Overview: The beauty of Arch Creek and its natural limestone bridge drew the Tequesta to this site centuries ago. So much so they made it a meeting place. As did the Seminoles, who followed them and then the first European settlers, who established the first town in Dade County on the site. Fortunately, the beauty of Arch Creek is preserved in this nine-acre park just off busy Biscayne Boulevard.
The center piece of the park is the natural stone arch and the creek that runs through it. But there is also a small hardwood hammock full of live oak, figs, including stranglers, pigeon plum, gumbo limbo and cabbage palms. A short natural surface trail runs through it. An asphalt road runs parallel along what was known as Military Trail. There is a butterfly garden at the north end of the park and a museum at the entrance.
Biscayne Boulevard is just beyond the eastern boundry of the park and a railroad runs along the western, so it can be noisy. Still, it provides some green space while preserving some history. Miami-Dade County operates Arch Creek. Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is next door.
History: The site of present day Arch Creek Park has been many things over the millenium. The Tequesta tribe were here at least a thousand years before the first Europeans trod upon its soil. The Tequesta used it as a meeting place, as did European settlers. Soldiers crossed over this natural bridge during the Second Seminole War. Military Trail, as the road became known, was the first in Dade County. Among the engineers who cut the road was a certain Capt. Abner Doubleday, who is questionably credited with inventing baseball.
A coontie mill occupied the site during the 1850s, grinding the plant's tuber-like roots into starch. During the 1950s, it became a trailer park; later, the Chrysler Automobile Corp. bought the land for a used-car lot. Finally, in the 1970s North Miami residents fought to preserve the site and its natural wonders. The state of Florida bought it in 1973 and leased it to Dade (now Miami-Dade) County. Arch Creek Park opened in 1982.
What You'll See: The arch, of course, and the creek are the highlights, but there is the tropical hardwood hammock and a nature trail that weaves through it. We did spot a number of different butterflies, including monarch, Horace duskywing and zebra longwing, plus a couple we could not identify. Birds seen include cardinals and a black-and-white warbler. The museum near the park entrance is not large but it is worth the time.
Amenities: There is on-site parking, the museum featuring artifacts of the various peoples who lived here and a fire ring and seating that can be rented.
Nearby: Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is literally next door to Arch Creek Park. Also nearby are Greynolds Park East and West. Oleta River State Park sits to the southeast were guessing a 10-minute drive away.
Links: The Arch Creek Trust is here. The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Arch Creek Park is here.
Of Note: Arch Creek Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Cover Photo: What else better represents Arch Creek Park but the namesake Arch?
The center piece of the park is the natural stone arch and the creek that runs through it. But there is also a small hardwood hammock full of live oak, figs, including stranglers, pigeon plum, gumbo limbo and cabbage palms. A short natural surface trail runs through it. An asphalt road runs parallel along what was known as Military Trail. There is a butterfly garden at the north end of the park and a museum at the entrance.
Biscayne Boulevard is just beyond the eastern boundry of the park and a railroad runs along the western, so it can be noisy. Still, it provides some green space while preserving some history. Miami-Dade County operates Arch Creek. Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is next door.
History: The site of present day Arch Creek Park has been many things over the millenium. The Tequesta tribe were here at least a thousand years before the first Europeans trod upon its soil. The Tequesta used it as a meeting place, as did European settlers. Soldiers crossed over this natural bridge during the Second Seminole War. Military Trail, as the road became known, was the first in Dade County. Among the engineers who cut the road was a certain Capt. Abner Doubleday, who is questionably credited with inventing baseball.
A coontie mill occupied the site during the 1850s, grinding the plant's tuber-like roots into starch. During the 1950s, it became a trailer park; later, the Chrysler Automobile Corp. bought the land for a used-car lot. Finally, in the 1970s North Miami residents fought to preserve the site and its natural wonders. The state of Florida bought it in 1973 and leased it to Dade (now Miami-Dade) County. Arch Creek Park opened in 1982.
What You'll See: The arch, of course, and the creek are the highlights, but there is the tropical hardwood hammock and a nature trail that weaves through it. We did spot a number of different butterflies, including monarch, Horace duskywing and zebra longwing, plus a couple we could not identify. Birds seen include cardinals and a black-and-white warbler. The museum near the park entrance is not large but it is worth the time.
Amenities: There is on-site parking, the museum featuring artifacts of the various peoples who lived here and a fire ring and seating that can be rented.
Nearby: Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is literally next door to Arch Creek Park. Also nearby are Greynolds Park East and West. Oleta River State Park sits to the southeast were guessing a 10-minute drive away.
Links: The Arch Creek Trust is here. The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Arch Creek Park is here.
Of Note: Arch Creek Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Cover Photo: What else better represents Arch Creek Park but the namesake Arch?
