The Kampong and The Barnacle State Historic Park
Plants, Science and History
Leaders: Dr. Hong Liu, Department of Earth and Environment at Florida International University
Day: Sunday
Start Time at Site: 9:00 AM
End Time at Site: 12:00 PM
Difficulty: Easy
Lunch Included? No
Handicap Access: No
Cost: $7 + $15 + $2 (see below)
Start at 9 a.m. at The Kampong. Located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, it is the former estate of Dr. David Fairchild, the famed botanical explorer who introduced to the U.S. collections plants from tropical locales all over the world in the early 1900s. It contains a beautiful and vast array of exotic flowering and fruit trees, palms and cycads—and just a few Florida natives, including mangroves. Dr. Fairchild’s historic lab and library are also on view. As the mainland portion of the National Tropical Botanic Garden (the others in Hawai’i), it is an interesting and an important resource for those who study, enjoy and seek to preserve tropical plants. (Many South Florida natives are also native to tropical America, so it’s relevant to Florida, too.) The future will bring Florida natives more into the spotlight when the planned headquarters of the International Center for Tropical Botany is built adjacent to the Kampong. We will be treated to a special private tour (see fees below).
About 10:30 drive 1 mile to The Barnacle State Park to explore the small natural rockland hammock. The residence of early pioneer Commodore Ralph Monroe, it is a time capsule from the late 1800's surrounded by modern city, with rare plants and historical buildings overlooking Biscayne Bay.
The house and boat house will probably not be open for public tours, but a free private tour of the house will be offered at 1 pm for a max of ten participants (in order of request that day) who pick up invasive exotic Air potatoes (Dioscoreabulbifera) for a few minutes in the hammock (a “very short workday”).Note: The house tour is not part of the field trip and cannot be guaranteed.
Easy walking both places on paved paths or smooth ground.This trip has easy access to I-95 for the drive home.
Fees:$7 (paid at registration) plus $15 cash entrance fee at The Kampong, plus $2 cash entrance fee in the on-your-honor box at The Barnacle State Park. You will also need to pay for parking at public lots and meters near The Barnacle.
What to bring:Water, sun protection,and lunch if you would like to picnic at the Barnacle after the trip.
➤Directions to gathering pointat The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden,4013 Douglas Rd, Miami, FL 33133*:From Miccosukee Hotel, head south on Krome .3 miles, then turn left onto SW 8th Street. Proceed 4 miles, then turn left onto SW 137th Av. Proceed 1.3 miles and keep right to merge onto FL-836 East (Dolphin Expy). Continue on Dolphin Expy 2.9 miles, then take exit FL-826 South (Palmetto Expy). Continue on Palmetto south 3.9 miles to turn left onto FL-986 (Sunset Dr.). Continue on Sunset Dr. eastbound 1.5 to the roundabout exiting the 3rd exitLeJeune Rd.(over the bridge) then immediately into the right lane (to avoid traffic signal) and turn right onto Ingraham Hwy. Continue straight ahead .7 miles, then bend left onto Douglas Rd. The Kampong Botanical Garden entrance is just 600 feet north on Douglas Rd. abruptly on the right, a red iron gate and turnout in the stone wall on the right.
For the second leg of the trip, directions to The Barnacle at3485 Main Highway Miami, FL 33133. From Kampong, turn right on Douglas Rd (SW 37 Ave.), immediately turn right at light onto Main Hwy, go .8 mile. Parking information for The Barnacle will be available when you gather at The Kampong.
For lunch after the trip, bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds of The Barnacle as you view the bay, or walk to restaurants in Coconut Grove.
*Note: Click link (gathering point address above) for real-time directions from your location using Google Maps. If you would like to view directions from the Miccosukee Resort, enter the starting point as 500 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33194. By allowing more time than you think is required, you can make your ride there more relaxing.
GPS Location:25.71624-80.25296