The Village of Pinecrest is situated in Miami-Dade County near the Atlantic Ocean in South Florida real estate. Once an aviary for 'free birds,' Pinecrest FL real estate is now home to 20,000 residents.
During the construction of the Overseas Railroad to the Florida Keys in the beginning of the 1900s, Miami pioneer and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler staged equipment in Pinecrest near U.S. 1 and Southwest 102 Street. As growth continued during throughout the 1930s, tourists were drawn to several attractions in the area. By the 1950s and 1960s, a flurry of ranch-style single-family Miami FL homes on 1-acre lots laid the foundation for the community's rural character that ensues to this day.
The most famous attraction in Pinecrest was the Parrot Jungle and Gardens, one of the first destination spots in the Miami vicinity. Parrot Jungle was founded by Franz and Louise Scherr. Scherr owned and operated a feed and supply store in Homestead and decided to build an attraction where birds would 'fly free.'
He rented a 20-acre parcel of hammock land for $25 a year and built a winding nature trail through the coral rock and hammock land. All of the natural plants were left undisturbed. Opening on December 20, 1936 to a hundred visitors who paid 25 cents each, Sherr gave guided tours. He spoke appreciatively about his fascinating birds, trees, and flowers. Soon people came from around the world to marvel at his side.
Another popular tourist attraction, the Miami Serpentarium, featured snakes, lizards, other reptiles and amphibians, was located on U.S. 1 for many decades. It closed in the middle of the 1980s.
Because of rapid growth during the 1990s, residents determined to incorporate the area. Today Pinecrest is governed by a five member Village Council in the Council-Manager form of government. Since incorporating on March 12, 1996, the village has established municipal services including police, parks and recreation, building and planning services, and public works. Residents have launched beautification projects, planted thousands of trees, repaved roads, and posted unique street signs. The community has also integrated itself with Wi-Fi technology.
In 2002, the Village purchased Parrot Jungle, moved the location of the attraction and redeveloped the land into the Pinecrest Gardens, the ultimate park in the Village's park system. On the site of the former Parrot Jungle, Pinecrest Gardens features programs such as summer camps. A public library branch opened adjacent to the new Community Center in Pinecrest Gardens. Additionally, several new parks including Flagler Grove Park have been created in the new little village.
For more information, contact the Herman Group.