The 6 acre Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park is a wonderful recreational resource for the Biscayne…read moreShore community. One of the highlights of the park is the nature inspired 10,800 square foot playground. The new playground was designed by LandscapeDE who was hired by Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces with the goal of creating a space that would encourage residents and their children to spend more time outside, be active, and de-stress. LandscapeDE creates very distinctive and creative outdoor play spaces for children. If you ever saw one you would know it instantly. They also created the amazing ADA accessible playground in Pinecrest Gardens with the anole lizard ramp and play structure and a brand new playground for Pioneer Park in Port St. Lucie. For Biscayne Shores & Gardens Park they built on a five foot earth mound and added an explorer dome, boulder climbers, an embankment slide, swings, bee and forest bug spring riders, a forest lake boat, and an embankment slide. Royal palms, gumbo limbo trees, live oaks, milkweeds, Fakahatchee grass, pineland crotons, yellowtops, porterweeds, gamagrass, giant ironweeds, and Boston ferns were planted to accent the area. The large trees give the playground the feel of being in a forest as they provide shade and connect the playground to nature. The playground was one of the first in Miami Dade County to incorporate nature based play elements. Biscayne Shore and Gardens Park also has a new 3,013 square foot recreation center that offers arts and crafts, after school programs, and camps. The recreations center includes a park office, restrooms, and storage space, a 20-vehicle lighted parking lot, walkway lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping. Additional amenities include picnic shelters, benches, and an exercise path that winds among the park's landscaping enhancing its natural beauty, with palm trees and colorful flowers adding to the vibrant and inviting environment. Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park is a charming and versatile space that caters to a wide range of interests and activities. With all of the recreational amenities it is a great destination for families, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing day outdoors. Whether you're a local resident or just visiting Miami, this park is well worth a visit, especially if you have children.

Yo, seriously, screw the po-po. I'm not all that tolerant of authority, but can't people have any…read morefun without being sent home because it's slightly "too dark"? That's the State for you, I guess. But anyway, large grassy area, plenty of room to kick a ball around, there's a baseball field (though however small), a basketball court, and a playground for children. This is a great working-class park, however, it's easily distressed by these annoying, useless government agents. Again, as soon as sunset hits, expect your local uniformed-thugs to send you packing home, because, yup, you guessed, it's "too dark" and those are the "rules".

A nice little park. It has a strip of grass with picnic areas and an enclosed dog park. The…read morehighlight is the fishing pier that juts over Biscayne Bay. No restrooms. The water fountain doesn't work.

Visited this park for a Caribbean heritage event with the city. Very clean park with views of the…read morewater. Not sure jow parking works there was no real parking g for the actual park. But you can park across the street at the plaza.

This toddler and kid friendly playground in Miami Shores offers a covered pavilion with picnic…read moretables. There are nice large oak trees for shade. Fun play equipment for children, an adjacent baseball field and a public restroom.

The park for tots is nestled under plenty of trees that provide shade making it so convenient for…read morethe kids not to bake in the sun. Locals seem to enjoy it and everyone is very respectful. Love that. We don't live anywhere close to here but we loved it so much that we will make it a point to comeback and play at this park even if we are not near. Loved it that much. Bathroom and water fountain. Thank goodness for this Pavilion with picnic tables. I had my lunch and did a little writing there. Jungle gym with slides. The kids went bananas on these. There are two so the kids aren't piled on top of each other. Swings for kids and swings for babies are separate. Rock climbing wall is small and short enough for the kids not to get hurt if they do have a little tumble. Sensory or rotary toys Turf ground is amazing. We don't get dirty sitting on the ground or running around. Seesaw. I can't remember the last time I've seen one of those. So cool. Dinosaur teeter. One or two kids can ride on it. Mini library to borrow and donate books for the kids. Plenary of benches all around. So convenient because I was not looking forward to being all hinged over on the floor. Next to a bright line rail track. Scary but it's on the other side of the fence of course. No danger here. Parking right outside and free. You don't have one of those park and pay situations. Park is gated. Kidd can safely run around and you can relax as they play. Tip: bring chalk the pavilion Pilars are coated in chalkboard paint so you can draw all over. A little bucket and washcloths might be a good idea too to clean up the walls a bit and start your masterpiece.

We came on 4th of July so we had free entrance…read more There is so much to do at this park. One of our favorite things to do is to rent paddle boards and head to raccoon island, Sand Spur! It is a little pricey but we love the experience since we don't have a boat to make it out there!

You would not expect to find an oasis of nature in urban North Miami but the Oleta River State Park…read moreis full of outdoor adventure and surprises. This well appointed State Park is located between the Oleta River and Biscayne Bay. The land Oleta River State Park sits on has historical significance. The first human inhabitants were drawn to the river in 500 B.C, when its shores served as a campground for Tequesta Indians. The river was named Big Snake Creek in the 1800's and was part of the route used by federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee. In 1881, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled in the area known today as North Miami. By the 1890s the town of Ojus had sprung up along the river along with pineapple and vegetable farms. An Indian trading post was in what is now Greynolds Park. In 1922 the river was renamed the Oleta River. Once a neglected former development site, Oleta River State Park was opened in 1986. One of its earliest and most famous visitors was Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Today Oleta River State Park is more than 1,000 acres and is managed by the Florida Park Service who provides outdoor recreation compatible with conserving and protecting the park. The Oleta River is designated a "Florida Outstanding Waterway," and it is the only remaining natural river in Miami-Dade County. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards and explore the mangrove trails in the estuary or bike the miles of paths that run throughout the park. If you are looking for a less active day, you can relax on the sandy beach. Other activities include picnicking, fishing, and camping in air conditioned cabins. The park is also home to the historic Blue Marlin, established as a commercial fishing camp in the 1930's. The original owner of the Blue Marlin was Daniel Diefenbach who was mayor of North Miami Beach in the 1950's. The Blue Marlin closed in the 1980's but it reopened in 2007. Visitors to Oleta River State Park can enjoy smoked fish and wraps. Admission to Oleta River State Park is $6. The park is open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Plan on arriving early because if the park reaches capacity it will close and won't reopen until the next day.

Driving through north Miami on my way to the beach, I was shocked to discover this oasis of nature…read morein urban Miami. Oak Grove Park and Recreation center is a 22-acre park that has a 5-acre lake and 3-acre hardwood hammock. Flocking to the lake are a variety of birds and wildlife. The lake was my favorite part of the park along with the beautiful large shade trees. Also in the park is the Father Gerard Jean-Juste Community Center named for a pillar in the Haitian community. Father Jean-Juste (February 7, 1946 - May 27, 2009) ran the Haitian refuge camp in Miami from 1977 to 1990 and he was one of the first Haitian Catholic priests in the United States. He was an international political figure and a crusader for Haitian refuges. The community center was built in 2019. Jean Monestime, Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioner from District 2 sponsored naming the state of the art community center in Father Jean-Juste honor. The community center impacts the community with Christmas dinners and bike and turkey giveaways. Within the community center there is a fitness center and game room. Programs are offered for active older adults and children including out-of-School programs, spring, summer, and winter camp, and swim lessons in the adjoining pool. Other park amenities include a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, a soccer field, and tennis courts. So many people of all ages were enjoying the park on the afternoon I visited. This park offers so much more than just a typical playground or sports field. Whether you are looking for a space to play, exercise, learn, or get a helping hand, Oak Grove Park has become the heart of this community.

I drove to this park to find out it's not really a park but a community center with a sports field…read moreand pool only that doesn't allow any pets on the property

I love this peaceful, passive park on Bicayne Bay. The park runs from 94th to 97th Street and N…read more Bayshore Drive and is open from sunrise until 10 PM. Bayfront Park has parking, a paved walkway, water fountains, and benches. There is also a historical marker that relates the history of how the 1870's settlement of Biscayne became the Miami Shores of today. The best feature of the park is the scenic view of Biscayne Bay, a diverse marine ecosystem that is home to two state aquatic preserves, an environmentally important wildlife area, a national park, and national marine sanctuary. Biscayne Bay is a highly productive subtropical estuary fueled by large volumes of freshwater from the Everglades. This clean freshwater mixes with ocean water creating low salinities on the western side of the bay which promotes growth of mangroves, oysters and seagrass beds. During my visit kids were fishing from the walkway, someone was reading a book, and other people were walking their dog. This park is known as a great place to catch a sunset or watch the moon rise. For a few moments you can sit on a bench and escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life as you indulge in relaxation and peaceful reflection.

I always try to find parks or places waterside. This is not quite a park, but a long stretch of a…read morevery thin grass area with benches. It does offer sea views though, so its worthy of some fresh air if you happen to be nearby.

This is a lovely spot to explore Oleta Park. The kayaks and paddle board rentals are fairly priced…read moreand easy to rent. The waiver system can be a little complicated especially when checking in multiple children (8-12) at the same time. Each child requires the same lengthy form as a single adult. But overall, all the staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful. The waterways were fairly easy to navigate and a great way to get up close with Florida's lovely and expansive wildlife/sealife and the all the water equipment were in good conditions.

It was the most fantastic experience, the staff were very polite and that made the trip so awesome…read more It is easy to get to by car, there is a state park fee at the gate, if you are commuting using ride share you will have a 20 minute walk to the kayak station. The equipment is clean and the trip is worth it, plan for a good weather day because i feel like this is the only way to really enjoy it. I will be back to visit again for sure.

Griffing Park is the Veteran's Park that every town has. It has a clock, a fountain, and a few…read moresmall plaques recognizing the sacrifices of our soldiers. There is a community center across the street and a wide open field for play and exercise. Griffing Park takes it's name from Arthur Merlow Griffing who came to this area from New York in the 1920's during Florida's land boom years. He established a nursery and worked as the landscaper on developer Carl Fisher's projects. When demand for land became high he subdivided and sold off his tomato fields which became the development of Biscayne Park. The town was incorporated in 1931 and the name of the town was changed to the Village of Biscayne Park. There isn't much to draw someone here from outside the neighborhood but what caught my eye and why I stopped is the display of mass graves set up to honor people lost to Covid. This is the second memorial of it's kind set up in Miami. The first was erected on October 14, in Simonhoff park in Liberty City. So far more than 3,600 people have died from the Corona virus in Miami Dade County and 231,000 people have succumbed across the nation. The display in Griffing Park was put together by Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin and U.S. Representative Frederika Wilson. They put up the display to provide a place for people to grieve and to remind everyone what is happening in their community. They hope that the display will encourage people to wear their masks and save lives. This moving memorial will remain up through the month of November. Three stars for the park but five stars for the display.