SPARC - social and public art resource center

Murals in Little Haiti

Above are some of the colorful murals that give Little Haiti that extra flavor. Hand painted murals on the exterior of the commercial facades adds to the community identity. The community's cultural vibrancy is apparent in the colors and aesthetics that are clearly depicted on the commercial store fronts. This kind of signage/murals are unique to Little Haiti. The amount of hand painted murals exposed to commercial frontage is distinctive to Little Haiti. No other community in Miami, has this unique idiosyncratic cultural flavor. Vibrant botanicas and buzzing corner markets and blaring record stores not contributing sounds smells and sights all unmistakeably Little Haiti.

Site - Eaton Park

Eaton Park is a small city park behind the Lemon City Library. The park is composed of a large ball field and a small children's play ground. There are 3 shade trees, comfortable sitting areas are limited. Across the street next to the rail road tracks there are two basket ball courts. This area of the park needs the most improvement.

The Lemon City Branch Library is one of the oldest public libraries in South Florida. The original building was erected in 1902

Site - Circulation

Eaton Park is located on the East Bound side of NE 62 Street. It is Bordered by the old railroad tracks and 2 blocks away from Biscayne Blvd.

Site - Tree Canopy

The tree canopy is clearly in the private sector. There are no street trees lining major arterial or secondary roads within the neighborhood

Site-Open Space

Eaton Park is the only public park facility in the area. The additional open spaces are empty lots

Community Analysis

Despite the blighted sections of Little Haiti, it is a vibrant and lively cultural enclave. A walk down the main street on NE 2nd Ave will allow a visitor to experience the distinct Caribbean-Francophone flavor. The colors, sights, sounds and smells of Haitian culture ;Botanicas blaring Caribbean music, small corner stores selling goods and the aromatic blend of spices from local eateries will take over your senses.
Little Haiti was once the Historical Lemon City a working class neighborhood that was established in the early 1900's. The area had many lemon groves from where the town took its name. The town even had its own railway depot on the Florida East Coast Railroad. In 1925, Lemon City was annexed by Miami, along with the town of Little River to the north, and the town of Buena Vista to the south

Nodes

The major nodes of confluence are Miami Eddison Middle and High School, Catholic Charities, NE 54th Street Between North Miami Ave to NE 2 AVe
and Main Street - NE 2 Ave between 54th street and 60th street

Community Contributors

Little Haiti's community contributors are
Schools - Miami Eddison Middle and High, ArchBishop Curly High School, Le Touissant Elem.,
Hospital - Miami Jewish Hospitol and Home,
Parks- Soccer Park,
Cultural center,

Open Space

Open Spaces and Parks

Parks

All the parks in Little Haiti are mostly open play fields with very little vegetation
( shade trees, and understory). They are mostly empty during the day.
Even the newly constructed soccer park, is rarely occupied during daylight hours. Except for the Soccer park , Legions park and Eaton park all play fields are associated with a school.

MainStreet

NE 2nd Ave between 54th Street and 62 street is Little Haiti's Main Street. This small strip is comprised of small locally owned Haitian business.
Restaurants, a Haitian book store, a Catholic Church, Botanicas, and small corner markets.

The Design District situated between North Miami Ave and NE 1st Ave, and NE 39th street and 41st Street, is a small commerical design district. It is home to nearly 130 art galleries, showrooms, creative services, stores, eateries and bars.