Watson Island, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Watson Island is an island in Biscayne Bay, close to downtown Miami, Florida. The island is connected to the mainland of Miami and to Miami Beach by the Macarthur Causeway. It was created by land reclamation in 1926 with material dredged from the ship channel to the Port of Miami, and was originally named Causeway Island. The island was later named for John W. Watson, Sr., who was Mayor of Miami 1912-1915 and 1917-1919. The Goodyear Blimp base in Florida was located on Watson Island for many years.[1] As of 2004, the State of Florida was offering a site in the Island Gardens project on Watson Island to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Permanent Secretariat.[2] As of March, 2006 the Florida Department of Transportation is planning to construct a tunnel from the Port of Miami on Dodge Island under the main shipping channel to the Macarthur Causeway on Watson Island.[3]
[edit] Current public facilities
Aviation Center
Chalk's International Airlines has maintained a seaplane base on Watson Island since 1926. As of 2006, the City of Miami is relocating the Miami Heliport to a site adjacent to Chalk's seaplane base, with the intention of creating an Aviation Center serving corporate and tourism needs.[4]
Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden
The Ichimura Miami - Japanese Garden grew out of the efforts of Kiyoshi Ichimura, who sent objects, materials and artisans from Tokyo to Miami in the 1950s to construct the San-Ai-An Japanese Garden on Watson Island. The garden opened in 1961. As of 2006, the garden is being redesigned and reconstructed.[5]
Island Gardens
In 2004 the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County approved Island Gardens, a hotel and marina development on Watson Island. The development includes two hotels with a total of 500 rooms, retail and restaurant space, and a marina serving mega yachts.[6]
Miami Children's Museum
The Miami Children's Museum opened a new 56,500-square foot facility on Watson Island in 2003. It has ten galleries, classrooms, birthday party rooms, a parent/teacher resource center, an educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium and a dining area.[7]
Miami Outboard Club
The Miami Outboard Club has been located on Watson Island since 1948. It is active in conservation and artificial reef programs, and provides social and eductional activities. The club has boat slips, dry storage, a boat lift, a ramp for jet skis and other small craft, and a restaurant, bar and internet cafe.[8]
Miami Yacht Club
The Miami Yacht Club has been located on Watson Island since the late 1940s. It offers youth and adult sailing programs, and sponsors races, regattas and a Sea Scout ship. The club has boat slips, dry storage, and a lounge, bar and restaurant.[9]
Parrot Jungle Island
Parrot Jungle Island opened its new faciity on Watson Island in 2003. Originally named Parrot Jungle, the tourist attraction had operated south of Miami since 1936.[10]
Public Boat Ramp
There is a Public Boat Ramp with 50 oversized parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers.[11]
[edit] References
- ^ FYI Miami Island Namesake - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Proposal to host FTAA Permanent Secretariat - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ FDOT Port of Miami Tunnel Project - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Aviation & Regional Visitors Center - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Flagstone - Island Gardens - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Children's Museum - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Outboard Club - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Yacht Club - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Parrot Jungle Island - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/PublicFacilities/pages/WatsonIsland/ParkingFacilities.asp Parking Facilities] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- South Florida Business Journal - [1]
