearly 40 local nonprofits have been added to the growing list of charitable recipients.

We’re proud to have Friends of The Underline as our local Lime Hero partner in Miami, Florida. Friends of The Underline are transforming the underutilized land below Miami’s MetroRail into a 10-mile linear park, world-class urban trail and public art destination.

We spoke with Meg Daly, President and CEO of Friends of The Underline, so she could tell us more about the exciting Brickell Backyard opening and the progress they’re making on the next phases.

What is The Underline?

The Underline will connect communities, improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety, create over 120 acres of open space with restored natural habitats, encourage a healthy lifestyle, provide an easily accessible place to exercise, create a mobility corridor that integrates transit, car, biking and walking, provide a 10-mile canvas for artistic expression, attract development along US1, and generate significant economic impact.

How did the idea for The Underline get started?

In 2013, I broke both of my arms and since I could not drive myself to physical therapy, I decided to take the Metrorail and then walk the rest of the way underneath the train tracks. I noticed how wide the corridor was and how much space there was —and also that I was the only person using the space.

I formed Friends of The Underline, a non-profit to transform this underutilized land through a partnership with Miami-Dade County, along with an engaged board of directors, public and private donors, hundreds of volunteers, and support from programs like Lime Hero.

That’s very exciting! How much progress has been made so far?

We are building! The Underline opened our first section of the park underneath the Miami Metro Rail last month. This first phase, called the Brickell Backyard, is six years in the making, and has numerous features including public art, dog-friendly areas, and native landscaping that attracts butterflies, bees and birds.. We’ve built the Urban Gym which has a half basketball court, and soccer and exercise areas, and The Promenade which has a sound stage, 50-foot dining table, and tables for chess and checkers.

What will Phase 2 consist of?

Phase 2 is currently in the pre-design stage and once completed, it will stretch 2.14 miles from SW 13th Street to SW 19th Avenue. Some of the features include a nature playground, the Vizcaya Station Plaza for health and wellness programs, including a sensory garden and lots of green infrastructure like bioswales to help with stormwater runoff.

How can Lime riders get involved?

First, please be sure to join the Lime Hero program in Miami! It’s wonderful that Lime makes it so easy for riders to round up the cost of your scooter trips so you can make small donations to Friends of The Underline. The more riders who are enrolled, the more funds will be raised for this project.

You can make donations to support our work and if you’re able to make larger contributions to support The Underline we have options like honoring or memorializing someone with a personalized plaque on a bench in Brickell Backyard or adopting one of the many beautiful trees throughout the park to memorialize a loved one with a marker..

Photo credit: Robin Hill ©2020

About Lime Hero

Our Lime Hero program lets riders round up the cost of each ride and support a local charitable cause. Donate a slice of your Lime ride and give back! You can visit li.me/en-us/programs/lime-hero to learn more or sign up for Lime Hero in the Lime app.