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When I think of Miami’s most notable islands, Palm, Hibiscus, Dodge and Fisher immediately come to mind. And let’s not forget Key Biscayne and Miami Beach.
However, there’s another island much further inward bound from Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. A charming place nestled on the southern end of the Village of Pinecrest that is surrounded by slow-moving canals, picturesque lakes, the shade of banyans and palms and moreover, strong bonds amongst its friends and neighbors.
Welcome to Palmetto Island, a neighborhood of 71 homes located along SW 70 Ave. and SW 69 Court.
In 1993, the Proby family moved to Palmetto Island for a variety of reasons such as fishing from my backyard canal teaming with largemouth bass, as well as turtles, ducks, squirrels, iguanas and ibis to name a few. My own wildlife sanctuary.
Historically, Palmetto Island was initially settled by early pioneers in the middle 1800s and was incorporated in 1897 by Samuel Parks Lamb who moved to Florida from his home state of South Carolina. The C-100 canal, dug in 1960 by the Army Corps of Engineers, was cut out of limestone bedrock to drain extreme rainwater into Biscayne Bay, thereby reducing severe island flooding.
That same year, Palmetto Island’s new flood zone was tested when 145 mph Hurricane Donna arrived on our shores. The most powerful hurricane to hit South Florida was 175 mph Andrew in 1992 and again, the canal system did its job.
Severe weather over the years tested the canal’s drainage system, so much so that the water flow behind my home reminded me of a virtual trout stream. In fact, most of my fishy canal dwellers wound up swimming in the southern lake.
Otherwise, our canal system offers island residents and guests unlimited boating and fishing enjoyment. Controlling recreational boats with high horsepower to prevent wave erosion has always been problematic. To a degree, “no wake” signage has been effective. Of course, shouting at speeders also seems to work.
Palmetto Island was officially named in 1991 by the island’s leadership who, back then, included Colin D’Arcy and Angelo Demos. Soon thereafter, they created a homeowner’s association.
The naming process took time after homeowners were invited to recommend names. Their response was considerable with over forty suggestions initially submitted. After whittling down to a dozen names, several were suggested by polls including Osprey Isle, Blue Heron Island, Sunny Waters, Parrot Island and Sunshine Waterways to name a few.
Palmetto Island is famous for Halloween, averaging well over 500 trick-or-treaters per year.
The island has become so popular that homeowners are setting up chairs and tables in front yards instead of opening and closing front doors.
There is also an abundance of community services such as Neighborhood Watch in which residents work together with the Pinecrest Police Department to help stop crime in the village.
Josh Young, a resident of Palmetto Island, created the island’s WhatsApp, a group chat enabling residents to communicate with one another around-the-clock to report missing pets, organize island events, buy and sell various household items and provide referrals for home repairs, to name a few.
There are not many places in South Florida that combine beauty, safety, exceptional schools and peaceful family-friendly ambience like Palmetto Island. Paradise Found.
Author Bay Proby is a freelance writer who lives with his wife Sandy in Palmetto Bay. Prior to his retirement, Bay was the owner of Proby & Associates Public Relations in Miami, Florida. His journalism career includes sports editor of the Bradenton Herald, editor of Florida Yachting and cub reporter for the Gainesville Sun. He graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Florida.
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