Tamiami Park facts for kids

Tamiami Park is a large public park located in Miami, Florida. It's a popular spot for sports, events, and community gatherings. You can find it just south of the Florida International University's Modesto Maidique campus.

Park History and Development

Tamiami Park was built in the late 1960s. It was created on the land where the old Tamiami Airport used to be. The airport had to move because the area around it grew very busy. Also, planes flying to Miami International Airport used a nearby flight path, making it unsafe for the smaller airport to stay. The airport was rebuilt as a larger one called Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, further south in Kendall.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Many exciting things have happened at Tamiami Park over the years. The Fair Expo Center, which hosts the big Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, is right next to the park.

In the mid-1970s, a swimming pool was added to the park. This pool was special because it used modern solar panels to heat the water. This was a very cool and eco-friendly idea for its time!

A very important event happened in September 1987. Pope John Paul II visited and held a huge outdoor mass (a religious service) for about 150,000 people. It was a massive gathering for the community.

Sports and Stadiums

Tamiami Park has also been a big place for sports. Tamiami Stadium, sometimes called Tamiami Field, was located here until 1995. That's when FIU Stadium was built nearby on the university campus.

The Miami Toros, a professional soccer team from the North American Soccer League, played their games at Tamiami Stadium during the 1976 season. They even used the field for a playoff game in 1974.

Exciting Auto Racing Events

For a few years, from 1985 to 1988, Tamiami Park hosted a thrilling Champ Car series race. This event was known as the Grand Prix of Miami. Race fans loved watching the fast cars speed around the track right here in Miami.