Oleta River State Park

The Oleta River State Park is a 1,043-acre (422 ha) Florida 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.

Oleta River State Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Entrance sign to Oleta River State Park
LocationNorth Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
Coordinates25°55′08″N 80°08′24″W
Area1,043 acres (4.22 km2)
Created1986 (1986)
Governing bodyFlorida State Parks
WebsiteOleta River State Park

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]

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

See also

References
  1. "Public Health Assessment, Munisport Landfill, North Miami, Dade County, Florida". Retrieved 2007-07-28.
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