The Tropical park of Miami !!!

Posted in Americas, Florida, Food and Wine

Looking at my paper albums, found me an older picture that brought a lot of memories to me and my family, I feel my blog is my life’s history and it should be in it, This allows me to show in my blog places of nostalgic memory as never to forget. Nostalgia sets in and here I go on the Tropical park of Miami !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Tropical Park is located at 7900 SW 40th street , developed on the site of the former Tropical Park Race Track, which had used the lands since 1931 ,a former horse track converted to this park in 1979, I remembered for the Santa’s forest and Christmas entertainment theme event that we went for several years while living not far, Also, I played corporate softball there!! In the park ,visitors can enjoy bicycling, walking or running on the miles of paved pathways. Shape up on our fitness court or at in the boxing center. Tropical Park is a 275 acre (1.11 km2) urban park  located Westchester neighborhood just southwest of the intersection of the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and Bird Road. Miami-Dade County purchased the property in 1976 and converted the facility into a public park in 1979.

My family came here often either me to play corporate softball or the wonderful memorable activities that found me a picture made me do this post, The Santa’s Enchanted Forest was annually, from early November through the beginning of January, It took over a large part of Tropical Park until 2019. The holiday event featured six million lights, a giant Christmas tree, and carnival rides, It was touted as the world’s largest Christmas-themed amusement park that has been operating for over 30 years here.  There were millions of lights, rides, stunt shows and food.  There was a maze, animal shows,  Christmas train, Ferris wheel, Frog Hopper, Spidermania, Wiggle Worm,  Speedway Race Cars as well as over 40 “extreme” rides for thrill-seekers.  They claim to have South Florida’s tallest Christmas tree at 92-ft tall (about 28 meters), The Christmas Wonderland came after Santa’s Enchanted Forest relocated, the area that was home to the carnival was replaced with a very similar annually celebrated holiday event that opens from November to January. Christmas Wonderland first opened in 2023 (after me), and still celebrates the holidays with carnival rides, a big LED Ferris wheel, food stands, and millions of lights.

The facilities here now are tops and includes the Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center hosting more than 36 shows a year, the Equestrian Center is where registered Arabians, Hunter/Jumpers, Western style, Paso Finos, and other breeds come to strut their stuff and pick up valuable show ribbons and trophies. Featuring two grass courses, seating for 1,000, A promenade and three state-of-the-art show arenas, the center also has recreational vehicle hookups, restroom facilities and concession stands. Temporary horse stall rentals are also available during non-event days,The Tropical Park Racetrack opened in December 1931 and closed in January 1972 after 40 years. It was part of the Southern Florida circuit along with Hialeah Park (also closed and memorable) and Gulfstream Park. The Mary Abreu Community Center is a facility uniquely located to serve the cattle and equestrian industry. It houses 12 lighted wheelchair accessible tennis courts. Four racquetball facilities, including four pickle ball courts are also available. Lessons are offered. Reservations accepted. Track and stadium closure for special events and football game will start at 5 p.m. (17h) unless noted. Mondays – Fridays the stadium will be closed to the public from 3 p.m (15h). – 6 p.m.(18h) for high school track and field practice. There may be additional closure dates due to athletic events. The park, also features open lawn areas ideal for frisbee as well as covered picnic shelters. For the athletically inclined, there are abundant facilities catering to a wide variety of activities including basketball, tennis, racquetball, boxing, baseball, softball, soccer and a fitness center. Stroll, run or bike miles of paved trails that wind through the park’s tree-lined lawn and forested areas. The on-site Tropical Park Boxing Center (aka Muhammad Ali Boxing Center) offers both daily and annual memberships that not only include boxing, but also boot camps, conditioning, personal training, self-defense and more. The Southwest Community Farmers’ Market sets up each Saturday from 9 a.m.(9h) to 3 p.m.(15h) year-round just inside the Bird Road entrance.  The grounds at Tropical Park also feature four lakes where visitors can paddle boat or fish, plus a 2-acre dog park where you can play with your four-legged friends or just sit back and watch them have a ball.

The Miami and the Beaches tourist office on Tropical Park : https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/l/outdoor-experiences/tropical-park/2965

The Miami-Dade county on Tropical Park : https://www.miamidade.gov/parks/tropical.asp

This is Miami a city never lived but worked while in South Florida, Many trips many visits and family time with several still there and another nostalgic spot in my world map. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Tropical park of Miami !!! as I,

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Unknown's avatar

Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.