Family-friendly Miami Wilds will be good for South Dade, good for tourism | Opinion
After more than a decade of planning and discussion, the proposed Miami Wilds project in South Miami-Dade is moving forward. The County Commission will decide the fate of the voter-approved attraction adjacent to ZooMiami, which has long been the cornerstone of tourism development in the southern part of the our community and the gateway to many other of our great attractions.
The timing could not be better. Miami Wilds includes an outdoor water park and interpretative learning environment that showcases surrounding Everglades-related habitats. The project, at 12400 SW 152nd St., presents an opportunity for both residents and visitors to experience unique natural areas in addition to our more traditional Miami attractions.
Research shows that people today, more than ever, want to disconnect from daily routines and connect with nature to enjoy the great outdoors. Earlier this year, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau introduced its MIAMILAND campaign emphasizing the wonder of natural assets in our own backyard — from amazing national, state and county parks to unique trails, waterways and open spaces.
Miami Wilds would be a great addition to the roster of nature-based, family-friendly attractions. Forty years ago, as a young county park planner, I was part of the effort to acquire from the federal government 1,000 acres of under-utilized land in South Dade, a portion of which eventually became home to ZooMiami. For decades, there have been plans to further enhance unused parcels of the property in ways that would complement the zoo and safeguard nearby natural habitats.
Interpretative educational features will offer visitors the chance to learn about surrounding ecosystems. As important, Miami Wilds aligns well with existing tourist attractions that, in addition to ZooMiami and its new Everglades exhibit, include: Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay National Park; the historic Florida Gold Coast Railroad Museum and the South Florida Military Museum and Veterans Memorial; and local farm-sourced food options in neighboring Homestead and the Redland.
It’s also important to recognize the economic significance of this project. County Commissioner Dennis Moss rightly has been an ardent proponent of a Miami Wilds-type project to extend tourism’s footprint in South Miami-Dade, an area ravaged by Hurricane Andrew more than 25 years ago.
The project, which includes a small boutique hotel and outdoor restaurants, is expected to create an estimated 304 jobs for area residents when it opens and 403 jobs when fully operational, benefiting South Florida’s vital tourism in economically challenging times.
Miami Wilds can be a legacy that future generations will enjoy with their children and grandchildren. In time, this unique attraction will be another jewel in the crown that makes Greater Miami and the Beaches a desirable destination for people around the world.
Bill Talbert is president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.