Named for 2 beloved figures in Miami historical past, this park memorializes their love of the outside and tenting in addition to her service throughout World Battle II.
The Dave Barry of his technology, Miami Herald humor columnist Larry Thompson met Gladys “Penny” Rhodes in 1953.
An aviator and member of the Civil Air Patrol, Penny flew reconnaissance out of Naval Air Station Richmond, monitoring the Gulf of Mexico for German submarines.
Memorial close to park entrancePenny chaired the primary post-war All-Lady Air Present, gained a serious air race, and established Southeast Aviation Information, serving as its editor.
After they married, they spent a substantial amount of their free time tenting with their twin daughters, fodder for Larry’s columns and books.
Lakefront recreation advanced on the parkWhen Naval Air Station Richmond was decommissioned, a portion of it was bought to create this 270 acre park.
Snugged in opposition to the south boundary of Zoo Miami, it has a 240-site campground, a seasonal seaside and waterpark, a playground, and 9 massive picnic pavilions.
Crumbling limestone forest flooringIt’s the forested portion of the park that’s astounding: an expanse of pure pine rockland, a crumbly limestone karst topped with skinny Dade County slash pines.
Exterior of Everglades Nationwide Park, it’s the most important instance of this extraordinarily uncommon habitat that when blanketed this area.
Tall slash pines within the pine rocklandsThere are various locations to hop on the route we describe alongside its path community. We selected the playground as an easy-to-find place to begin for a 2.7-mile double loop.
Along with this partly paved, partly footpath hike, you may loop the lake via a sampler of pine rocklands on a mile circuit.
Lakefront playgroundSources
Overview
Location: South Miami HeightsLength: 2.7 mile loopTrailhead: 25.59966, -80.40351Address: 12451 SW 184 St, MiamiFees: FreeRestroom: On the trailheadLand supervisor: Miami-Dade CountyPhone: 305-232-1049
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed pets welcome. Name to order campsites and picnic shelters. Whereas the campground is essentially for RVs, tent websites can be found. Charges begin at $60 plus tax.
Instructions
Hike
Take the paved path in direction of the playground and switch proper, previous crumbles of white limestone spilling from a border of tropical hammock.
Curving across the massive canopied inexperienced area south of the lake, the trail adjoins the park highway, reaching a junction at a crosswalk.
Inexperienced area adjoining playgroundFlip left for a rare passage via pine rocklands alongside this ribbon of asphalt.
Crumbly, holey limestone pedestals, crevices, and resolution holes make up the forest flooring beneath noticed palmetto and tall, slender Dade County slash pines.
Pine rocklandsReaching a Y intersection at 0.2 miles, bear left. A protracted sweep alongside the east shore of the lake follows, staying throughout the pine rocklands.
Draw shut sufficient to the water for good views throughout it. A pure sand path parallels alongside the lakeshore.
Lakeshore viewsViews vanish in an immersion within the pine rocklands till a gap faces south throughout the lake.
Framed by cabbage palm fronds, a straightaway edges the property line, which exhibits some proof of the previous Navy air base.
StraightawayAt a Y junction at 0.8 miles, bear left, paralleling the west aspect of the lake. A tenth of a mile later is a choice level.
For the accessible mile loop, keep on this path previous the water park again to the playground. For the adventuresome route, flip proper.
Y junctionObserve a slim footpath into the pine rocklands, slipping round clumps of noticed palmetto and small depressions the place wildflowers thrive.
At a T intersection, flip left onto a well-worn broader footpath surrounded by pine rocklands.
Broad north-south footpathCross the park highway at a mile, up and over a small rise flanked by large limestone boulders.
Distinctive in opposition to noticed palmetto and shrubs within the understory, the shiny yellow-rimmed leaves of younger poisonwood stands out
Poisonwood. Don’t brush in opposition to it.Pines are taller on this nook of the park, the forest extra immersive at its farthest level from leisure actions.
Reaching an east-west straightaway edged by ferns at 1.4 miles, flip left. Hop off it nearby of the park highway.
Among the many pinesTake a footpath via the flatwoods briefly, coming into the grassy space at Shelter 1 at 1.7 miles. Resume the footpath for a tenth of a mile.
Emerge at a broad area that was previously a park entrance and make a left, dealing with the preliminary path junction within the rocklands.
Shelter 1Take the crosswalk to stroll via them once more, however bear proper on the fork below the pines this time.
Rising from the forest, the paved path attracts nearby of the park highway briefly. Move an M1 signal, one of many uncommon markers for the path community.
Crumbly karst after a prescribed burnThe trail opens right into a grove of mangos, avocados, and lychees initially established by the College of Miami.
At a path junction throughout from the park entrance at 2.2 miles, the trail straight forward continues to the campground.
Edging the tropical fruit groveTo return to your automobile, stroll in direction of the park entrance. Make a proper onto a footpath earlier than the park gate.
This palmetto-lined hall completes a remaining stretch of that east-west straightaway, now heading west in direction of Shelter 1.
Westbound among the many palmsReturning to the acquainted broad area, flip proper to make use of the crosswalk a second time. Make a left.
Curve alongside the inexperienced area again to the playground and parking space, finishing this 2.7-mile hike.
Flip left after the crosswalk on the rocklandsPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Mountaineering Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park
Slideshow
See our pictures from Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park
Close by Adventures
Official Web site
Writer of over 40 books, Sandra Buddy established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to develop on the sector analysis she’d accomplished for her first six climbing guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
