That’s the problem with plans to redevelop Watson Island into condos and a free waterfront park.
The Miami theme park dates back to 1936, when it opened as Parrot Jungle in what is now Pinecrest. In 2003, the park moved to Watson Island along Miami’s MacArthur Causeway.
The attraction added other animals and a large complex for meetings and banquets.
Over the years, there have been plans to transform the property into Eco Park Adventure A zip line and a hotel were planned for the land. But those plans fell through and are now giving way to another proposal to build a large apartment complex and a free park on the 18-acre property.
Now, let’s take a look at the old Parrot Jungle and the new Jungle Island through the years in these photos from the Miami Herald archives:
Jungle Island now
An aerial view of Jungle Island, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, where a real estate developer wants to build a condo development and a free park on the site of Jungle Island in Miami. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Aerial view of the jungle island. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Aerial view of the jungle island. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Jungle Island’s sailboat-shaped landmark stands out against the Miami skyline on Friday, June 15, 2012. Martha Halper Miami Herald Archives
Students take a break from their written exams and warm up in the South Florida sun. Middle school students compete in the Miami-Dade/Monroe Spelling Bee on Jungle Island, Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Carl Just Miami Herald Archives
Jermal Trammel performs at Jungle Island on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. More than 50 members of the Wounded Warrior Program visited the park before the annual Soldier’s Ride, a five-day rehabilitation bike ride across South Florida to Key West. Patrick Farrell Miami Herald Archives
Flamingos shine like jewels against a backdrop of lush greenery at Jungle Island on Friday, June 15, 2012. Martha Halper Miami Herald Archives
What the hotel and adventure park will look like
A rendering of the renovated Jungle Island seen from Biscayne Bay. The renovation will add an artificial lagoon and seven zip line towers.
Architectural renderings on the right show conceptual designs for the planned hotel at the Jungle Island attraction on Watson Island, and on the left is a remodeled Ichimura Miami Japanese Gardens. Miami Herald Archives
What Parrot Jungle looked like in its original location
This resident of Parrot Jungle rides his bike to get a better look at the natural Florida hammock located on the original site of the pine forest.
Macaws from Parrot Jungle pose for fans. Miami Herald Archives
An old Parrot Jungle billboard on South Dixie Highway is a landmark in itself. Al Diaz Miami Herald Archives
Parrot Jungle
Winston Churchill, Butch’s Cockatoo and Marco, a military macaw, at Parrot Jungle, 1946. Miami Herald Archives
A jogger passes the old entrance to Parrot Jungle, built in 1936. Richard Patterson Miami Herald Archives / 2001
