Homestead Bayfront Park: A Miami-Dade Heritage Park

Homestead Bayfront Park is a charming destination created on land donated in 1938, by James Sottile, owner of South Dade Farms. The public can access 90 of the park’s 1,200 acres.  Neighboring Biscayne National Park, Homestead Bayfront Park has many inaccessible areas that are home to protected natural zones and coastal wetlands. During WWII the site was leased to the Air Force and afterward, with the addition of an atoll pool, marina, and other facilities, the park opened to the public in 1955. 

The on-site La Playa restaurant has a tasty menu and a great setting. They are open Monday - Friday 11 AM - 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday 11 AM - 11 PM. 

With the land donated from James Sottile and the vision of County Commissioner J.D. Redd, the park was originally dedicated in 1939.

Since there were no funds designated to develop the site as an accessible public park, the County made a deal with the WPA in 1939 to deepen the North Canal and widen the south side for boat dockage, add fill for a parking area, carve out an atoll-shaped swimming area, and build a two-story caretaker's house. The County furnished materials and the WPA provided the manpower. The project was not without its challenges, however, with no electrical access to light the needed channel markers for the marina and no water supply. The installation of a windmill solved the electrical situation. Wells for water could not be drilled close to the bay and a solution was found farther away requiring water to be stored and pumped slowly through pipes not larger than two inches. Once again, windmill power was used to operate the pump needed to move the water. Bottled water was used for drinking and cooking.

During World War II the site was used as a crash boat base in conjunction with operations at the nearby Homestead Air Force Base. It wasn't until after the war that power lines and water mains were extended to the park. Funds from a County General Obligation Bond were also able to complete the residence, expand the marina, and create a new entrance.

Many enhancements were made in the years that followed, a beach was created to enhance the atoll swimming area, the marina was enlarged and a beach pavilion, lifeguard stands, and boat ramp were added. During segregation, there was a second, smaller atoll beach with custodian quarters, restrooms, and a refreshment stand on the north side of the North Canal. After desegregation, the area was converted into a family camping area and boat launching ramp.

The park was re-dedicated in 1955.

Buchsbaum, Karen. Can You Name Miami-Dade's Seven Heritage Parks?. August 1st 2018. 32 - 33.

Miami-Dade County. Homestead Bayfront Park. Accessed March 10th 2022. https://www.miamidade.gov/parks/homestead-bayfront.asp.