The Coral Gables Times

Whole Family Will Enjoy This Unusual Park

By EDDIE BLACK Correspondent By driving south on U.S. Highway 1 to Princeton, Fla., turning west on Coconut Palm Drive, and going straight for five miles you can easily reach one of Dade County's interesting sights — Redland Fruit and Spice Park. Redland Park is a show-place as well as an integral part of an expanding rural farming community. It features several hundred mature trees and shrubs bearing and blooming year round, showing what will grow well in southeast Florida without specialized care. "The park averages more than 30 visitors per day," says Mrs. Charles Knapp, park assistant. "Our biggest season is the winter, because of the tourist season of South Florida." Visitors may take guided tours through the park every Sunday at 3 p.m. or every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The park is open every day, however, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Visitors may tour the park on their own during these hours. Picnic facilities and group tours may be arranged by reservation. The idea for the park was conceived by Dade County's park department as early as 1935 but did not become a reality until 1944. In 1943 the original acreage, site of a country fair and recreation area, was purchased. Eventually two more acres were acquired and the park grew to its present twenty. A. D. Barnes, former director of Dade parks, first had the idea but was called into the service. Mrs. Mary Heinlein, a local horticulturist, took a small work crew, a surveyor's plane table and pick axes into the field to bring into reality the landscape design of William Lyman Phillips. Mrs. Heinlein and her crew fashioned the park into being. She became the Redland Fruit and Spice Park's first superintendent and held this position until her retirement in 1959. It was through her efforts that trees were imported, many with Mrs. Heinlein's own funds. Dec. 17th's the Date Mark the date of Monday, Dec. 17th, on your calendar. That's the night the Christmas lights are turned on at Redland Spice and Fruit Park. Times' 7:30 p.m. Santa will be there and refreshments will be served. Today the colorful 20-acre spectacle is a place where persons may come to see what plants will look like in 10 to 15 years when planted to decorate South Florida's homes and gardens. The Redland Park booklet lists 178 different types of trees, some of which are poisonous. The poisonous trees are in a fenced area in order to protect visitors. "The purpose of our featuring poisonous trees," says Mrs. Knapp, "is to educate the public to plants which may harm them." Information in the booklet includes the scientific and common name of each tree, its native country, its medicinal and economic uses, its uses as food, and its poison and allergy producing properties. This enables the visitor to understand what he observes without benefit of the guided tour. Redland Fruit and Spice Park is open seven days a week, year round. Besides featuring the botanical aspect of the park, Redland assistants maintain a year round instructional and recreational program. Programs are offered in landscaping, gardening, pest control, ceramics, oil painting, sewing, cooking, upholstering, and leatherworking as well as in ballroom dancing. The park's office buildings serve as a meeting place for community meetings and lectures. Redland Fruit and Spice Park is operated and maintained by the Dade County Park and Recreation Department. Admission to the park is free. Most programs are for adults only and run eight weeks, meeting once a week for three hours. Tuition for most courses is $5 per course. "Many of our students," says Mrs. Knapp, "come from as far as Homestead and South Miami."

CHATTING at a reception held Wednesday evening of last week are Dr. C. H. McDevitt Jr. and Mrs. Mary Reeder (right). That's Mrs. McDevitt center. Occasion was the Citizens Advisory Board cocktail affair at the McDevitt home. He's chairman of the board of directors of Doctors' Hospital and Mrs. Reeder the administrator. (Photo for the Times by W. A. Kennedy).

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EXCEPT SUNDAY 8:00 NO MINORS Biscayne DOG TRACK 320 N.W. 115th St. Sept. 28 - Jan. 12

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Dr. of Chiropractic Completing 10 yrs. of successful General Practice announces The Removal of His Offices From 4329 S.W. 8th St. To 6205 BIRD ROAD Open House Sun. Dec. 9 Between 2 & 4 P.M. Friends & Neighbors Are Invited To. Visit The New Modern Offices! "Refreshments Will Be Served"

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CORAL GABLES MIAMI PERRINE SEE THE YELLOW PAGES

Dutch Oven for sweets & such like

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