Matheson Hammock Park, one of Miami-Dade County’s Heritage Parks, sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Irma. WGI designed and permitted all the work necessary to restore the damaged areas of the park. Atoll pool restorations included dredging of the pool and the repair and replacement of the pool’s three culverts, interior retaining wall, stone breaker wall, and paved pedestrian walkway. The wading beach roadway required complete reconstruction along its entire length and restoration and grading of the associated picnic area.

WGI’s environmental team conducted a Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey of the atoll pool and assessed the wading beach roadway for mangrove impacts. WGI as able to meet expedited permitting schedules despite challenges due to the park’s environmental resources and historic designation. WGI obtained all federal, state, county, and city permits that were required for the project.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• WGI coordinated with the State and County to incorporate findings from a Sea Level Rise Flood Mitigation Study performed at the Park into the restoration design.
• The project’s environmentally sensitive location and the park’s historic designation presented permitting challenges.
• WGI conducted a Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey of the atoll pool. Seagrasses were present within the pool which required impact assessment and mitigation coordination with Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
• This project was on an expedited schedule since the hurricane damages left areas of the park too hazardous for public use.