Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest Officially Opens on The Underline in South Miami
The Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest officially opened Saturday, August 15, marking the debut of The Underline's first designated playground amenity in South Miami. Located adjacent to South Miami City Hall at 6130 Sunset Drive, the new space gives children and families a dedicated destination for outdoor play and connection with nature, made possible by a $500,000 gift from Nikki Spoelstra to Friends of The Underline.
The Underline's newest section and amenity opened to families with a lively ribbon cutting celebration featuring a kids concert, face painting and microforest plantings.
The Play Forest includes log balance beams, stepping logs and natural play elements for climbing, balancing and exploring, along with musical chimes and sensory trail features. The design uses natural materials rather than traditional playground equipment, and connects directly to The Underline's bike and pedestrian path.
"This space is really about play, nature, curiosity, belonging and togetherness," said Nikki Spoelstra, a third generation Miamian inspired by childhood memories exploring Fairchild Tropical Garden with her grandmother. "I wanted to create something where children and families could feel that same sense of wonder of discovering something just around the corner, and of following your curiosity to see where it takes you."
"Nikki Spoelstra's generosity, combined with the collaboration of our municipal and county partners, is exactly the kind of public-private partnership that makes spaces like this possible," said Eulois Cleckley, CEO of Friends of The Underline. "This is what The Underline is built on."
The grand opening celebration ran from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and included a live family concert by Jam with Jamie as part of the Levitt BLOC Miami Music Series, along with face painting and arts and crafts. Families in attendance had the first opportunity to explore the new playground, which sits directly behind the South Miami Branch library. The Underline's horticulturalist team was on site, guiding attendees as they planted trees and vegetation in the microforest adjacent to the park.
The event included participation from Mack Cycle and Fitness, the Miami-Dade Public Library System, Baptist Health, Epic Party Entert
ainment, The Doodle Sisters, Pura Vida, Playa Bowls, State of Kid, Café Con Lu and Sweet Lichi's. Representatives from the City of South Miami, the City of Coral Gables, Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis's office, Commissioner Ralph Rosado's office, Miami-Dade County, and NV2A-Central JV were among those in attendance.
