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The Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation 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 Park & Recreation Agencies.
The third largest park system in the United States, consisting of 262 parks and more than 12,668 acres of land, Miami-Dade Parks is one of the most unique park and recreation 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 Miami MetroZoo and Deering Estate; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open—the USTA’s fifth largest tennis tournament; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.
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.
- Miami MetroZoo - 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 Excursions™ - 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 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.
 Wi-Fi at Tropical Park!
Miami-Dade County is offering free Wi-Fi service at Tropical Park as part of Mayor Carlos Alvarez's Wireless Miami-Dade Initiative. Check out the video to find out more!
For all ages, for all times, for all people, for all possibilities, the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department offers something for everyone. So, "Come Play With Us!"
*Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division - Last updated February 3, 2010
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