Miami, Florida |
| The Parrot Jungle |
Note: the Parrot Jungle has closed at this location, and reopened at a new location in June 2003.
The original Parrot Jungle was a wonderful place to take kids, and a Miami classic, started way back in 1936-- which means that nowadays- by the 21st century-- its tropical vegetation is extremely lush and beautiful.
Founder Franz
Scherr rented 20 acres of hammock land south of Miami for $25.00 per year.
Keeping the natural vegetation, he dug a trail through the land, and opened for business with 25 macaws from Texas:
100 visitors paid 25 cents each to visit this novelty on opening day. Over
the years, the Parrot Jungle grew until it had 1,100 tropical birds and 2,000 varieties of plants
and flowers.
With the passing years, however, a residential neighborhood grew up around the Parrot Jungle's acres. And so, inevitably, the time came to move.
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Visits to the Parrot Jungle started out with "Parrot
and Snake Photo Opportunities"-- probably one of Johnie or Janie's few
chances to pose with a live boa around their neck.
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Kids also loved feeding the parrots and other birds, and running along the rambling paths exploring the place.
Check out the new Parrot Jungle online. See also in and around Miami:
- the hands-on interactive Miami Museum of Science-- nice and cool when the weather's hot.
- the Vizcaya: a bit of Venice in Florida.
- the Miami Metrozoo: a great example of the trend to cageless zoos.
- a resort on the city's doorstep: Sonesta Key Biscayne
- Miami Florida side trip: the Everglades
