Brewer Park is a neighborhood park located in the historic Cambridge Lawns neighborhood of South Miami. Situated along the Broad Canal, Cambridge Lawns was platted in 1925 by Auburn educated builder William J. McLeod, who was inspired by the opening of the nearby University of Miami, less than a mile away. Streets throughout the neighborhood were named after renowned universities, including Harvard Avenue, Princeton Boulevard, and Clemson Avenue. The community's landscaped lawns were modeled after the college greens and riverside parks of Cambridge University in England.
The neighborhood consists of approximately 30 charming English Tudor cottages, Mediterranean-inspired homes, and Spanish bungalows dating from the 1920s. It was originally marketed to "persons of moderate means or fixed incomes." In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, Cambridge Lawns was designated a historic district by the City of South Miami in 2005.
On the western edge of the neighborhood sits Brewer Park, where the Brewer Canal widens into a scenic lake. The park was named in 1956 in honor of longtime resident George Brewer (1888-1958), "A loyal citizen of the City of South Miami. He worked constantly for the improvement of the entire community."
Today, the park offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a raised wooden observation deck overlooking the lake, a gazebo, two tennis courts, two handball courts, a basketball half-court, and a covered tot-lot playground.
My favorite feature of the park was the observation deck overlooking the lake formed by the Brewer Canal. During my visit, I spotted several bird species, including a yellow-crowned night heron. This park is perfect South Miami destination for play, sports, fishing, history, and bird watching. read more