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Miami Circle: See history, great views by foot or bike

Here’s a rare story for South Florida: A historic site on prime waterfront property was NOT sacrificed to make way for a luxury condo.

The site, which came to be called the Miami Circle, is not well marked or maintained, but it has a spectacular view and remarkable history.

Miami Circle Park view in downtown Miami
The view at the Miami Circle Park is spectacular. (Photo: David Blasco)

Here’s the back story:

In the 1999, another luxury condo was planned for a prime riverfront location in downtown Miami.

During the routine review of the site by county archaeologists, workers discovered a number of holes cut into the Oolitic limestone bedrock.

As they explored, they discovered the holes formed a 38-foot circle, what turned out to be a complex and planned architecture unique to the Tequesta Indians.

Archaeologist drawing of Miami Circle site

It became known around the world as the Miami Circle and, of course, this being South Florida, its owners exerted tremendous pressure to get that condo built.

The ensuing demonstrations by Native Americans, colorful New Agers, schoolchildren and history-loving Floridians made national news.

And an amazing thing happened: The Miami Circle was saved.

In February 2011, in a grand opening featuring a Native American ceremony, the site opened as a public park.

What will you find there now?

Sign for Miami Circle in Miami Circle Park
Signage explains the significance of the Miami Circle

Primarily, it’s an open space on the Miami River with a magnificent view and some interpretive signage. The circle itself is buried to preserve it.

Around the circle, chunks of white limestone are placed in an irregular pattern and serve as benches.

If you don’t know the story of “saving the circle,” you may be underwhelmed by the site, though it’s hard not to be impressed with the view.

A walking trail extends from the base of the Brickell Bridge, which is adjacent to the park, along the river and south to Biscayne Bay. It connects with an existing public baywalk behind a large condo complex.

Sign at Miami Circle Park on Miami River
Sign explains why this site was so important through the years.

There’s no easy parking, although some is planned under the bridge.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Miami Circle, visit the site by the Florida Department of State Bureau of Archealogical Research.

The Herald reports the Florida’s Department of State is accused of violating a contract to maintain the Miami Circle and that the sacred Tequesta site is poorly marked and difficult to access. As a result of these complaints, the state recently agreed to pay for routine maintenance, so conditions at the site should be improving.

If you’re planning to visit, the Miami Circle makes a great part of a scenic urban hike or bike trail.

The Miami Riverwalk Park along the south side of the river extends out to Brickell Key, an island in Biscayne Bay that is home to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The path around that island provides great views of the bay. (We were rewarded on our bike ride with a dolphin swimming by. )

If you’re on a bike, you should start at Bayfront Park, on the north side of the Miami River and then pedal over the Brickell Avenue bridge and stop by the Miami Circle. From there, take the Riverwalk out to Brickell Key, which is a joy to pedal around.

If you want a longer route, use the sidewalk to go south down busy Brickell Avenue.  A loop that takes you through parks (Simpson and Alice Wainwright) is described in this well-researched article about Miami bike tours from the Biscayne Times.

Miami Circle Park
401 Brickell Ave.,
Miami, FL 33131


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AnnMarie

Thursday 9th of February 2017

The Miami Circle is in a lovely park by the river surrounded by some awesome modern buildings. It is not marked very well so if I didn't know its location from google maps, I doubt I would have found it. Parking is nonexistent so my friend waited in the car for me. The middle of the circle has a sunken feel to it and the slate stones around it are in danger of being overtaken by grass. The grass itself was nicely clipped, unlike previos videos and pics where it was overgrown with dogs running around. Besides the People of Brickell plaque, I didn't see information about the circle and its excavation, which fortunately I already knew from previous research. Interestingly, while looking for the Circle, I found the former Brickell family Mausoleum on the south side of the neighboring building with the huge columns. That small park supposedly had Indian burials but I learned that after researching the Brickell Mausoleum when I got home. Date of visit was Sunday Feb. 5, 2017.

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