Biscayne Bay — Pride of the Magic City

Extolling the beauty and identifying the needs of this magnificent body of water hugging Miami


Those of us who live near the shores of Biscayne Bay or are surrounded by its lapping bliss appreciate its beauty and serenity. We are also concerned about its future.

The following comments from a member of one of Miami's most prominent pioneer families adds even more significance to what we must learn about this bit of Miami's and Biscayne Bay's proud history.

Early pioneers that arrived before 1900 depended on the bay and local creeks and rivers for transportation. The only road was the old military trail from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Dallas on the Miami River. It was not a good road and was prone to flooding often.

Little River (Biscayne Blvd at 78th Street) and Arch Creek (the original settlement now known as North Miami) were populated by pioneers in the 1890s. These waterways were critical for moving crops to market in Miami via the bay.

I can give you info about the first Bay Causeway and the first man-made bay islands. My great-grandfather was chairman of the Dade County Commission, the leading political figure in the county from 1915 to 1921 and the most vocal proponent of road building.

With everyone pitching in we can preserve the beauty of this magnificent body of water and — what is so very important — protect the delicate ecosystem by doing everything possible to prevent pollution of Biscayne Bay.

● What strikes you most about Biscayne Bay?
● If you are living on its shore or on an island in the Bay such as Grove Isle, why did you choose to make your home where you are caressed by the Bay’s soothing waters?
● What are the needs of the Bay?
● What contribution are you making or are willing to make toward protecting Biscayne Bay?

■■■■■■■■■■
“Install proper drainage for all courts that will keep the clay run off from draining into the bay and protect the delicate ecosystems that have been affected in the past years by sediment run off from our courts. Tentatively scheduled to start January 17, 2000.”
Jamie Colee, V.P. Development
Noble House Hotels and Resorts
From a letter dated January 12, 2000
addressed to the members of the
Grove Isle Club, Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida
■■■■■■■■■■