Tropical Park
Tropical Park is a 275-acre (1.11 km2) urban park in metropolitan Miami, Florida. The park is located just southwest of the intersection of the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and Bird Road, just west of South Miami.
| Tropical Park | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Municipal |
| Location | Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 25.732°N 80.323°W |
| Area | 275 acres (1.11 km2) |
| Created | 1979 |
| Operated by | Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department |
| Website | Tropical Park |
History
The land opened as a county public park in 1979,[1] on the grounds of the former Tropical Park Race Track, which had used the lands since 1931.[2]
Hours of Operation
Tropical Park is opened to the public every day from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Their office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. [3]
Facilities
It has a boxing center, fields for football, soccer and softball, as well as facilities to play basketball, volleyball and racquetball. Tropical Park has a tennis center with 12 tennis courts that are wheelchair-accessible. There are four lakes within the park, a two-acre (8,100 m2) dog park, as well as paddle-boating, and freshwater fishing. Cyclists, joggers, and runners use the miles of paved pathways circulating through park.
Equestrian Center
Throughout the year, the park hosts horse shows, rodeos, and other special events at the Tropical Park Equestrian Center. The equestrian center hosts over 30 horse shows a year, including international shows. The old racetrack's stables were used as part of the equestrian center.
Stadium
The Tropical Park Stadium is home to the Miami-Dade Track and Field Team. It has also hosted prestigious national track and field meets such as the Junior Olympics, USA National Track and Field Championships, and many local high school football games.
Santa's Enchanted Forest
Annually, from early November through the beginning of January, Santa's Enchanted Forest takes over a large part of Tropical Park. The holiday event features six million lights, a giant Christmas tree, and carnival rides.[4]
References
- Cynthia Williams Wright (15 November 1979). "Once Again, Tropical Park Attracts Magnificent Horses". The Miami News. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- "Gala Opening Winter Opening: Tropical Park". Miami Daily News. 20 December 1931. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/tropical.asp
