{"id":3872,"date":"2015-11-25T12:46:12","date_gmt":"2015-11-25T17:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=3872"},"modified":"2015-11-25T12:49:25","modified_gmt":"2015-11-25T17:49:25","slug":"key-biscaynes-parks-village-offer-unique-charm-enjoyed-by-everyone","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=3872","title":{"rendered":"Key Biscayne’s parks, village offer unique charm enjoyed by everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted November 25, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By KIT PILOSOF<\/p>\n

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — It\u2019s hard to ignore the extreme conditions and people that take up the congested South Beach hotel strip; those that drop Styrofoam cups into the ocean but cringe at seaweed and the warm salt water as it hits their toes. One must ask: if you don\u2019t like sand then why come to the beach?<\/p>\n

\"Cohen<\/a>

Student Danielle Cohen rides the surrey bike on the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park loop where many great fishing spots reside (Photos by Kit Pilosof).<\/p><\/div>\n

Driving across the Rickenbacker Causeway towards Crandon Park Beach rids you of this high maintenance Miami atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking out across this bridge reminds me of why I decided to move here. I like just being able to see the ocean and the boats rather than paying so much attention to the people,\u201d said Gabby Torkan, a junior at the University of Miami from Great Neck, N.Y.<\/p>\n

Technically only a bridge and a tollbooth away from the urban city, Crandon Park Beach manages to separate itself from the hub, providing visitors with a sense of isolation.<\/p>\n

The two-mile beach, consistently rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the nation, occupies the northern part of Key Biscayne.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t find myself going to the beach a lot because I only ever think there is South Beach. Crandon Park is so close to Coral Gables and it feels as if there\u2019s hardly anyone here. It always sort of shocks me that we can get the best of both worlds in Miami,\u201d continued Torkan.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a local charm on this park island. Restaurants, white sand and warm waters, Caribbean music playing, hiking trails and a vast array of other activities ensure that no visitors, from toddlers and their parents to retired couples, will get bored.<\/p>\n

\"Views<\/a>

Views of the oceanfront and private boats from Bill Baggs State Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cOne of the main issues I have with Miami or touring any major city for that matter is the planning. Having to book and call weeks in advance, the line-ups, getting a group of people organized. It\u2019s an overwhelming feat that often ends in cancelling plans last minute,\u201d said Danielle Cohen, a senior at the University of Miami from Raleigh, N.Y.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from a small town so this type of planning was never in the cards for me,” she added. “My grandma lives in Coral Gables and would often take me to Crandon Park as a kid. When I came to school here I started coming on the weekends and bringing friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is difficult to see the wildlife and historical sights in Miami without renting a boat or reserving a place on a guided tour \u2013 both of which come at a high expense that some people, specifically students, may not be able to afford.<\/p>\n

Crandon Park is the exception.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Cape Florida Lighthouse sits on the white sands of the shore where sun bathers and picnickers come to relax. In the 18th century pirates were known to terrorize this coast.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bicycles are available to rent at Mangrove Cycle shop. Options range from regular single bikes to four person bikes known as a \u201csurrey,\u201d where you will max out at $40 for two hours and get a surprisingly difficult workout.<\/p>\n

The large loop is home to what seems like many generations of raccoons that barely twitch at human traffic passing through. Peacocks, gators and snakes can also be seen in the quiet gardens along the bike path.<\/p>\n

South of Mangrove Cycles is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where a beachfront bicycle loop exists.<\/p>\n

Along the route sits the Cape Florida lighthouse built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, making it the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.<\/p>\n

Twice a day from Thursday through Monday guided tours of both the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper\u2019s cottage are given. The Lighthouse Caf\u00e9 and the Boater\u2019s Grill are the two popular restaurants to stop at for fresh seafood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to come with the family once a month. We spend the day at the beach and come to the Boater\u2019s Grill for the ceviche and seafood paella. The kids need a solid excuse if they can\u2019t make it,\u201d local husband and wife Marianne and Terry Gallivan sit with three of their children and one grandchild at the Boater\u2019s Grill.<\/p>\n

Visible from the lighthouse about a mile from shore and accessible by boat is Stiltsville. Occupying the northern portion of the bay within Biscayne National Park, it\u2019s exactly what it sounds like when you reconstruct its name \u2013 houses built on stilts in the middle of the shallow water.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

Stiltsville structures stand on wood or reinforced concrete pilings, about 10 feet above the shallow water depending on the tide.<\/p><\/div>\n

With a history that dates back to the 1930s, Stiltsville comprised 27 houses at its peak but hurricanes, fires and its general habitat have reduced that number to seven.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s free to tour around by boat, the houses can be rented for events through the Stiltsville Trust; it\u2019s $50 a person and a minimum of 20 people must attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad has told me stories of gambling and illegal drug and alcohol trades being done here way back when,\u201d said Cohen.<\/p>\n

Like an Americanized Venice Canal, the submerged structures with A-frame roofs and colorful painted walls add an old-school quirk to the park. The calm waters surround the abandoned houses and birds line the roof chirping as if they\u2019ve seen it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis history is so well reserved it\u2019s like I can feel the high energy of people meeting here to conduct their \u2018business.\u2019 I feel stuck in a bit of a time warp,\u201d said Torkan.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s these small pockets of Miami that remind you of its tropical geographic location.<\/p>\n

Providing a great view of the city without the clatter of the population, these parks and their historic landmarks offer a mental safe-haven.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n