Greynolds Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), officially opening on March 29, 1936. Under the direction of landscape architect, William Lyman Phillip, the task force – a group of World War I veterans and unemployed teens – transformed an ugly landscape pockmarked with rock pits and refuse into an attractive public park. They built roads, trails, bridges and landscaping. Rock pits became cool, glistening lagoons. A boat house, caretaker’s house and restrooms were fashioned from sturdy oolite.  The hardwood hammock was left alone. One of the highlights of Greynolds Park is the climb to “the mound,” a rocky elevation that served as the highest point in what was then Dade County.  In 1968, more than 3,000 hippies  converged on the park for an Easter “love-in,” with music provided by the Grateful Dead. In the early 1970s, the park’s wooded areas became a popular hangout for drug users, resulting in weekly large-scale drug raids and confrontations between police and teens. In 1983, the park was declared a historic site by the Historic Preservation Board. With its open air rookery, nature and bicycle trails, boat rentals and natural beauty, Greynolds Park remains one of Miami-Dade County’s most valued public spaces.

5/11/1967, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Cub Scouts on a nature study trail in Greynolds park.

12/3/1967, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

3/21/1966, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

8/11/1963, Tom McCarthy/Miami Herald Staff: Kids and grown ups were attracted to the old castle.

9/17/1962, Ron Wahl/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

9/7/1967, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

This scene is designed to make homesick anyone who has ever traveled down the Ohio or Mississippi rivers in a paddlewheel boat. But no need to feel nostalgic. Just go to Greynolds Park and hop a ride on the Dixie Belle, a diminutive showboat. And make believe.

3/12/1966, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: This scene is designed to make homesick anyone who has ever traveled down the Ohio or Mississippi rivers in a paddlewheel boat. But no need to feel nostalgic. Just go to Greynolds Park and hop a ride on the Dixie Belle, a diminutive showboat. And make believe.

12/4/1967, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Bill Irwin, and daughter Robin 1 1/2, of Hollywood, both enjoy the ride down one of the new type slides on display on grouds at Greynolds Park.

5/11/1967, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Lots to see for Cub Scouts out on a nature study trail in Greynolds Park

2/8/1970, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Action at Greynolds Park.

8/6/1966, Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff: Concrete hill. The patter of little adventuresome feet foreshadowed extinction of one of the natural wonders hereabouts --a hill. So when time and the footballs of tiny mountain scalers began to tell around the base of Greynolds Park Fort, employees spread a level of concrete. It may save the hill, but it sure is tough on the soles of little explorers.

Boy in white shirt Joey Sahdala Mr. Charles at fort

Greynolds Park scene with hopeful fisherman

7/26/1965, Bob East/Miami Herald Staff: Dreamer. Tackle box and lunch bag by his side, this young Greynolds Park fisherman enjoys a bit of day dreaming, probably hoping for the moment no fish grabs his line and breaks the spell. For the younger population, the summer is fleeting past and just a month or so remains before it'll be time to return to the books and save the dreams until another day.

3/18/1963, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff: Tony Ghamo and his pet bird. His feathered friend chases everybody, even his wife.

Jr. fishing contest Greynolds Park

5/21/1946, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Small fry wait for kayak rides at Greynolds Park.

Lost in the woods at Greynolds Park

6/15/1964, Albert Coya/Miami Herald Staff: Adventure! Lost in the woods at Greynolds Park. It's just a stroll in Greynolds Park in Dade County, but one can doubt if Columbus, Magellan, or Lewis and Clark were ever more thrilled. What new vistas! Strange faces.Butterflies. Birds.Stones. Flowers. Trees. Loving eyes never let little people out of sight, but for the little people, a short stroll means a great adventure into the unknown.

All the world is air-conditioned-but you have to know how to take advantage of it. Dale Leggett found one way in the arms of an old tree in Greynolds Park. After a long bicycle ride, she settled down for a long cool nap-- and found that the tree's bark was better than the bike.

6/3/1963, John Pineda/Miami Herald Staff: All the world is air-conditioned-but you have to know how to take advantage of it. Dale Leggett found one way in the arms of an old tree in Greynolds Park. After a long bicycle ride, she settled down for a long cool nap-- and found that the tree's bark was better than the bike.

3/18/1963, Joe Schuppe/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

8/7/1962, Wayne Warren/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

4/21/1949, Bill Stapleton/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

2/8/1970, Dave Didio/Miami Herald Staff: Scene at Greynolds Park.

4/21/1949, Bill Stapleton/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

4/21/1949, Bill Stapelton/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

9/7/1954, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

9/7/1954, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

On the highlights of Greynolds Park is the climb to this rocky elevation--highest point in Dade county

6/20/1943, Miami Herald Staff: One of the highlights of Greynolds Park is the climb to this rocky elevation--highest point in Dade county.

5/21/1946, Bill Kuenzel/Miami Herald Staff: Greynolds Park.

5/12/1968, John Wlather/Miami Herald Staff: A wedding in Greynolds Park. John Hawley and, bride, Ronnie Cass are serenaded with love ballad, My Girl.

3/12/1968, John Walther/Miami Herald Staff: A wedding at Greynolds Park.