54 June 27- July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 BEST PICKLEBALL COURTS Holiday Park 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive Fort Lauderdale, 33304 954-828-5383 parks.fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components /FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/36/1091 A former roller-hockey rink in the shadow of the new Florida Panthers’ practice facility is the local pickleball hotspot. The space was recently renovated into six lit, free-to-the-public pickle- ball courts, where there’s paddle action literally from sunrise through sundown. Some are la- beled as challenge courts where the winners stay on or as “four on, four off.” What makes the Holiday Park pickleball courts special is its level of play — let’s just say it’s not for amateurs before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays. If you’ve been winning too often at your local courts, hit Holiday Park to be quickly humbled by a grunting, sweaty pickleball bro or senior player to totally kick your ass. The system here is easy, too. Just place your paddle in a respec- tive court’s queue to get in on the next game. BEST TENNIS COURTS Jimmy Evert Tennis Center 701 NE 12th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, 33304 954-828-5378 parks.fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components /FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/70/1091 Remember tennis legend Chris Evert? She was Martina Navratilova’s nemesis on the court. She took home 18 grand slam titles throughout her incredible career. She’s also from Fort Lau- derdale, and there’s a world-class tennis center in her hometown bearing her dad’s name. The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center is nothing new — it’s been a South Florida tennis breeding ground for tennis talents like Jennifer Capriati and Brian Gottfried. Today, it has 18 pristinely kept clay tennis courts. What makes it the best is the classy yet approachable ambiance. The courts are easy to book in advance for a fee via its pro shop, and if you want to fly solo, there’s a ball machine rental for honing those skills. BEST PLACE TO ROLLER-SKATE Miami Roller Rink 12265 SW 112th Street Miami, 33186 305-702-0285 miamirollerrink.com Miami Roller Rink, formerly known as Hot Wheels, Thunder Wheels, and Super Wheels, has been on a roll ever since re-opening its doors on January 1 of this year. The rink is Miami’s lon- gest-standing roller rink and the go-to venue for parties, birthdays, corporate events, retro- themed fiestas, and music videos — even earning Drake’s stamp of approval. Looking for skate les- sons? They have weekly classes taught by Rocs World and other world-class skate coaches every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. BEST SKATEPARK Lot 11 301-349 NW Second Street Miami, 33128 skatefree.org/projects Lot 11 skatepark occupies a space that was once a parking lot underneath I-95 in downtown. The park boasts a crowd of good-humored regu- lars who are either beginning their skate jour- ney or working to get signed to a skate team. Lot 11 welcomes visitors with a massive halfpipe as soon as you walk through the gates. There are obstacles like stairs and rails for those who want a challenge, and vert riders can use the large, empty pool space. What really sets Lot apart is its feeling of community. Even a Wednesday night is pretty packed with enthusiasts who blast music and enjoy the night air and camara- derie. Some of the Lots’ most famous visitors in- clude musician and designer Pharrell Williams and the late fashion designer and skateboarding advocate Virgil Abloh. You might also run into pro skaters like Jamie Foy and Sean Pablo at the park or happen upon a skate jam or other event, like a rave or Japanese wrestling. BEST POOL Charles Hadley Park Pool 4800 NW 12th Avenue Miami, 33142 305-960-4636 miami.gov/Parks-Public-Places /Parks-Directory/Charles-Hadley-Park The Charles Hadley Park pool was named after a gregarious politician known locally as the un- official mayor of Black Miami. “Uncle Charlie” was honored after his death in 1985 with name dedications on an elementary school and park. His is a sparkling Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool with six diving boards and a high-dive platform that offers swimming lessons, lifeguard train- ing, water aerobics, and public fun times for families. And thankfully, for those who don’t enjoy shivering in a cold pool, the water is a solid 79-82 degrees all year. Neighbors may be hearing more splashes at Hadley than normal — in March, state lawmakers unanimously passed a law to prevent child drowning by pro- viding swimming lesson vouchers for children ages 4 or younger in families with an income of no more than 200 percent of the federal pov- erty level. Happy laps! BEST JOG The Venetian Causeway The gorgeous stretch of the Venetian Causeway is unbeatable in terms of accessibility and views. Spanning the breadth of Biscayne Bay, it’s a thoroughfare of 12 bridges with delightful architectural details that connect Miami, the Venetian Islands, and Miami Beach. Sure, you can enjoy the ride from your car, bicycle, mo- ped, or even Onewheel, but the 2.8-mile stretch offers joggers and runners a special kind of inti- macy with the still waters of Biscayne Bay, es- pecially at sunrise and sunset, and time to people watch. Plus, it’s pretty safe, as there’s enough space on the sidewalk to stay away from anyone speeding by. BEST TRAIL Old Cutler Trail From Old Cutler Road and SW 224th Street in Cutler Bay to Old Cutler Road and Cocoplum Road in Coral Gables miamidade.gov/parksmasterplan /library/OCT.pdf The stunning 13.5-mile Old Cutler Trail cuts through some of Miami’s oldest and most lush neighborhoods. Pretend you’re living in the past as you enjoy a stroll under the shade of hundred-year-old banyans or jump on a bike for an easy, flat ride through nature. Along the way, you’ll pass the tangled mangroves and glisten- ing bay views of Matheson Hammock as well as the established greenery at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Pinecrest Gardens. And all in all, Old Cutler promises a safe stroll. Tree roots might trip you up more than drivers be- cause the speed limit around the trail is about 35 miles per hour. BEST CAMPGROUND Markham Park 16001 State Road 84 Sunrise, 33326 954-357-8868 markhampark.com The South Florida Council — Scouting America (AKA Boy Scouts of America) holds its annual Scoutmasters Camporee at Markham Park ev- ery February. Nobody knows camping like a scout, so that’s the flare alerting us that this is the best campground in town. Nestled in the western reaches of Broward County, Markham Park is within spitting distance of both the vast Everglades wilderness and the convenience of Sawgrass Mills shopping mall. With tent and RV sites, full hookups, charcoal grills, picnic ta- bles, and even a restroom complex with hot showers, you may not feel like you’re roughing it. But there’s no shame in taking in nature while also enjoying a flushing toilet. The “luxu- ries” don’t end there. There’s also a dog park, mountain bike trails, ranges for archery, skeet, and target shooting, and even an airfield for RC planes and drones. BEST PLACE TO SNORKEL Bear Cut Preserve 6767 Crandon Boulevard Key Biscayne, 33149 305-365-2320 floridahikes.com/bearcut Have you been to saltwater beaches in other cities? They may have fish, but you sure won’t be seeing them through murky waves. Here in South Florida, we have some of the clearest warm waters in the lower 48. To really get up close and personal with sea creatures, head to the uncongested 165-acre Bear Cut Preserve on Key Biscayne. Its shallow seagrass habitat is teeming with life, like colorful sponges, star- fish, barracuda, or pufferfish. Bear Cut’s nature trails have numerous beach access points, all ideal for snorkeling. Park at the north end of Crandon Park at the Biscayne Nature Center to ogle at the hardwood hammocks and man- groves before the trails end at an overlook of a fossilized coastal reef with a fantastic view of downtown. Pro tip: Go when the tide is low to get a closer look at the sea critters. BEST PLACE TO KAYAK Morningside Park 5215 NE Seventh Avenue Miami, 33137 786-587-6149 morningsidewatersports.com Slap on some sunscreen and grab your water. You’re going kayaking. Launch from Morning- side Park for a solid day exploring small, wild Biscayne Bay islands. It’ll give you the oppor- tunity to see bottlenose dolphins and brown pelicans as you roll lightly over the soft waves. If you don’t have your own boat, hit up Morn- ingside Watersports for rentals, guided tours at decent prices, and a complimentary ten- minute orientation. And if you’re feeling a lit- tle romantic or just hate the sun, Morningside Watersports hosts a monthly full-moon guided kayak tour with a bonfire at its cozy waterfront lounge.
