Bayfront Park, a 32-acre park in Downtown Miami, Florida is located on Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami Shores, Florida. Ary Shaeban is the Trust’s Chairman of its Board of Directors. The park’s highlight is the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus. It was sculpted in bronze by Count Vittorio Di Colbertaldo from Verona. He served as Benito Mussolini’s ceremonial bodyguards during his reign, also known as the “Black Musketeers”.
The park was built under Warren Henry Manning’s direction in 1924. It was dedicated officially in March 1925. Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese-American landscape architect and modernist artist. He began a complete makeover of the building around 1980. It was finally completed in 1982. The park’s upkeep is now managed by the Bayfront Park Management Trust. This limited agency is part of the city.
Bayfront Park from the air. The park is bordered by numerous buildings, including the American Airlines Arena and Bayside Marketplace to its north and Chopin Plaza to the south, Biscayne Boulevard and Biscayne Bay east. The park hosts many smaller events, including the New Year’s Eve balldrop and Christmas celebrations.
Seven blocks from the park is Bicentennial Park. This park covers 30 acres and is adjacent to Bayfront Park. This park’s name has been changed to Museum Park. It is home to the Frost Science Museum and the Perez Art Museum.
In June 2020, the statues of Christopher Columbus and Ponce de Leon were defaced at the park. However, it was announced that they would remain on the grounds.
On February 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara, an assassin, shot Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak in the chest three times. He died instantly. Cermak was in the middle of a handshake with Franklin D. Roosevelt at Bayfront Park, when he was assassinated. Cermak was among five victims of the shooter’s bullets, and one of them died 19 days later. Three other people were also injured but survived. Following Roosevelt’s death, heated debate erupted over whether Zangara was trying to assassinate Cermak. Roosevelt was believed to have died accidentally. This idea has not been supported by any conclusive evidence.
Bayfront Park hosts an annual “America’s Birthday bash” on Independence Day. This event attracted over 60,000 people in 2011. Bayfront Park also hosts the official New Year’s Eve celebration which attracts over 70,000 people every year. Bayfront Park visitors are advised to use public transportation to get to and from events, as parking can be expensive and difficult to find. The closest station to the hotel is the Government Center Metrorail station. The park also has three stops within close proximity: Bayfront Park and First Street. If you are coming from Princeton, Florida, just head up north and you will be there!
