By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The City of Coral Gables July 4th fireworks is among the most iconic Independence Day celebrations in all of South Florida, drawing tens of thousands of residents and visitors to the Biltmore Hotel every year. This year, Mayor Vince Lago said the city expects as many as 40,000 people to attend.

Fireworks tradition meets environmental concern

So it likely came as a bit of surprise to some members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to hear the continuation of the event questioned at their June 11 meeting.

“I think one of the things that will… that’ll be discussed as we move forward in the future… environmentally is whether you continue with the fireworks, or whether you just have the drones,” said Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro.

According to Earth.org, “Chemicals from fireworks do not just disappear into thin air… (the chemical) reaction produces two results: short-lived entertainment and toxic atmospheric pollutants.”

“The temporary enjoyment of fireworks releases a host of contaminants that affect air quality and can contribute to climate change, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter,” the website states.

Even so, at least one board member was not ready to call it quits on what could be the city’s signature event.

“(Maybe) when Washington DC and Boston and Philadelphia stop with fireworks, I guess, is a good time for us to stop, but as long as they have it, so will we,” said Board member Kirk Menendez.

Drone show returns as budget questions loom

Couceyro was answering questions about the show and was asked about the budget ramifications in light of potential budget cuts the city could face if statewide property tax reform is approved by voters in November.

“Right now it doesn’t look like the funding is affected for next year. So next fiscal year, we should be good if the budget stays the way it is,” Couceyro said, before mentioning the environmental considerations.

Although the fireworks show has been ongoing for decades at the Biltmore, the city took a six-year hiatus beginning in 2006 as a result of the economic downturn. The extravaganza has continued uninterrupted since returning in 2012.

This year’s celebration will once again feature the combination of a traditional fireworks display and a drone show, a format the city debuted last year to considerable fanfare. Couceyro told board members the city plans to largely replicate the successful format used in 2025, coordinating the two presentations to create a seamless visual experience.

The drone component of the show will cost approximately $40,000 this year, an increase from last year’s introductory pricing.

The overall Independence Day celebration, including entertainment, staging, fireworks, drones and associated event costs, remains one of the city’s largest annual special events and a centerpiece of Coral Gables’ holiday programming.

Ponce Circle Park redesign remains in public-input phase

The board also received an update on the proposed redesign of Ponce Circle Park, one of several major downtown projects currently moving through the city’s planning process.

Couceyro told board members that the concept has already been presented to the City Commission and that public comments are being accepted through June 30 before staff evaluates potential refinements to the design.

The proposal envisions a more active and integrated downtown park featuring expanded green space, a performance area, improved gathering spaces and stronger connections to surrounding development. Couceyro said the long-term goal is to transform the park into a destination that serves residents, visitors and nearby businesses.

“The thought is that it’ll end up being integrated and it’ll be a very busy park,” he said.

Board members generally reacted favorably to the plans, with discussion focusing less on the design itself and more on practical considerations such as pedestrian safety, future maintenance requirements, construction materials and how the park will function as downtown Coral Gables continues to grow.

Several members stressed the importance of improving pedestrian access and safety around the site, particularly given increasing traffic and development activity in the area. Others suggested the board revisit the project after the public comment period closes so members can review community feedback before making any formal recommendations.

City staff indicated that while the overall concept has already received commission support, the project remains in the public input phase and could return to the advisory board if substantial changes emerge from the ongoing review process.