The Underline
Friends of The Underline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and operates a 10-mile, 120-acre linear park and urban trail beneath Miami's Metrorail, connecting 8 transit stations from Brickell to Dadeland with free public recreation, programming, and public art funded by government, corporate, and philanthropic partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCoral Gables, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Underline does
Friends of The Underline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and operates a 10-mile, 120-acre linear park and multi-modal urban trail built on the land beneath Miami-Dade County's Metrorail, stretching from Brickell to Dadeland and connecting 8 transit stations. The organization was founded in 2014 by Meg Daly after a cycling accident drew attention to underutilized transit-adjacent land, and its first phase (Brickell Backyard) opened to the public in February 2021. Construction proceeds in three county-coordinated phases, with Phase 3 (7.36 miles, $140M+, expected 2026) currently in build-out by NV2A Central Joint Venture and integrated with Florida Power & Light undergrounding work.
The core product is a free public corridor of bike and pedestrian paths, native-plant landscaping, stormwater management, public art installations, and 20+ programmed destinations including the River Room, Urban Gym, Hammock Playground, Vizcaya Station Plaza, Rain Garden, Microforests, and the Chewy Bark Park. Layered on the physical infrastructure are recurring free programs such as UYoga and UStrength (Baptist Health-powered), CinderFit community workouts, the Global Music Series (Bank of America-presented), PAWS pet programming, the Green Leaders Apprenticeship with Miami Dade College, the Generation Green Park Protege program, and an Artist-in-Residence program launched with the Knight Foundation. Free high-speed WiFi is deployed to bridge the digital divide in adjacent under-resourced neighborhoods, a model featured by the Brookings Institution.
Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic and public channels rather than user fees: donations and individual giving (including Give Miami Day, where $183,000+ was raised in 2022), corporate event and facility sponsorships (Bank of America, FPL, Chewy, Baptist Health), foundation and corporate grants (USDA Forest Service $2M urban forestry grant, TD Bank $300K microforest grant, Honda $100K safety grant, Knight Foundation, Miami Foundation $90K, Peacock Foundation, Publix Charities $100K, plus multi-year gifts from 13th Floor/Adler/Lefrak), and direct government capital investment by Miami-Dade County DTPW. The Underline Store (branded merchandise) and Inter Bike rental service are minor commercial experiments. The organization is governed by a board chaired by founder Meg Daly with CEO Eulois Cleckley (former Miami-Dade DTPW Director), supported by President/COO Patrice Gillespie Smith, CMO Lisle Bowen, and CDO Leana Cianfoni.
The Underline firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Underline
- Legal name
- Friends of The Underline
- Website
- https://theunderline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Friends of The Underline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and operates a 10-mile, 120-acre linear park and urban trail beneath Miami's Metrorail, connecting 8 transit stations from Brickell to Dadeland with free public recreation, programming, and public art funded by government, corporate, and philanthropic partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Underline industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Parks & Urban Green Space
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)
Keywords
Where The Underline is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Coral Gables
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Underline business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants support operations, programming, and capital development. The organization conducts fundraising campaigns including Give Miami Day and special events like the Sneaker Ball.
- Government Funding: Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works provides public funding for construction and infrastructure. Phase 3 is a $140M+ urban park and trail project with county investment.
- Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors fund specific programs and events including the Global Music Series presented by Bank of America, fitness programming by Baptist Health, and facility sponsorship (FPL Sound Stage).
- Partnership Grants: Foundation and corporate grants support specific initiatives: TD Bank microforest grant ($300,000), USDA Forest Service urban forestry grant ($2 million), Honda USA Foundation safety grant ($100,000).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free Public Access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Underline product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Underline operates a 10-mile linear park and urban trail built on 120 acres beneath Miami's Metrorail, providing a free public multi-modal corridor connecting Brickell to Dadeland. The park combines pedestrian/bike trails, public art installations, green spaces, and community programming (yoga, fitness, music series, art activations) for visitors across Miami-Dade County. The organization also operates community programs, educational apprenticeships, and an online merchandise store.
Product overview
The Underline is Miami's 10-mile linear park and urban trail transforming 120 acres beneath the Metrorail into a multi-modal mobility corridor spanning from Brickell to Dadeland. The core offering combines physical infrastructure (bike/pedestrian paths, trails, green spaces) with programmatic services including fitness classes (UYoga, UStrength, CinderFit), educational programs (Green Leaders, Generation Green Park Protege), public art (Artist-in-Residence, Typoe Sculpture Garden), community events (Global Music Series, PAWS pet programming), and neighborhood engagement (Neighborhood Ambassador Program). Key destinations include River Room, Urban Gym, Hammock Playground, Vizcaya Station Plaza, Rain Garden, Chewy Bark Park, and more. The Underline Store offers branded merchandise, while Inter Bike provides bike access services. Development proceeds in three phases: Phase 1 (Brickell Backyard) opened February 2021, Phase 2 (Hammock Trail) opened April 2024, and Phase 3 (final 7 miles to Dadeland) is under construction with 2026 completion expected.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Underline Linear Park & Urban Trail Miami's 10-mile linear park and urban trail transforming 120 acres beneath the Metrorail into a multi-modal transportation corridor connecting Brickell to Dadeland, featuring bike paths, pedestrian trails, public green space, and community amenities. Free public access for all Miami-Dade residents and visitors.
- Brickell Backyard (Phase 1) Phase 1 segment of The Underline spanning from the Miami River to Coral Way, featuring the River Room, Urban Gym, The Promenade, Inter Stage, and 11th St. Plaza destinations.
- Hammock Trail (Phase 2)
Companies that use The Underline
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Underline technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Underline partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Baptist Health South FloridacoreBaptist Health powers free yoga and fitness programming at The Underline, including UYoga classes at Inter Stage and Vizcaya Station Plaza. The partnership provides health and wellness opportunities to the community at no cost.
- Bank of AmericacorePresenting sponsor of The Underline's Global Music Series with a $90,000 grant, bringing multicultural musical performances to the Brickell Backyard. Also named 2024 Neighborhood Builder Honoree with multiyear grant support.
- Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public WorkscoreGovernment partner overseeing construction and infrastructure development. Phase 3 construction awarded to NV2A Central Joint Venture with county approval. DTPW Director Eulois Cleckley previously joined Friends of The Underline as CEO.
- CinderFitcoreMiami-based fitness brand hosts monthly community workouts at The Underline Sound Stage and Plaza. Workouts include cardio, strength training, and stretching for all skill levels, powered by Baptist Health.
- AirbnbmajorPartnered with Nasdaq to fund Typoe sculpture garden installation at The Underline during Art Basel, creating a vibrant gathering space celebrating Miami's diverse culture.
- NasdaqmajorPartnered with Airbnb to create public art installation celebrating Miami's entrepreneurial spirit and local artists.
- The Underline ConservancycoreBoard meets regularly to discuss operations, management, and stewardship of The Underline. Virtual meetings held monthly via Zoom.
- Friends of Miami Animals FoundationcorePartners to offer free dog training classes and pet programming. PAWS at The Underline is a monthly series promoting animal welfare.
- James Corner Field OperationscoreLandscape architecture firm designed the Brickell Backyard, The Underline's first phase, winning Rethinking The Future Awards.
- Swire PropertiescoreConnected to The Underline at Brickell City Centre. Kieran Bowers, President of Swire Properties, was keynote speaker at ULI Florida Summit visiting The Underline.
- NV2A Central Joint VenturecoreDesign-build construction team approved by Miami-Dade County for Phase 3 construction (7.36 miles from SW 19th Avenue to Dadeland South).
- Terra GroupcoreJoint venture with Grass River Property for Grove Central development adjacent to The Underline at Coconut Grove Metrorail station. Integration with linear park corridor.
- Grass River PropertycoreJoint venture with Terra Group for Grove Central development adjacent to The Underline at Coconut Grove Metrorail station. Integration with linear park corridor.
- Related CompaniescoreSteven Ross, Chairman of Related Companies, participated in ULI Florida Summit. Jordan Bargas, SVP at Related Companies, elected to Board of Directors.
- Florida Power and Light (FPL)coreCoordinating undergrounding of transmission lines with Phase 2 construction. Sponsoring Sound Stage and Plaza at The Underline.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Underline competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Underline social profiles
Digital presenceThe Underline financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Underline leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Underline funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Underline M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Underline
What does The Underline do?
The Underline operates a 10-mile linear park and urban trail built on 120 acres beneath Miami's Metrorail, providing a free public multi-modal corridor connecting Brickell to Dadeland. The park combines pedestrian/bike trails, public art installations, green spaces, and community programming (yoga, fitness, music series, art activations) for visitors across Miami-Dade County. The organization also operates community programs, educational apprenticeships, and an online merchandise store.
Is The Underline a public or private company?
The Underline is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Underline founded?
The Underline was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Underline based?
The Underline is headquartered in Coral Gables, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Underline make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are government Funding, event Sponsorships and partnership Grants.
Does The Underline have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Underline.
What industry is The Underline in?
The Underline's product category is Public Parks & Urban Green Space. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAGAF, Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized). Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 7900.