The Oleta River State Park is a state park on Biscayne Bay in the municipal suburb of North Miami Beach in metropolitan Miami, Florida. Adjoining the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University, the park contains one of the largest concentrations of Casuarina trees (Australian 'pine'), an invasive species in the state park system. Along the park's coastline are mangrove forests. They provide vital nurseries for aquatic life and filter urban pollutants from coastal waters. The state park promotes biodiversity of flora and fauna through the assistance of Friends of Oleta River State Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization (CSO that sponsors events, raises funds, and advances the goals of Oleta River State Park. The state park hosts about 15 endangered species.

The weather in the area has the lowest average temperature in January, being at 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest average temperature is in July and August, being at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest average rainfall is in January, with about of rainfall. The highest average rainfall is in September, with about 9.21 inches of rainfall.

Facilities

The central feature of this park is the mouth of the Oleta River, for which it is named. The river has drawn human inhabitants to the area since about 500 B.C, when its shores served as a campground for Tequesta Indians. It was used by U.S. troops (who called it Big Snake Creek) in 1841 during the Second Seminole War, and further explored in 1881 by Naval Captain William Hawkins Fulford, whose ventured inland to what is now the city of North Miami Beach. The area became more heavily settled in the 1890s and in 1922, developers changed the name from Big Snake Creek to the Oleta River.

The river itself no longer flows to the Everglades, but remains a popular area for canoeing. The park also boasts some of the best wilderness bike trails in the country and is a frequent host for triathlons and other extreme sports events. There is a beach on Biscayne Bay, kayak rentals, and primitive cabins. A Florida State Parks Annual Pass allows unlimited entrance into any of the state parks. Oleta River State Park is also the headquarters to one of the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters. The state park welcomes approximately 25 million visitors annually.

Health concerns

Oleta River State Park is adjacent to Munisport landfill, a former superfund site. However, no health issues at Oleta River State Park have been linked to the landfill. There are four water treatment plants nearby the state park. The nearest wastewater treatment plant is the North District Wastewater Treatment Plant, which handles their wastewater and others nearby.

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File:Miami FL Oleta River SP beach01.jpg|Path to beach

File:Miami FL Oleta River SP beach02.jpg|Picnic area by beach

File:Beach at Oleta River State Park.jpg|View of the beach

File:Miami FL Oleta River SP pier01.jpg|Picnic area and pier

File:Miami FL Oleta River SP06.jpg|Picnic area and paths

File:Oleta River State Park - Chrysobalanus icaco - Cocoplum fruit 03.jpg|Cocoplum growing in Oleta River State Park

File:Oleta River State Park - Chrysobalanus icaco - Cocoplum leaves 01.jpg|Detail of branches

File:Oleta River State Park - Chrysobalanus icaco - Cocoplum fruit 01.jpg|Mature and immature fruits

File:Oleta River State Park - View of Marsh and Mangroves 01.jpg|Marsh and mangroves

File:Oleta River State Park - Mangroves.jpg|Close-up of red mangroves

File:Oleta River State Palm - Sabal Palm.jpg|Sabal palm growing in the park

File:Oleta River State Park - Wild Lantana flowers 02.jpg|Wild Lantana flowers growing

File:Oleta River State Park - Wild Lantana flowers 01.jpg|Lantana growing near road leading to entrance to park

File:Oleta Rive State Park - Swimming Beach.jpg|General view of beach

File:Oleta River State Park - Underview of Bridge leading to the park.jpg|Underside of bridge leading to the park

File:Oleta River State Park - Bridge piers protection barrier.jpg|View of barrier underneath bridge to protect pylons

File:Oleta River State Park - View of Water underneath bridge.jpg|View of water with sediments and oyster beds underneath Oleta River bridge

File:Mangrove 01.jpg|Mangrove forest

File:Zebra heliconian longwing (Heliconius charithonia simulator).jpg|Zebra longwing

File:Checkered White butterfly (Pontia protodice) - 10526718136.jpg|White checkered butterfly

File:Female northern cardinal in Central Park (86755).jpg|Female northern cardinal

File:20231017 red bellied woodpecker south meadows PND07196.jpg|Red-bellied woodpecker

File:2022-05-24 Mockingbird Santa Fé Galápagos 0144.jpg|Northern mockingbird

File:Greater antillean grackle (Quiscalus niger crassirostris).jpg|Grackle

File:Tursiops truncatus 01.jpg|Dolphin

File:Manatees at Blue Spring State Park, FL.jpg|Manatee

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See also

  • Oleta River
  • Oleta River State Park at Florida State Parks
  • Oleta River State Recreation Area at Absolutely Florida
  • Oleta River State Recreation Area at Wildernet
  • Oleta River State Park Mountain Bike Trail at Dirtworld.com
  • Friends of Oleta River State Park

References