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Deering Estate, a Miami-Dade County Heritage Park and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a source of pride for our community and all of Florida. Located in south Miami-Dade with significant environmental, archaeological, paleontological, and historical resources in a single site, the Estate is unique in South Florida as a site where Biscayne Bay meets the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Deering Estate’s Stone House, being celebrated with new improvements aimed at conservation and sustainability of the historic grounds.
On Friday, March 18, 2022, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava led a ribbon-cutting at Deering Estate, for the improved and expanded Stone House Courtyard. The Mayor was joined by Miami-Dade County Chief Operations Officer Jimmy Morales, representatives from the Office of Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Village of Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam, Miami-Dade County Parks Director Maria I. Nardi, and representatives from Deering Estate and Deering Estate Foundation, among others. The ribbon cutting was followed by a presentation of plans to reconstruct the Estate’s mangrove boardwalk that was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
The 450+ acre property is one of the few remaining heritage parks containing Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) in Miami-Dade County. Among its diverse natural resources and historic buildings, the Deering Estate stewards 120 acres of pine rocklands, representing a globally imperiled habitat and one of the richest sources of the earth’s biodiversity. Research and conservation initiatives at the Deering Estate include a field station that is increasing public understanding and engagement of South Florida ecology.
The improvement project included the addition of new stone paving and landscaping, a new storm water drainage system for the courtyard and adjacent areas, a new tent tie-down foundation for special events, and interior repairs.
Miami-Dade Parks completed the project with architecture/engineering consultants Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc. and construction contractors Envirotech Contractors Inc. and Gryphon Construction Services, Inc.
The project cost was approximately $1,031,813. Funding was provided by the Deering Trust, the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program (BBC-GOB) and Countywide Infrastructure Investment Program (CIIP.)
“The Deering Estate is a cultural gem in our community, serving to preserve the legacy of Miami pioneer Charles Deering,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Renovations like these are vital to retaining the Estate’s natural beauty and grandeur, that has been so special for a century of visitors and will delight the many generations of visitors to come.”
“The Deering Estate is an absolute source of pride for all of us who reside in South Dade and District 8,” said Commissioner Cohen Higgins. “Thanks to the incredible work of our Parks Department, the Deering Estate will continue to enrich lives with sprawling green spaces and a rich cultural history while also conserving one of Miami-Dade’s Environmentally Endangered Lands.”
“I am delighted to see the completed revitalization project for the Stone House Courtyard, and the planned reconstruction of the mangrove boardwalk, at Deering Estate, a Miami-Dade County heritage park,” said Parks Director Nardi. “This is a great example of Miami-Dade Park’s resiliency adaptations for the preservation, public education and stewardship of our waterfront parks.”
About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces:
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of more than 280 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship.
The Deering Estate, located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., in Palmetto Bay, is a Miami-Dade County Heritage Park that features a variety of unique cultural and ecological resources and experiences including the historic houses, artist in residence studios, nature trails, and daily guided or self-guided tours of the nature preserve and museum collection. The Deering Estate also presents signature events which include concerts, exhibits, special discount days, and festivals. Public programming and educational activities include lectures, workshops, K-12 STEM+Arts field study trips, preservation and conservation research experiences for university students, Deering Adventure Tours and guided Bird walks, night hikes, and canoe trips.
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