Coral Reef Park is one of three park facilities deeded over to the Village of Palmetto Bay by Miami-Dade County when the Village incorporated in 2002, along with Perrine Wayside Park and Palmetto Bay Park. Coral Reef Park is (at least in our opinion) one of the most beautiful public park facilities in Miami-Dade County. Bisected by the C-100 canal, Coral Reef Park creates the perfect setting for active and passive recreation, both happily sharing the same location. These two areas are connected by three pedestrian bridges, one of which was just recently completed.
The west side of the park is where all the fun resides. This is where the "Bridget Allison Pier" playground is enjoyed by kids of all ages. The area also houses the football and baseball fields, concession building, tennis facilities, racquetball, beach volleyball, and the famous "Coach Jill Ellis Soccer Field." The east side is where the beautiful bandshell and gazebo stands along with the "Ken Robinson Meditation Garden"; yes, a meditation garden! Shady walkways lined with mature Oaks and Banyan trees and rest areas abound the east side location.
The park offers a meandering trail that is approximately 2 miles in length featuring a vita course and allowing opportunities for nature walking, running, jogging, biking, roller skating or roller blading. The trail essentially connects the passive and active areas of the park. A portion of this popular amenity meanders through Coral Reef Park's dedicated natural preserve area, which provides a relaxing atmosphere for trail users and nature lovers. Did you know that the Coral Reef Park trail connects a historic trail and a public school? Yes, the trail connects to the historic Old Cutler Road trail via SW 152nd Street and to the adjacent Coral Reef Elementary School. The Village has been enhancing this beautiful trail over the past few years by installing tree root guards to protect the surface from the growing tree roots, expanding the width to 10', replacing the asphalt with a friendlier rubberized material, and installing new trailheads to connect the trails where possible.
Other improvements made over the years include the resurfacing of the fields, improvements to restroom facilities, new concession building, improvements to the racquetball courts, tennis courts and playground area, addition of a pedestrian bridge, landscaping improvements, and coming soon the Village will be replacing the old and demolished recreation room! Potential plans for that project were discussed during last night's Committee of the Whole meeting. You can watch the meeting online on our website or hop over to our Facebook page to see the recording.
Coral Reef Park currently offers four separate picnic areas and the infamous gazebo that can be rented for private parties, meetings or special events. If you have not checked it out, please come visit us soon and don't forget your mask!
