Everglades National Park - Flamingo Master Plan Completed‏

[Ted]

ENP announce the release of the Flamingo Master Plan and Design Program. The
master plan is based on the Flamingo Commercial Services Plan completed in
2008 and provides guidance to establish a “new Flamingo” – an eco-friendly
destination with a greater variety of lodging options and visitor
amenities, while the design program component further defines the many
plan features (such as preliminary site locations and designs, cost
estimates), including the park’s commitment to creating a sustainable
Flamingo.

 

Below is a link to their website that has more info

 

http://www.nps.gov/ever/parkmgmt/flamingomasterplan.htm

 

While there you may want to take a look at their Tamiami Trail Modifications: Next Steps Project too.

 

http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/featuredpublication.htm

 

[yakmaster]

Thanks for the post!

The new Flamingo will be smaller, denser and easier to get around in.

But the new Flamingo is several years and much, much, much dinero away...

The good news is that the design is stageable which means that as $$$ appear, the earlier, cheaper components can be implemented.

The redesign and updating of the campsite loops is already underway.

Also take a look at the commercial services plan, which will bring it all together. Page 8 is the decription:

SELECTED ALTERNATIVE
As previously described, the preferred alternative, Alternative D, is the selected alternative. Alternative D consists of a combination of elements from Alternatives B and C of the draft CSP/EA, and takes into consideration public input and the original purpose, need, and objectives of the plan. The components of the preferred alternative are detailed in the Errata (Appendix A).
Like Alternative C, the preferred alternative will provide a mix of commercial services to accommodate a wide range of visitor preferences and needs, with an emphasis on eco-friendly concepts and sustainable design features. The mix of accommodations will reflect the market for a more eco-friendly destination (a single, elevated lodge; elevated cottages; houseboats; ecotents; RV campground with electric hookups; backcountry chickees in Florida Bay), and the numbers and sizes of these facilities will reflect what is likely necessary for profitability by a future concessioner. Like Alternative B, the RV campsite will remain at T Loop, but will be upgraded with electrical hookups. Eco Pond will remain a visitor use area, while the area it occupies will continue to restore itself in the coming years, and an environmentally-friendly swimming pool will be provided as part of the new lodge.
The site design and the redevelopment of the Flamingo area will allow the area to function more efficiently for visitors, the concessioner, and the Park, than it did in the past. The new design will facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access and circulation throughout the Flamingo area. The lodge and cottages will be located in proximity to the marina and visitor center, while the RV campsite will remain at T Loop. A Flamingo circulator shuttle will transport visitors to key destinations within the Flamingo area and a “Yellow Bike” system will provide overnight guests with enhanced access to the marina, restaurant, lodging, and other visitor services, while reducing the frequency of private vehicle use. As a result of this reconfiguration, approximately 50 acres within the Flamingo developed area will be restored to their previous natural conditions, including 28 acres at the former B and C Loops and 22 acres in the old lodge and cottage areas.
Because funding may not be immediately available to support the construction of all the proposed facilities at the same time, the plan may be implemented and constructed in phases. Most likely, the sequence for implementation will be in the following four phases:
1. Houseboats, additional food service in the marina area, backcountry chickees, electric hook-ups for the RV sites, solar hot showers at the camping area restrooms. Flamingo circulator shuttle, additional canoes, kayaks, and bicycles.
2. Cottages, gift shop, and Snake Bight Tram.
3. Ecotent facilities.
4. Lodge (with restaurant, lounge and swimming pool).

[toofaraway]

the swimming pool should be first on the list! Hey, I swam there in it's 4th Season and it's last, c'mon. Grillin by the pool - excellent option. Must be available to all campers.

Actually I like the plan from what I've read and seen. More non motorized options is excellent. A trend in grant funding toward NM activities in general is what I've heard from the Federal level. Better chickee access and kayak friendly launch areas? Bike lanes and trails for my area...

TFA
95F in Seattle

[Wayne Wells]

Solar hot water for the showers will be sweet.

[yakmaster]

Interesting thing about the pool is that it was seen as "ungreen & unnecessary" so the planners were going to leave it out.

All the Flamingo staff folks got up in arms & they had to put it back in.

In the summer...it's all they've got to keep from going crazy!

[Miami101]

The park really needs any help it can get. What I wish I could do is under take a project to clear all the Canoe, Kayak tails, walking paths, and document them, but from working on the Home Stead I know this is some hard work. It would be nice if when the they completed the rebuild a tail project could be also completed at the same time.

That would take man power, and locking down our ego's. I can dream..............................

[Swamp Ape]

Hey Miami 101, we're still out clearing the canals.
The egos and critics have moved on and the hardcore dedicated have been continuing the mission.
By the time the "Master plan" is completed we should have cleared most, if not all, of the trails in Flamingo.
As long as participants adhere to the ENP policies and respect the efforts of others, anyone is welcome.
The ongoing goal of the Swamp Apes is to help the ENP visitors access the Everglades wilderness.
In so doing, we hope to preserve, protect and promote the Everglades through our achievments.
We believe that by clearing and maintaining wilderness access areas the visitors will have great experiences.
In creating opportunity for the public to have these memorable adventures, they'll return to their lives with a greater understanding of the need to support Everglades restoration.
Once the lodge is built and an increase of tourists visit the park, they'll enjoy the fruits of our labor.
All our work is done with the approval and knowledge of the ENP and adheres to wilderness ethics guidelines.
For those interested go to www.SwampApes.com and send an email.
Miami101 your attitude and energy is missed and is always welcome out there.
For those who haven't been, but are intrigued, I need only say the following.
Gator lake is beautiful this time of year.
Paddling the Fox Lakes is like stepping back in time.
Walking the "Old Ingraham higway" northwest of Bear Lake is as raw a ramble as you can get.
The clearing of the Homestead canal from Bear Lake to Gator Lake has begun.
We'll be returning soon. Come join us.
No judgements, just supportive, safe, like minded camaraderie for a cause that's greater than us all.

[toofaraway]

Swamp ape, many thanks to you and all the other Apers out there for the incredible work you're doing. My best early memories are of canoe trips to Bear Lake and Mud Lake. We used to do a loop on Mud Lake, leaving the canal well before Bear Lake and coming back onto the canal just before Bear Lake. Do you know about that route?

Cheers!

TFA

[Swamp Ape]

toofaraway, yes the Mud Lake Loop was the route we took in June of '09 to celebrate the reopening of the Bear Lake Canoe Trail (BLCT) to Bear Lake.
We cut away the final main obstructions and were able to paddle that section of the Homestaed canal, unobstructed, for the first time in many years.
We paddled from the BLCT put in, through the Mud Lake creek to Mud Lake, out to Coot bay, down the Buttonwood to the BLCT take out. Probably the same route you took all those years ago.
We make the run every so often to make sure it remains open.
The Mud Lake creek was put on the National Register of Historic places somewhat recently.
It is supposed to have been dug by the Calusa.
Thanks for understanding and appreciating our work.
If you're not toofaraway...come out and join us.
I'd love to hear your reminiscences.

[toofaraway]

It's been so many years now but I could swear that we used to be able to get into Mud Lake by two routes, both from the BLCT. The first entrance was about halfway to Bear Lake and was tricky. The second one from near the end of the BLCT was always open and obvious. I've never done the loop over to Coot Bay but I definitely remember going out the BLCT, into Bear Lake, into Mud Lake and returning to the BLCT, intersecting it about halfway back to the ramp. We were on ranger-led trips with Tropical Audubon. About 10 years ago I did the BLCT and remember seeing low area on the right as we paddled to Bear Lake. It was way overgrown but it used to go through to Mud. Anyhoo, if I get down there again this Winter I'll try to look you all up and lend a hand!

TFA
Bainbridge Island, WA

[Jared E]

Thanks for your hard work swamp ape. Glad to hear your starting clearing to Gator Lake. By the way, when I was there earlier this year (Gator Lake). I was thinking they should change the name to Croc Lake. I counted about 20 of them out there.

-Jared E.

[yakmaster]

The Bear Lake Canal goes straight, except for a jog to the south and then back to the straight line, to go around Bear Lake Mound. If you look on the mapquest aerial (better resolution here that GE) you can see a small pond just north of the west side of the bend. and a couple of other ponds north of there. Then a little to the NE of there Mud Lake has a little cove that could be the mouth of a creek...could this be the creek that you remember from your youth???

It would make sense that the indians would have a creek along the side of the mound...

What say ye Swamp Ape? Poked around in the area?

[Swamp Ape]

Yea, the old Calusa canal paralleled, and was used in part for the Homestead canal in that area.
Remnants of it still remain.
Clogged with debris, but still noticable, the old Calusa canal snaked around the mounds.
Mud Lake definitely had access to the mounds district.
There is one old canal that I know of that went from Mud Lake to the mounds area.
That too is clogged with debris.
The little pond you noticed just west of the bend is very shallow.
During this time of year it's easily paddled, if you don't mind the mosquitoes.
It's directly accessible from the BLCT.
There's a great Red Mangrove tree limb in that area that allows for climbing above the canal.
It's a great photo opp spot.
Yakmaster and Jared E, if you come out with us a day or so, I'd be more than happy to snap a picture of you climbing over the canal.
If you're interested go to www.SwampApes.com, click on the email link, and I'll give you our schedule.
Gator Lake is definitely still "Croc Lake", though I think the crocs took a hit from the long cold.
Thanks for your interest and encouraging words.