Jean Willis Park

Vol. 6, No. 1 22 February 2026

THREATENED GEM

I have spent some time trying to find out the history of Jean Willis Park. I do know that Jean Willis was present when the park was dedicated to her.

I got the following from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g_XbEYPaqUA 

"Jean Willis was a former South Miami City Commissioner who served from 1956 to 1978. She is remembered for her focus on beautification during her political career.  Jean Willis Park, a green space in South Miami, is named in her honor. She passed away in August 2001. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• First Woman Commissioner: Jean Willis was the first woman to serve as a commissioner in South Miami. 

• Focus on Beautification: Her political career was largely defined by her efforts to improve the city's appearance, particularly through landscaping and park development. 

• Jean Willis Park: The park, located next to the South Miami Police Department, was named after her in 1992. It features a gazebo, picnic tables, and walking trails. 

• Death: Jean Willis passed away in August 2001. 

• Recognition: She is remembered for her contributions to the city and her dedication to making South Miami a more beautiful place. "

I wrote a memorandum to Suramy Cabrera, the City's Development Service Director, on October 6, 2025. My memo goes into some of the signifcance and possibilities of this green space. It can be read by clicking here. To date, I have had no reponse. The petition I mentioned in that letter was delivered to the Commission on October 21 along with letters from the Tropical Audubon Society and The Miami Garden Club. At that meeting I commented on the Commission's plans to "relocate Jean Willis Park."  As far as I know, there has been no response by the City administration nor the Commission to any of these documents.

South Miami has created protection for trees in Section 20-4.5 of its Land Development Code. In this Section, the criteria for designating a tree a Heritage Tree are specified. Any such designated Heritage Tree is protected: "only the City Commission may approve the removal, relocation or replacement of a heritage ... tree."

Since other appeals to the Commission seem to have fallen on dead ears, I propose

» (1) that every flowering tree in Jean Willis Park become a Heritage Tree. I have been told that moving mature trees, if they can be moved, is at least a six-months' process of root-pruning and watering. And that this is a VERY expensive process. There are trees - some of them quite rare - that can not be moved no matter what process is used. I havebeen told that their roots are too shallow to withstand relocation. Were those trees Heritage Trees, each one would need a to have a resolution passed by the Commission in order for it to be cut down or relocated.

  »  (2) that each tree be championed by one person who goes through the process of requesting that the tree be so designated.

From what I know there is still time to bring these requests to the Commission. I heard the only proposal to redevelop the City Hall complex that the City received was found inadequate. If/when in the future the Jean Willis Heritage Trees might be removed or relocated, the Commision at that time would have to pass resolutions specifically to enable the process.

Even if the current Commission decides not to grant any Heritage Tree designations, the process of doing so will present a lot of opinions directly to them.

THE PROCESS

No where has the City detailed how to go about requesting a Heritage Tree designation. This is the process that I have discovered:

  »  (1) Complete an Application for Heritage Tree Designation. Include two copies of the site plan of the Park with the position of the tree marked.

  »  (2) Have the signature of the applicant notarized. This can be done at City Hall by the City Clerk or her assistant.

  »  (3) Attach pictures of the tree and some specifics about its specialness. Explain reasons for protecting this particular tree in this particular place. (I was able to find online a formula for estimating the age of a live oak tree.)

 »  (4) Be prepared to go and speak at the Commission Meeting when the tree is on the agenda. I have found that I get better information if I call or email City officials about the progress of requests. One person to follow up with is Suramy Caberera, Suramy.Cabrera@SoMiFL.gov. The City's web site posts the agenda for every Commission meeting - usually the Thursday before the meeting. The Commission meets every first and third Tuesday of the month.

AN OPTION

It seems to me that an option to moving the park is to leave it where it is. Then locate garages and buildings near the Underline where the Commission has suggested the park could go. The Underline, unfortunately, is not a safe a place to sit or to exercise (unless there is no traffic on US 1). With the tall buildings that have been proposed and the MetroRail itself, the sunlight for the trees is going to be dimished wherever it is placed.

More about this proposal and an option is available here.

I have tried to make this as complete as possible without too many digressions. The October 6th issue of Sally's Notice has more about what is or is not being planned. Please contact me if you have questions that I might be able to answer.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND HELP!!

Keep safe, stay healthy!