This is a great park to birdwatch and enjoy nature. We came hoping to see the spot breasted orioles…read morein the area, but never did find them. We enjoyed the many other birds and critters around as well. I wish we'd had more time to explore here, but we loved what we saw on the main track around the lake. Good parking around and a great kids playground area too.

Highlands Park is located near the Aventura Mall. Park amenities include a fitness trail, baseball…read morefield, playground, outdoor fitness equipment, tennis courts, softball field, soccer field, sand volleyball court, and a community center that holds camps and after school programs. The park offers adult program and supervised youth sports programs and the city often holds food truck events here. My favorite part of the park is the area in the back. Highland Oaks Park has one of the last remaining freshwater wetlands located at the headwaters of the Oleta River which is the only natural river remaining in the Miami-Dade County. The Oleta River had been designated designated a "Florida Outstanding Waterway." This area has the low salinity environment necessary for commercial and recreational fishing species like snook, mullet and tarpon to reproduce. This is the only freshwater tributary connection to the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve that does not have a flood control structure. This area is an important habitat to aquatic wildlife and native plants. Around the lake is an exercise path with fitness stations. I was surprised to see a large alligator swimming in the lake. I had a little talk with the ducks and warned them to stay away. Hopefully they took it to heart. The back area of this park is a really beautiful place to see all kinds of native wildlife. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk here today.

What is listed on Yelp as Island View Park is really just part of Maurice Gibb Park. Once called…read moreIsland View park, this three acre park had it's name changed in to honor the death Maurice Gibb who passed away from cardiac arrest while undergoing surgery at the age of 53 in 2003. Maurice was a member of the seven time Grammy award winning musical group the Bee Gees. He liked to take in the view from the park and the group recorded at Criteria Studios now the Hit Factory in North Miami in the late 70's and early 80's. Maurice also lived in the area. His former home sold for 13 million in 2012. In 2007, the year the name change took place at the park, it received $75,000 worth of improvements including landscaping and a three ring mosaic that was created by artist Dale Bryant. It was added to the park near the sea wall. The yellow ring represents peace, red is love, and blue is tranquility. The park was rededicated in a ceremony attended by members of Maurice Gibb's family. Tributes to Maurice Gibb are small in the park. Besides the ring on the southeast corner of the park there is a small granite carving with his name and there is a plaque outside the playground. In March of this year, the park reopened with two upgraded scenic lookout areas over Biscayne Bay, a green space, a brand new music-themed playground, a new dog park, fishing pier, shade structures, pavilion, outdoor seating, walking paths and additional native trees and shrubs. A living shoreline was created to minimize coastal erosion while creating a natural habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and wildlife. There park has 30 spots in the lot and you have to pay at the kiosk or through the phone app. Additionally there are also a few street spots, also pay by app. The main attraction of this park is the stunning water front view. You can sit on a bench and watch the mega yachts sail by. On the southern end of the park is a wooden boardwalk providing a view of the Venetian causeway. You can launch a kayak from the park to Flagler Monument Island. It is about a 15 minute paddle from here. This park is the perfect place to take in the view of Biscayne Bay and enjoy being outside in the beautiful Florida sunshine.

Island View Park in Purdy Avenue is a well maintained park on this part of South Beach. You can…read morestroll, walk your dog, jog, do yoga and relax and enjoy the view. Close to a lot of restaurants, publix and shops. Check it out!

Stillwater Park is one of several triangle shaped neighborhood parks in Miami Beach near the…read morewaterways off of Biscayne Bay. Miami Beach is built up with a lot of businesses and residential housing. Green spaces are lacking in this area so Stillwater park along with Crespi, and Tatum parks provide much needed recreational resources to the neighborhoods they are in. Stillwater Park is located at the entrance of gated Stillwater Dr. in the Biscayne Beach neighborhood. Stillwater Drive is a single street that is its own neighborhood. Jutting into Biscayne Bay, it is a rectangular peninsula that can be accessed via two streets, 86th Street on the north side and Hawthorne Avenue on the south. This area was once a patch of mangroves that were filled in and developed during the late 1930s by the Biscayne Point Realty Company. Stillwater like much of North Beach exploded after World War II with a boom in population and in housing. A key feature of the park is a playground designed for children ages 5 - 12 with spring riders, a climbing board, zip line, seesaw, toddler and youth swings. Other park amenities include stationary fitness equipment, a lighted basketball court, grassy field for open play, and benches. In 2008 a Miami Beach Police Department Canine Training Facility was added to the park. At the east end of the park stands a covered pavilion which is equipped with water fountains and restrooms. The pavilion can be rented for private events. This park is fenced in for safety. You can find limited parking around the perimeter but it is mainly used by local residents who walk over. Like all of the parks in Miami Beach, Stillwater Park is very clean and well maintained.

Looking for outdoorsy free activities?? visit a local park and enjoy the sunny weather…read more This park is a little gem in the Miami Beach area. There are a few nice and well maintained parks and this one is really convenient. Parking can be a little tricky but is manageable.

Steele Mini Park is a pocket park or mini park in Coconut Grove. Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest…read moreneighborhood known for its lush, tropical atmosphere, bohemian charm, and historic Bahamian roots. Pocket parks are generally less than a half acre in size and can have different amenities for the public. This type of mini park arose from a desire in communities to have places for kids to play instead of another building or wasted vacant land. There are 28 parks, classified as mini parks in the Miami Park System. Steele Mini Park, also known as Elizabeth Steele Mini Park was created in the 1960's. This half acre, peaceful neighborhood park has landscaping, paved walkways, picnic tables, benches, and green open space. Behind the park is the Residences of Vizcaya, a large condominium complex. This park provides an outdoor space for area residents to exercise, picnic, and walk their dogs. This was the perfect spot for me to sit a table for a minute and catch a beat while planning my itinerary for the day. People looking for more park amenities can visit the much larger David T. Kennedy Park which is two miles down the road. Both parks are on S. Bayshore Drive.

Bear Cut Preserve is located in Crandon Park at Key Biscayne. The preserve is on the shores of…read moreBiscayne Bay. In the nature center I learned that the preserve got its name from the Florida black bears that used to swim from Virginia Key to Key Biscayne. I guess even bears enjoy a beach day. Trails for the preserve begin at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Nature Center. The first trails you come to are the Tequesta Hammock Trail and the Bear Cut Nature Trail. Both trails are natural earth and are .3 miles long. They loop around through a tropical hardwood hammock. On the day I visited they were filled with mosquitoes. The 1.3 mile Osprey Trail is paved and perfect for bikes. It ends in a boardwalk that overlooks a 6,000 year old fossilized mangrove forest reef and gives a spectacular view of downtown Miami. You have to pay for parking in Crandon Park. You will also want to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and water. After you finish your hike you can visit the nature center, hang out on the beach, or explore the botanical garden on the other side of the park.

Bear Cut Preserve is located at the northern end of North Beach on Crandon Park. Named for when…read morebears swam to Key BISCAYNE from the mainland. Upon entering the park, make a left and head to the northern end of the parking lot. Bear Cut has three trails: 1) Tequesta [1/4 mile]; 2) Bear Cut [1/2 mile]; and Osprey and a Nature Center. The Center has exhibits and explains the unique flora and fauna of the Preserve. Pick up a trail guide at the Nature Center. All trails are accesible to the north of the Nature Center and are clearly marked. Tequesta and Bear Cut are more shaded and smaller than the Osprey trail, and cover part of the Hardwood Hammock ecosystem. The Osprey trail is on soft sand, paved and board walk. It takes you by the sand dunes and mangrove forest on an elevated board walk. It is 1.3 miles from the Nature Center to the highlight of the Preserve: a fossilized mangrove swamp that dates 2,000 years ago and is one of only 2 in the world, with the other in Japan. The board walk takes you through the swamp and has an observation platform at the end overlooking the fossilized mangrove. The trail has spurs along the trail that takes you to the beach. The more you walk the more secluded you are. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen

Babcock Park has quite a long history with the city of Hialeah. The first community center,…read morebaseball field, and pool in Hialeah were all built by the Works Progress Administration after the Great Depression to put people back to work. It opened in 1939 as Hunter Lyon Park, named after a wealthy insurance executive, sportsman, and race horse owner with connections to Hialeah Race Track. In 1944 the name of the park was changed to honor Benny Babcock, a Hialeah resident who enlisted in the Marines in 1940. He became the first Hialeah resident to be killed in action at the age of 22 during World War II at Guadalcanal on November 2, 1942. Today Babcock Park is a generous 18.5 acres filled with amenities beloved by generations of the community. These include two lighted tennis courts, seven youth baseball fields, two lighted indoor racquetball courts, two lighted basketball courts, a newer covered playground, community swimming pool, out door exercise equipment, recreation building, LHB baseball training academy, the Curtiss Library, and police substation. I enjoyed the paved walking trail that winds throughout the park. With its deep roots in the community, generations grew up in Hialeah with fond memories of Babcock Park. It continues to bring people together today for games, swimming, play, and outdoor recreation.

Several baseball fields, out door gym area, basketball courts, pool, batting cages, playground, and…read morerev center. This park has so much to offer. Great place to go for a walk. It's also safe and it's with the police station. I believe they also have some sort of workout program for adults. Sadly nothing is perfect. I gave only 3 stars because there is a a few shady people on the north side of the park. They seem to be homeless. Once the park is closed and the lights are shut off, it no longer feels safe to walk around the area. As stated by a previous yelper the bathrooms are never open.

North Shore State Recreation Area is an easy 5 stars, it honestly feels brand new after the redo,…read morewith gorgeous updated paths and an incredibly scenic beachwalk/boardwalk stretch that makes every walk, bike, or skate feel like a little vacation. The whole area looks cleaner, more open, and better designed, and you can tell real thought went into the renovation (from the improved walkways to the way it connects into the longer Miami BeachWalk).

I swear, this is the EXACT beach spot where they record those hypnosis & relaxation CD's where you…read morehear the sounds of waves! During the day, this is an excellent beach if you want to tan, relax and swim, or just lay out in the sun. Waves themselves seem to be a little more active and better for surfing than South Beach proper as you're away from the jetty. There are a couple of volleyball nets, and some picnic tables on the grassy area facing Collins Avenue. You're also within walking distance of three of my favorite restaurants (Rancho Grande, Valentino Sul Mare, and Sazon). Manolos is near here, and Prima Pasta is in the area as well. I've come here plenty of times, for events ranging from my High School reunion's picnic, to just lounging and relaxing. At night is when the "magic" comes out, as this is the general area where the Full Moon Drum Circle is held. (See my review for that event here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/full-moon-drum-circle-miami-beach) Whether you're into making magic or making out, you have to check out the drum circle at least once. When I snap my fingers, you will head straight to North beach :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CyY8sFDKWg

Civic Park is one of three parks in North Bay Village, a waterfront community situated between the…read morecities of Miami and Miami Beach in the middle of Biscayne Bay. North Bay Village is made of three islands, Harbor, North Bay and Treasure Island. The town was created in 1940 by dredging and bulk heading so North Bay Village has amazing bay views. Civic Park was dedicated in 2020. Inside Civic Park is the North Bay Village Dog Park with a small dog area and one for large dogs. There is also a lawn area in the back where some people were allowing their dogs to run free. This park is a much needed resource because many people live in towers and there is limited green space to dog walk. Plans are underway to develop a new Civic Park funded by two grants totaling $900,000, one from Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) and the second from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF). Improvements to the park will include a living shoreline and floating kayak dock. These additional features will enhance the park and environment for the residents of North Bay Village.