Everglades NP plans "eco-friendly" rebuild of Flamingo facilities

Everglades National Park has had its fair share of damage from hurricanes over the years, and it wasn’t just Hurricane Andrews that caused significant damage.  Wilma and Katrina in 2005 wiped out the historic cottages and lodge at Flamingo that local residents and international visitors alike had frequented for generations. 

When the park announced that a new and eco-friendly design had been completed, the local media jumped on the opportunity to let the community know that there was a new plan and to remind all of what Flamingo had looked like in 2005 right after the storm.

Some key features of the plan include:

• A new 30-unit lodge providing modest hotel-like accommodations near  Florida Bay and within easy walking distance to the visitor center, marina, restaurant, pool, and amphitheater.
• Twenty four elevated cottages (one and two-bedroom units) in twelve duplex buildings that will replace the old ground-level cottages. 
• A redesigned marina peninsula that will be an improved hub for water-based recreational activities. The current marina building will be replaced with an elevated structure, while redesigned public use and parking areas will improve waterfront viewing and gathering spaces, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation. 
• The visitor center will be renovated and remain the first stop and main hub for visitor information, orientation, interpretation, and check in for overnight stays. 

When completed, there will also be a wider range of camping options for visitors, including redesigned walk-in tent sites, a new group camping area, and 40 eco-tent sites that would be available during the peak visitor season.  All camping areas would be located adjacent to Florida Bay and along a bay-front trail.

— USNPS Daily Digest