Parks & Recreation

About Parks

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The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department is a three-time National Gold Medal Award winner (AAPRA and NRPA), a 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award winner, and the only municipal park system its size, serving a residential population of nearly 2.4 million people*, to be awarded National Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Agencies. 

The third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 263 parks and more than 12,848 acres of land, Miami-Dade Parks is one of the most unique parks, recreation and open spaces systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises after-school, sports-development and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and Deering Estate; the Crandon Tennis Center; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.

Our Crandon Tennis center also hosts the Sony Ericsson Open.  Considered the most glamorous tennis event on the ATP and WTA Tour calendars, the Sony Ericsson Open brings record crowds, the biggest names in music and entertainment, and the world's best tennis players to the Tennis Center at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne each spring. The 2012 Sony Ericsson Open will take place March 19-April 1. Now in its 28th year, the Sony Ericsson Open is one of nine ATP World Tour Master's 1000 events and a WTA Premier Mandatory event. Featuring 96-player singles draws for both men and women, 32-team doubles draws, and over $9.7 million in prize money the Sony Ericsson Open is only surpassed in size and prestige by the four Grand Slams.

Our mission is to create outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance the quality of life for our community for this and future generations and we are proud to be of service.

Each year, 25 million people use our parks system to safely recreate, enjoy nature, become more physically fit, and to connect with neighbors, friends and pets. Our facilities, programs and events form the backdrop for the long lasting memories that are formed in our parks from a child's first bike ride to an adult's first swim. 

Scenic and historical parks are the cornerstone of the Department's foundation, from the woodsy Greynolds Park with its bird rookery to Matheson Hammock Park, comprised mainly of hardwood forest, mangroves and winding trails.

Sports enthusiasts whet their appetites with more than 175 ballfields that accommodate baseball, soccer, softball or football. Running clubs can be caught practicing for a meet at one of the running tracks. The lakes, rivers and ocean fronts that sculpt the landscape offer fishing, swimming, boating and other water sports. There is no end to the possibilities: camping, nature studies, arts and crafts classes, agricultural and archaeological excursions, outdoor concerts and horse shows.

Miami-Dade Parks also offers outstanding attractions including:

• Fruit and Spice Park - The only tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States and a gardener's and horticulturalist's dream destination. The 35-acre park boasts more than 500 varieties of exotic and tropical fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices and herbs.
• Zoo Miami - A 740-acre cageless zoo that showcases more than 900 animals belonging to more than 250 species. It has excelled in the successful breeding of rare and endangered animals.
• Deering Estate at Cutler - A historic 444-acre bayfront park with nature preserves, archaeological sites, off shore island, and a education center and museum on South Florida Ecology. House tours of restored 1922 Stone Mansion.
• Crandon Golf Course - On Key Biscayne and Audubon certified, it is one of South Florida's premier golf courses in a pristine natural setting with breathtaking views and wildlife.
• EcoAdventures Excursionsâ„¢ -  Naturalist guided tours through South Florida's unique and exciting network of parks, beaches, wildlife-landscapes, and wetlands, including the Everglades. 

Arts and culture are also celebrated in Miami-Dade Parks facilities, creating a positive and inspiring environment for the presentation and development of the arts and to use the arts to bring together people of diverse cultures, generations, and walks of life.  Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department also welcomes persons with disabilities in all of our facilities, programs and events, and provides a wide variety of fun recreational opportunities for people of all ages with disabilities.

*Data source:  U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division - Last updated February 3, 2010

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