Spotlight 240827 Big Hill Election results

In the Spotlight,

A Tug-of-war with One-ton Stone Benches
How Coconut Grove Voted on Key Races

In the last week before Labor Day, the Spotlight considers a tiny park with a heavyweight tussle. Weighty matters and local color are always available on our website. And its search tool excels at finding the news you seek.

The Case of the Missing Benche s

For generations of Grove residents, the end of Royal Road has provided public water access and majestic views of Biscayne Bay. But when a neighbor complained about the wrong kind of visitors, city officials removed the park’s benches.

After City of Miami officials ordered the removal of benches at Big Hill Park, fishermen and other visitors make do any way they can. (Jenny Jacoby for the Spotlight).

by Jenny Jacoby

Three years ago, when City of Miami officials dedicated a waterfront speck of city-owned land a few blocks south of the village center at the end of Royal Road as its newest pocket park, Reynold Martin smiled with pride.

It was here that Martin and others who grew up a half century ago in the West Grove came to fish, swim, picnic and enjoy the tranquil views of Biscayne Bay.

The city’s designation brought with it both a name – Big Hill Park, a nod to the steep approach that thrilled young bike-riding visitors – and a list of improvements that included three hand-made limestone benches facing the water.

Martin’s smile didn’t last. Two years ago, barely a year after the dedication, city officials ordered the benches removed. Activists say calls and emails asking about their return have gone unanswered.

How Coconut Grove Voted

A race-by-race look at last week’s voting results from five polling locations in Coconut Grove.

by Don Finefrock

Voter turnout was low, and there were no real surprises on Election Day last week.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava easily won a second term, Miami residents voted to hire a new cop to police City Hall, and Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo once again outmaneuvered his political opponents.

Still, the primary election on Tuesday August 20 set the stage for the general election to come in November when Coconut Grove voters will pick a president, select a sheriff, and choose a candidate to represent them in the halls of Congress.

So, given the stakes, how did Coconut Grove vote last week?