While exploring Coral Gables, I discovered this pocket park directly across from the Venetian Pool…read more Pocket parks are generally less than half an acre in size and can offer a variety of amenities for the public. This type of mini park arose from a desire within communities to create spaces for outdoor recreation instead of adding more buildings or leaving land vacant.
The park is a result of the generous spirit of Lamar Louise Curry, a beloved educator, historian, storyteller, philanthropist, and longtime member of the Coral Gables Garden Club. When she passed away in 2012 at the age of 105, she left $200,000 to the Garden Club with the request that the money be used in partnership with the City of Coral Gables to beautify prominent areas with flowering plants and trees for the community to enjoy.
The triangular parcel of city owned land was officially named the Lamar Louise Curry Park on October 9, 2018 by the City Commission. After years of planning and construction, the Coral Gables Garden Club and the City held a ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling ceremony on October 15, 2022, celebrating the park and honoring Curry's legacy.
The park was designed by Michael Connor of Calvin, Giordano & Associates to reflect Curry's love of beautiful gardens. Two dwarf ylang-ylang trees frame the entrance, while the park also features lignum vitae, red orchid trees, red frangipani, white geiger trees, pink jatropha, queen's wreath vines, and her favorite, the royal poinciana, including a yellow-flowering variety. In the fall, muhly grass with waves of lilac-colored blooms surround the rock pond.
The park has paved walking paths, benches, a pond, a small wooden bridge, a drinking fountain, a mister, and oolite planters filled with additional plants. The little free library installed by the Garden Club is a welcoming touch that allows people to select a book to read in the garden.
Lamar Louise Curry known affectionately as "Miss Curry," taught social studies at Miami Senior High School for 32 years and inspired more than 6,000 students. Among those she taught were future public servants, including Senator and Governor Bob Graham and Florida Attorney General Robert Shevin. I especially admire that she had the ability to bring history to life through stories that she shared with generations of students. In August 2000, a Miami-Dade middle school was named in her honor. Curry was also deeply involved in her community and supported numerous organizations, including Bayfront Park, the Historical Museum of South Florida, the University of Miami Women's Guild, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the Marathon Garden Club, and many others.
This is a park that reflects Miss Curry's love of flowers, trees, education, and community. Wile it is a tiny pocket park it is also a peaceful spot to stop for anyone who appreciates nature. This park demonstrates how even a small space can be a meaningful community space when designed with thought and purpose. This peaceful garden filled with flowering trees, shrubs also fits in with the beautiful and historic nature of the surrounding community.