Oleta River State Park

State park in Florida, United States

25°55′08″N 80°08′24″W / 25.91889°N 80.14000°W / 25.91889; -80.14000Area1,043 acres (4.22 km2)Created1986 (1986)Governing bodyFlorida State ParksWebsiteOleta River State Park

The Oleta River State Park is a 1,043-acre (422 ha) state park on Biscayne Bay in the municipal suburb of North Miami in metropolitan Miami, Florida. Adjoining the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University, the park contains one of the largest concentrations of Casuarina trees (Australian 'pine'), an invasive species in the state park system.

Facilities

The central feature of this park is the mouth of the Oleta River, for which it is named. The river has drawn human inhabitants to the area since about 500 B.C, when its shores served as a campground for Tequesta Indians. It was used by U.S. troops (who called it Big Snake Creek) in 1841 during the Second Seminole War, and further explored in 1881 by Naval Captain William Hawkins Fulford, whose ventured inland to what is now the city of North Miami Beach. The area became more heavily settled in the 1890s and in 1922, developers changed the name from Big Snake Creek to the Oleta River.

The river itself no longer flows to the Everglades, but remains a popular area for canoeing. The park also boasts some of the best wilderness bike trails in the country, and is a frequent host for triathlons and other extreme sports events. There is a beach on Biscayne Bay, kayak rentals, and primitive cabins. Oleta River State Park is also the headquarters to one of the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters.

Health concerns

Oleta River State Park is adjacent to Munisport landfill, a former superfund site. However, no health issues at Oleta River state park have been linked to the landfill.[1]

Gallery

  • Path to beach
    Path to beach
  • Picnic area by beach
    Picnic area by beach
  • Picnic area and pier
    Picnic area and pier
  • Picnic area and paths
    Picnic area and paths
  • Cocoplum growing in Oleta River State Park - Fruit and branches
    Cocoplum growing in Oleta River State Park - Fruit and branches
  • Detail of branches
    Detail of branches
  • Mature and immature fruits
    Mature and immature fruits
  • Marsh and Mangroves
    Marsh and Mangroves
  • Mangroves
    Mangroves
  • Sabal Palm growing in the park
    Sabal Palm growing in the park
  • Wild Lantana flowers growing
    Wild Lantana flowers growing
  • Wild lantana growing near road leading to entrance to park
    Wild lantana growing near road leading to entrance to park
  • General view of beach
    General view of beach
  • Underview of bridge leading to the park
    Underview of bridge leading to the park
  • View of barrier underneath bridge to protect pilons
    View of barrier underneath bridge to protect pilons
  • View of water with sediments and oyster beds underneath Oleta River bridge
    View of water with sediments and oyster beds underneath Oleta River bridge

See also

External links

  • Oleta River State Park at Florida State Parks
  • Oleta River State Recreation Area at Absolutely Florida
  • Oleta River State Recreation Area at Wildernet
  • Oleta River State Park Mountain Bike Trail at Dirtworld.com

References

  1. ^ "Public Health Assessment, Munisport Landfill, North Miami, Dade County, Florida". Archived from the original on September 29, 2000. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
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