Talk of the Town: Chapman Field Park Reopens, City Beautiful Awards, and More
A Helping Hand for Artists
When Ray Corral started his fund to help aspiring artists three years ago, it was before Gov. Ron DeSantis cut funding for the arts in the state of Florida. Today, with dollars for the arts in short supply, it’s needed more than ever.
Working with the Coral Gables Community Foundation to manage a charity he calls the Corral-Cathers Fund – in partnership with the city’s Arts & Culture Specialist Catherine Cathers – Corral decided to give back to the artist community. He himself is an accomplished mosaic artist who has designed hundreds of mosaics for pools around the country.
“I started as an artist, here in the city of Coral Gables, and Coral Gables accounted for a lot of my first commissions when I built my mosaic company into a successful business,” says Corral. “Something inside of me wanted to give back.”
The fund started with $50,000, with awards of $5,000 each going to 10 artists. Last month, Corral increased the fund to $65,000, so that 13 artists would receive the stipend in a ceremony held at the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum. “I decided to give $15,000 more because of the caliber of the artists we are attracting, and getting more exposure for the fund” – which Corral hopes to expand, he says. “We need to bring in more money so that we can start giving $10,000, and then $15,000 or $20,000. That begins to really change an artist’s career. So, the goal is to start building it, to open the doors for more people to participate.”
Cathers says that while $5,000 may not seem a huge sum, “it can help a significant amount, like for three months of a studio space. The money has made it possible for some of the artists to pursue residencies they were ready to turn down, or help boost showings of artwork they’ve had so they can produce more work.” The paintings and photos of more than 80 artists were reviewed in order to choose the 13 winners, she says. All were from Miami- Dade County, about half from Coral Gables. “There’s only so many resources at this time, so we’re really trying to grow the fund to support even more artists,” she adds. – J.P. Faber
Young Talent Big Dreams
The Young Talent Big Dreams competition, presented by Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre and The Children’s Trust, continues to be a cornerstone of youth arts programming in Miami-Dade. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the county-wide contest is free and open to performers ages eight to 18, offering aspiring artists a platform to compete across multiple disciplines and experience professional-level productions.
Categories include pop/rock/rap vocals, Broadway/jazz/classical vocals, dance, musical instruments, original spoken word, and original vocal/instrumental composition. Preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds are held on professional stages across the county, including Miracle Theatre, Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, and Sandrell Rivers Theater. The competition emphasizes more than performance, nurturing confidence, creative expression, and life skills in its young participants while connecting them with mentors and a supportive artistic community.
The 2025 finals were held in May at Actors’ Playhouse. Winners included Antonella Laferriere (Broadway vocals), Caitlynn & Camilah Diaz (group dance), Soleil Nation (original composition), Nina Marie (pop vocals), Nyshelle Burns (spoken word), Benjamin Baralt (instrumental solo), and the Sunset Elementary Band (group instrumentals). Prizes ranged from performing arts scholarships and masterclasses to public performance opportunities, helping the students further develop their skills.
The grand prize went to 14-year-old Tamerlan Guliyev, whose high-energy dance routine brought the audience to its feet. His performance closed out the 15th anniversary showcase on a high note, capping off an evening dedicated to celebrating the next generation of Miami-Dade talent. – Amanda Martell
The Underline Breaks New Ground in Coral Gables
The Underline, originally conceived by Coral Gables resident Meg Daly to transform the space under the elevated MetroRail, is finally reaching home. The first re-birth of this space, with pocket parks and bike paths, was launched in Downtown Miami, where the MetroRail’s southern leg begins on the southside of the Miami River.
In June, a groundbreaking ceremony held at the corner of Stanford Drive and Ponce de Leon Boulevard marked the start of construction on The Underline’s Pineland Courts & Fitness Room in Coral Gables. Sponsored by Baptist Health, the project is part of The Underline’s Phase 3 – a 7.36-mile stretch of the Metrorail corridor connecting the Gables to Dadeland with pedestrian paths, public fitness amenities, and enhanced green space. Scheduled for completion by summer 2026, the site will include four public pickleball courts, a basketball court, an outdoor gym, and a mini soccer pitch, all open to the public at no cost.
Speakers at the event included Daly, founder of Friends of The Underline, and Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, who emphasized that the $7 million in funding originated from development impact fees, not taxpayer dollars. “It’s an investment in long-term quality of life,” he said. Miami-Dade County District 7 Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado, who represents Coral Gables, lauded community engagement as central to the project’s success. Lourdes A. Boué, CEO of Doctors Hospital, reaffirmed Baptist Health’s commitment to wellness in public spaces. Added Eulois Cleckley, CEO of Friends of The Underline: “This is just one part of a bigger plan to make sure every resident can walk, bike, or take transit to the places that keep them healthy.” – Amanda Martell
Chapman Field Park Reopens
Chapman Field Park is ready for baseball games once again. Following a longer-than-anticipated 11-year closure due to abnormally high arsenic levels, the 483-acre park, located at 13601 Deering Bay Dr., reopened in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Miami-Dade County officials. “Chapman Field is one of our gems in the great parks’ system,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This is long awaited. The community is just abuzz because they are so eager to have a place for practice and play. It was idle open space, and now it is going to be deployed for the benefit of our community.”
Left abandoned for much of the last decade, it wasn’t until August 2021 that serious progress was made on rehabilitating the first desolated baseball field. Now, the revitalized Chapman features two fully renovated baseball fields, as well as new open green space and a shaded gazebo. To prevent flooding, the parking area was elevated and rebuilt. The field is now managed by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department.
As home to the locally renowned Howard Palmetto Baseball & Softball Association, the return of Chapman should help address the 200-plus percent growth of the league since 2019. The park will also hold other recreational sports, such as soccer and flag football. Of the two restored fields, one will exclusively be used for tee-ball. – Luke Chaney
Seniors Lead Seated Protest in Coral Gables
On June 14, a group of seniors gathered at the corner of LeJeune Road and Altara Avenue for a seated protest focused on federal policy; an alternative to the No Kings protests held across the country. Held from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, protestors included residents of Belmont Village Senior Living and members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.
The protest addressed Medicare, Medicaid, and immigration – three issues at the center of an ongoing debate in Congress and throughout the United States. Seniors are closely watching proposals that could reduce Medicaid enrollment and limit benefits, while ongoing shifts toward Medicare privatization have raised concerns about coverage and long-term costs. Immigration was included for its connection to elder care, as many caregivers and support staff come from immigrant backgrounds. Changes to immigration policy could directly affect the availability of that workforce. Although the protest wasn’t officially affiliated with the “No Kings” movement, its message echoed broader calls to protect public programs and democratic access.
Judith Rosenbaum, 84, a retired federal administrator, organized the event, which was structured to accommodate participants with mobility limitations. Most remained seated using walkers, wheelchairs, or folding chairs, positioned along the sidewalk with signs visible to passing traffic.
There were no speeches or formal messaging – the aim was participation, not performance. Attendees held signs calling for policy protections, while remaining under shaded areas of the block. The location allowed residents to participate without traveling far, an important factor for those who can’t attend large-scale marches. For many, it was a first. – Amanda Martell
Local Awards Roundup
Several organizations in Coral Gables have recently been recognized and awarded for their contributions to architecture, community service, and cultural enrichment.
MG Developer’s Biltmore Row project has been honored with the 2025 Addison Mizner Award in the residential category. This prestigious award recognizes projects that advance classical architecture and urbanism. Designed by De la Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists, Biltmore Row features Spanish Colonial-inspired townhomes. MG Developer has also relocated its headquarters to the 400 University Drive building designed by Morris Lapidus (of Fontainebleau fame), signing a 7,216-square-foot lease to accommodate its growing footprint.
Meanwhile, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, which serves Coral Gables, was awarded the 2025 Corporate Citizen of the Year Award by the Rotary Club of Coral Gables. This honor celebrates organizations dedicated to serving the city and its community, recognizing the hospital’s continued commitment to providing excellent pediatric care.
Mitchell Kaplan, founder of Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair, was also recognized by the Rotary Club, which named him the 2025 Citizen of the Year. The award, which celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community, recognized his role in fostering Coral Gables’ cultural and literary vitality.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has also received kudos. The garden was recently ranked North America’s most vibrant garden by Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel brand, in a study that analyzed satellite imagery and color theory for 150 gardens worldwide. Worldwide it ranked at 41; in North America, it edged out the Biltmore Estate Gardens in North Carolina and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. – Viviana Caram
A New Home in the Sky
When developer Armando Codina conceived of his downtown Coral Gables residential building Regency Parc, a big part of the idea was to create “a home in the sky” for himself. It was a matter of “right sizing” from his mansion in Gables Estates, now an empty nest after raising his four daughters there.
No fan of condominium boards, Codina decided to create an apartment building, albeit one with huge units leased out for years at a time. His penthouse would be 10,000-square-feet – the whole floor – as would the next four floors beneath him. The remaining 13 stories of the 18-story building would have smaller units. As the building moves closer to completion, Richard Fain – former CEO and now chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – has announced he will be joining his friend Codina in the sky. Fain will take the next floor down.
After 36 years of living in a house off Old Cutler Road, Fain says he is ready for a change. “We are empty nesters, and this was an opportunity to do something different,” he says. “We weren’t thinking of moving into an apartment, but this is not an apartment. It’s a home inside a 16-story building.”
The new digs will have four large bedrooms and a gym, as well as his-and-hers bathrooms. “Armando says the secret to a good marriage is separate bathrooms,” says Fain. “I’m not sure about that. We’ve gone 56 years without it, and it’s been fine.” For Fain, who retires from his role as chairman of RCCL at the end of the year, “the thing that really attracted us is that there is now so much going on in the community; all the activities down below.” Plus, having one of your best friends one flight up. – J.P. Faber
City Beautiful Awards
Each year, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce recognizes businesses that are keeping the City Beautiful, well, beautiful. This year’s annual Commercial Beautification Award ceremonies continued the tradition, celebrating those that “have gone above and beyond with the beautification and maintenance of their storefronts and surrounding areas,” according to the city’s website. Criteria to be nominated range from undamaged and pressure-cleaned sidewalks in front of the establishment to the utilization of landscaping around the property. The city backs the contest, even providing the judges – the Sustainability Advisory Board, currently acting as the board of directors of Keep Coral Gables Beautiful.
The 2025 award winners were announced at the Chamber’s Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast in June. Each award-winning recipient received a plaque and a window sticker, as well as recognition on social media and at a City Commission meeting.
This year’s winners were:
Sanctuary of the Arts, For Outstanding Exterior Façade – Commercial Building
Crema Gourmet, For Outstanding Interior – Commercial Space
Sra. Martinez, For Outstanding Restaurant Dining Room
Let Them Have Cake, For Outstanding Retail Interior Space Or Showroom
Venetian Pool, For Outstanding Renovation Project
Alhambra Parc, For Outstanding Yet Unbuilt Project
The University of Miami and John Henry’s “American Lady” was also recognized for the Art in Public Places honor. – Luke Chaney