A long-anticipated renovation of Phillips Park is set to move forward this fall—but not all at once. City officials have divided the project into two phases, focusing first on rebuilding the park’s core recreational areas while postponing planned improvements to the surrounding streetscape. The phased approach, formalized in the city’s construction bid documents, allows Coral Gables to reallocate funding toward urgent repairs at City Hall while still delivering a major upgrade to one of its most heavily used neighborhood parks.

Located at 90 Menores Avenue, Phillips Park has long served North Gables residents as a hub for recreation and community gatherings. The park’s existing facilities—including tennis courts, a picnic pavilion, a basketball court, and open green space—have remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. The planned redesign preserves key features while enhancing accessibility, sustainability, and the overall user experience.

A project in two phases

According to the city’s Invitation for Bids (IFB), the Phillips Park renovation will proceed in two distinct stages. Phase I covers the full redevelopment of the park itself. This includes a new ADA-compliant playground with shade canopies and synthetic turf surfacing, a resurfaced basketball court, a fenced multipurpose sports field, and a redesigned picnic lawn with benches and tables. Also planned are landscape upgrades, new site furnishings, improved drainage, and upgraded sports lighting.

Phase II focuses on roadway improvements along Menores Avenue, including realigned sidewalks, curb enhancements, and landscaping adjustments to improve pedestrian flow and visual continuity between the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Although Phase II is included in the design plan, it will not proceed at this time.

“The project will be executed in two phases,” the IFB states. “Phase I… will consist of the renovation of the park, and Phase II… will include the roadway improvements along Menores Avenue. While both phases may be performed concurrently, Phase I must be fully completed and available for public use no later than March 30, 2026.”

By structuring the project in this way, the city aims to maintain momentum on the park renovation while retaining flexibility to schedule and fund the roadway work at a later date.

What’s changing in the park

The Phase I redesign includes:

• A large new playground with climbing structures and soft, synthetic turf surfacing
• Shade sail canopies to protect visitors from the sun
• A refurbished basketball court with new goals, surfacing, and perimeter fencing
• A synthetic turf multipurpose field suitable for soccer and other sports
• A new lawn and picnic grove with updated benches, bike racks, litter bins, and drinking fountains
• ADA-compliant pathways and seating areas
• Tree preservation and new plantings using native, drought-tolerant species
• Upgraded lighting and water infrastructure

The city has also committed to minimizing environmental disruption. Contractors are required to de-compact any soil disturbed during construction to ensure healthy root growth in replanted areas. Additionally, the park’s most iconic mature trees will remain in place, protected under a detailed tree disposition plan that guides all excavation and grading.

A gateway for future upgrades

Although Phase II has been deferred, the infrastructure installed during Phase I is designed to support future streetscape improvements. For example, irrigation lines and lighting conduits will be built with enough capacity to serve the sidewalk landscaping envisioned along Menores Avenue. By integrating both phases into a single design package, the city enables future implementation without the need for major rework—even if the second phase takes place years later.

Community context and next steps

The Phillips Park upgrade is part of a broader effort to enhance public spaces across Coral Gables. In recent years, the city has invested in Catalonia Park, Salvadore Park, and plans are underway for William H. Kerdyk Jr. Park. These projects are intended not only to improve recreation but also to contribute to the city’s green infrastructure—managing stormwater, promoting walkability, and supporting community health.

With the bid window now open, contractors have until August 5 to submit proposals. The city anticipates awarding a construction contract in early fall. Groundbreaking could begin shortly thereafter, with the project scheduled for completion by March 30, 2026.

Residents near Menores Avenue should expect some construction staging and temporary closures as work gets underway. But by next spring, Phillips Park is expected to reopen as a revitalized public space—more accessible, more sustainable, and ready to serve Coral Gables for decades to come.