South Miami residents urge city leaders to keep historic park in place amid redevelopment plans

Some South Miami residents and environmental advocates are urging city leaders to keep Jean Willis Park in its current location as officials continue planning a major redevelopment project that could include relocating the park.Members of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society have launched an online petition urging the South Miami City Commission to reconsider proposals to relocate the park to a site a block away, near The Underline."For me, what it would say is parks are expendable," said Suzanne Koptur, a member of the group.Supporters of the park argue the current site, adjacent to City Hall, offers a quieter, greener space than the proposed location."Every time you talk, you have to stop every time a train goes overhead because you'll be right next to it," said Stephen Pearson of the Tropical Flowering Tree Society. "We have tons of concrete in this town. What we don't have is enough trees in good parks."The debate comes as South Miami works through a comprehensive redevelopment plan