Parks

Look up!: The Perseids Meteor Shower is upon us! From Aug. 11-12, 2024, the display will be at its peak, with thousands of shooting stars seen at the rate of 100-150 per hour. The popular and free Southern Cross Observation Deck is open in Miami-Dade at Bill Sadowski Park. The public is invited to visit …

For a free family activity, ArtsPark in Hollywood features events with inflatables, games and entertainment. The Summer Fun events in 2024 are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays in July and part of August, and offered prior to free outdoor family films at the park. Feel free to bring portable seats and blankets. ArtsPark is …

Parks in South Florida offer watercraft rentals for folks who adore an excursion on the water. Watercraft for rent include stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, paddleboats & others.  Prior to venturing out, phone first. Some parks require pre-payment for watercraft rentals, and occasionally rentals are not available for other reasons. Broward Parks offering boat rentals include Quiet …

Splash in the water playground. Play games. Splashtacular events are offered at Castaway Island, the water park at T.Y. Park in Hollywood, and entry is $7.  The events in 2024 include: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 28, Pirate Night. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, Luau Night. T.Y. Park, 954-357-8811, is …

Delight in a family picnic, tossing a Frisbee with friends or a nature walk on the Fourth of July, and Broward Regional Parks are offering free entry. The usual holiday fee is waived. Quiet Waters in Deerfield Beach, TY Park in Hollywood and Tree Tops Park in Davie are among the Broward regional parks that …

Free beach parking might seem like a dream in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, but plenty of spaces can be found along Palm Beach County’s 37 miles of coastline.   The free beachside parking spots get easier to find as you travel north from Boca Raton to Tequesta.   To keep up with the latest news, …

Tradewinds Park in northwest Broward features an educational farm with sheep, a pig, and other animals. Farm tours are usually offered on weekends for $3 a person. Entry is free for ages 1 and younger.  Entry for Tradewinds Park on weekends and holidays is a separate fee, $3 per vehicle for up to 8 people. …

Pondhawk Natural Area is among the delightful areas of wilderness within the urban and suburban fabric of South Florida. It’s open to the public for free. It includes wetlands and a fun StoryWalk and is in Boca Raton. For insider info, Lee Lietzke of Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) offers his …

Are you interested in a naturalist-led group night hike to search for the superstars of the night like nocturnal animals?  How does a guided walk through a pine flatwood forest to encounter wildlife along with a red-shouldered hawk sound? Are you interested in learning more about and seeing up close an American alligator or Florida …

Female sea turtles like the South Florida shoreline for laying eggs. They waddle out from the waves in the darkness onto the beach, deposit dozens of eggs into a sand nest, then return to the water. It’s a part of nature that Florida residents delight in — especially if they see it in person. Several …

When evenings are little cooler, many folks like to spend more time outdoors, in nature. And if you are the eco-adventurous type who enjoys daytime birdwatching, owl walks and nature trails or campfires and night hikes, here is a list of some of the best that Miami-Dade Parks have to offer. Check specific park websites …