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Print Friendly MapThe Merrick Trail serves as an east-west commuting route in the western Miami communities of University Park and Westchester. Beginning at Tamiami Park, just south of the Florida International University campus, the paved pathway parallels Coral Way (also known as SW 24th Street) to just past the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), along the south side of West Miami Middle School.
Along the way, the trail traverses residential neighborhoods and and a few pockets of commercial activity, like the Coral Way Plaza and Westchester Shopping Center. Approaching its eastern end, the path borders Francisco Human Rights Park, which has a playground and is located adjacent to the West Dade Regional Library.
Parking is available on the west end of the trail in Tamiami Park (11201 SW 24th St.) and towards the eastern end at Francisco Human Rights Park (9445 SW 24th St.).
It's just a wider sidewalk, not in all parts, next to a street with heavy traffic. More useful for locals to get to some places. Didn't even know it extended beyond 89th ave because the wider faded green section disappears and then it's just a 3' sidewalk.
Yet I still give the bike friendly sidewalk 3 stars for it connects a great park, neighborhoods, services, groceries, restaurants and a library. The bummer is it does not connect to downtown Miami to further facilitate, nor promote a “one less car” mentality. The neighborhoods that border this bike friendly sidewalk benefit, but if you are not from the area, this “trail” offers very little.
This is not the best trail/path to go out of your way to ride. This is a great recreational lane for those whom live in the area and want to get to the park or the Starbucks down the street. I resist calling this a commuter path due to the short length and how it just ends miles before getting to downtown Miami. This would be a great selling point for realtors selling homes in the area for it connects a park with a library and shopping with a gym and some restaurants in the path. All in all, short and a safe choppy way to ride through the neighborhood.
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