Comment today to refurbish Flamingo

January 25, 2008 · Filed under Everglades, Florida, hurricanes, national parks, recreation

Flamingo, Everglades National Park

Thanks to a Sierra Club list, I found out today is the last day for public comments on what happens to Flamingo in Everglades National Park, which was ruined by hurricanes Katrina and then Wilma in 2005.

The picture above is a photo I took on New Year’s Day 2006, after Everglades National Park had just started letting people back into the area. I don’t know why they allowed people to visit Flamingo, because nothing was there — you couldn’t launch a boat, nothing was open, and what you see in the picture — that’s what things were like. A ranger sat at a picnic table to tell the few of us who showed up more pictures of the destruction.

This is what Flamingo could look like:

Now there’s a chance to rebuild Flamingo, and you can comment on it here.

Picture from Miami New Times

2 Responses so far »

  1. 1

    Jill Horwitz said,

    January 29, 2008 @ 6:15 pm

    The picture of what Flamingo could look like, as seen in the last entry, is actually a rendering NPCA created to demonstrate our vision for Flamingo.

    We beleive that the New Flamingo should represent the history and culture of south Florida, and provide an improved and more diverse range of outdoor experiences for visitors.

    By using the latest in green technologies, Everglades National Park can build a new Flamingo that not only is more hurricane resistant, but one that can serve as a model in climate friendly building & planning worldwide.

    Also, the new Flamingo should connect the park with the local community in a way that increases the economic stability of Flamingo and the businesses in Homestead, Florida City and the Keys.

    NPCA supports Alternative C to build a “New Flamingo,”
    and recommends six basic principles that should guide its redevelopment:

    A reduced footprint

    Restoration and protection of natural habitat

    “Green” design and architecture

    A variety of visitor experiences

    Creating a “sense of place”

    Connect with Gateway Communities

    Approving alternative C is only the first step in rebuilding Flamingo, and NPCA is asking everyone to give their comments and support to the park so that we can make this part of America’s Everglades shine once again.

    For more information, go to:
    http://www.npca.org/southflorida/redeveloping_flamingo.html

  2. 2

    ecoflorida said,

    January 29, 2008 @ 7:44 pm

    Thank you for the correction on the source of the image, Jill. My source of information came from the Miami New Times.

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