MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A renovation project at Miami-Dade County’s Devon Aire Park that was expected to be finished more than a year ago remains incomplete, leaving parents and coaches frustrated and youth sports teams scrambling for places to practice and play.

The project at the park located at 10411 SW 122nd Ave. began nearly two years ago and was supposed to be completed in July 2025. Now, in August 2026, there is still no completion date in sight.

The delays have affected children at a nearby school as well as football players and cheerleaders who normally use the park.

“Unfortunately, it kept getting delayed and getting delayed, and now we’re going on year two,” parent Kenid Joseph said.

Joseph has two children who attend a school next to the field. She said students have been unable to use it for physical education classes.

“It’s very, very frustrating, especially being a taxpayer of this area,” Joseph said.

Youth sports teams feel impact of delays

The prolonged closure is also taking a toll on the Hammocks Warriors.

Priscilla Martinez, cheerleading coach and director for the organization, said participation has suffered.

“Our teams are just shrinking because of it,” Martinez said.

With much of the field fenced off, Martinez said her cheerleaders have been forced to practice on a small patch of available space near the construction area.

Football teams are also facing challenges.

Mike Pintado, president and football commissioner for Kendall Hammocks, said teams are being sent to multiple locations for their games.

“We are going to be playing our games at five different locations this year,” Pintado said.

Soil, drainage issues complicate project

Local 10 learned that the project previously encountered an issue involving arsenic in the soil, which officials said has been addressed.

Now, drainage is an issue. The field can flood when it rains, creating safety concerns for children.

The contractor on the approximately $3 million project is Gonzalez and Sons.

Local 10 requested an interview with the mayor, but she declined. Instead, the county’s Parks and Recreation Department provided a statement addressing the continued closure.

“The field cannot reopen until we confirm that recent improvements meet project specifications and are safe for public use,” the statement read in part. “We are working with the contractor on a permanent solution.”

When Local 10 arrived at the park at about 8:30 a.m., there appeared to be little activity at the construction site.

Joseph pointed to the lack of visible work as another source of frustration.

“How many construction trucks do you hear? Do you hear any work going on?” Local 10 News reporter Jeff Derderian asked Joseph.

“Do we count invisible people?” Joseph asked.

For families who have now spent nearly two years waiting, the biggest question remains when the field will finally reopen.

Local 10 also reached out to Gonzalez and Sons seeking an update on when the project is expected to be completed, but had not received a response at the time of publishing.

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