Amelia Earhart Park: A Great Place to Land
Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah, Florida, transforms 515 acres of former airfield land into South Florida’s most diverse outdoor recreation destination. Five freshwater lakes anchor activities ranging from cable wakeboarding to farm animal encounters, while mountain bike trails wind through wooded sections and open fields stretch across the landscape.
The land beneath Amelia Earhart Park was part of Miami Municipal Airport, a significant hub during the early days of American aviation. On June 1, 1937, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart departed from this airport on the longest leg of her ambitious attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Her planned route would cover 29,000 miles along the equator.
After successful flights through South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937, during their flight from Lae, New Guinea, to Howland Island. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. Earhart was 39 years old.
When the park opened in 1980, it was named to honor both Earhart’s pioneering spirit and her connection to this historic aviation site.
Miami Watersports Complex
The park’s 90-acre main lake hosts Miami Watersports Complex, one of South Florida’s premier cable wakeboarding facilities. Two full-size cable systems and one two-tower cable accommodate riders of all skill levels. Unlike traditional wakeboarding, which requires a boat and driver, the overhead cable system pulls riders across the water, making the sport more accessible and affordable.
Beginners can start with 20-minute tube rides to get comfortable on the water. As skills progress, riders move to wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and kneeboarding behind the cables. For personalized instruction, coaches ride alongside students in boats, with three-person sessions lasting an hour. The complex also offers lessons behind an award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 boat.
Lessons and rides start at $50 and run throughout the day, ending one hour before sunset. The options let families try water sports together regardless of experience.
Bill Graham Farm Village
The Bill Graham Farm Village honors the Miami Lakes developer and community leader who successfully lobbied to preserve this land as public parkland rather than allow commercial development. Graham, whose father served as a state senator, understood the importance of protecting green space in rapidly growing South Florida.
The working farm replica offers children hands-on experiences that teach about Miami-Dade County's agricultural heritage. The demonstration barn hosts regular demonstrations of traditional farming skills, including horseshoeing, milking cows, and sheep shearing. Children can interact directly with animals in the petting zoo or take supervised pony rides on weekends for an additional fee.
The country store stocks farm-related goods and treats while maintaining period authenticity. Nearby, an insect museum displays specimens from Florida and beyond. Visitors can also watch a historic sugarcane press in action, demonstrating how this crop once dominated South Florida agriculture.
Mountain Biking and Outdoor Recreation
Eight miles of dirt trails wind through the park, offering routes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced mountain bikers. The paths include narrow single-track sections through wooded areas, wider fire roads across open terrain, and technical features like banked turns and elevation changes. Mountain bike rentals are available on weekends for those without their own equipment.
An 18-hole disc golf course winds through the grounds. The Soccer 5 mini-soccer complex features enclosed fields with 4G artificial turf and bounce-back boards that keep the ball in play, creating a fast-paced small-sided game. A lighted full-size soccer field also operates year-round, hosting league play and practice sessions. Sand volleyball courts are also available.
Dog-Friendly Spaces
While leashed dogs are welcome throughout the main park, a dedicated five-acre fenced dog park provides off-leash freedom. The Bark Park includes open green space for running, walking trails, and water fountains for dogs. A separate section accommodates small breeds that might be overwhelmed in the main area. Dog washing stations help owners clean muddy paws before the drive home.
Family Recreation
A treehouse-style playground designed as a fort offers climbing equipment, slides, and play features for elementary-age children. Picnic shelters throughout the park provide tables and grills for family gatherings. The variety of activities means families can easily spend a full day exploring different areas without leaving the park.
Planning Your Visit
Amelia Earhart Park is at 401 East 65th Street in Hialeah, Florida. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset daily. Parking is free Monday through Friday; weekend and holiday parking costs $7 per vehicle. Individual activities like watersports, bike rentals, and pony rides charge separate fees. For more information visit www.MiamiDade.gov.
