Kendale Lakes, Florida
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 25.708100, -80.407800
Climate: Climate and weather patterns in Kendale Lakes, United States vary throughout the year.
Population: 53392
Language: English
Kendale Lakes is a vibrant suburban community located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. Situated approximately 20 miles west of downtown Miami, This neighborhood offers residents a perfect blend of tranquility and convenience. Known for its picturesque landscapes and family-friendly atmosphere, Kendale Lakes has become a sought-after place to live. One of the defining features of Kendale Lakes is its stunning natural beauty. The area is dotted with numerous lakes, Giving the community its name and providing residents with breathtaking views and recreational opportunities. Residents can enjoy boating, Fishing or simply strolling along the peaceful shores.
The neighborhood boasts an array of housing options to suit various lifestyles. From spacious single-family homes to modern townhouses and apartments, There is something for everyone in Kendale Lakes. Many properties feature well-maintained yards adorned with lush tropical plants that thrive in Florida’s warm climate. Kendale Lakes also offers excellent amenities for its residents. The community is home to several parks that cater to outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. Indian Hammocks Park stands out as a favorite spot among locals due to its extensive walking trails, Picnic areas, Sports fields and playgrounds.
For those seeking retail therapy or dining options, Kendale Lakes has plenty to offer as well. The area boasts several shopping centers featuring popular retailers alongside local boutiques offering unique finds. Food lovers will appreciate the diverse culinary scene that ranges from international cuisine to traditional American fare. Education plays an essential role in Kendale Lake’s appeal as it hosts top-rated schools within close proximity. Families can rest assured knowing their children have access to quality education from preschool through high school years.
Transportation around Kendale Lakes is convenient due to its proximity to major roadways like the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and Don Shula Expressway (SR 874). This allows easy access not only within the neighborhood but also throughout Miami-Dade County. Kendale Lakes offers a picturesque suburban lifestyle with its natural beauty, Diverse housing options, Excellent amenities and convenient location. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat from the bustling city or a place to raise a family, This charming neighborhood has it all.
Important Landmarks
- Miccosukee Indian Village: Located just south of Kendale Lakes, this Native American village offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of the Miccosukee Tribe through exhibits, demonstrations, and guided tours.
- Zoo Miami: Formerly known as Miami MetroZoo, this zoological garden is one of the largest and oldest zoos in Florida. It houses over 3,000 animals from around the world and provides various educational programs for visitors.
- Everglades National Park: Situated to the west of Kendale Lakes, Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore the park’s vast wetlands by boat tours or hiking trails.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Located in Coral Gables near Kendale Lakes, this 83-acre botanical garden showcases an extensive collection of rare tropical plants from around the world. It features beautiful gardens with walking paths and hosts various events throughout the year.
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: A short drive north from Kendale Lakes brings you to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove. This historic Italian Renaissance-style villa was built in 1916 and now serves as a museum showcasing European art collections amidst stunning gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay.
- Coral Castle Museum: About 20 miles southwest of Kendale Lakes lies Coral Castle Museum in Homestead—a mysterious attraction built entirely by one man named Edward Leedskalnin using coral rock structures weighing several tons each.
- Art Deco Historic District (Miami Beach): Just east across Biscayne Bay, visitors can explore the iconic Art Deco Historic District in Miami Beach. This area is renowned for its vibrant architecture, trendy restaurants, boutique shops, and beautiful beaches.
While Kendale Lakes itself may not have major tourist attractions, its proximity to these notable landmarks and destinations makes it a convenient base for exploring the wider Miami-Dade County area.
Primary Industries
- Healthcare: Kendale Regional Medical Center is a major healthcare provider in the area. Additionally, there are various medical clinics and healthcare facilities serving the community.
- Retail: There are numerous retail establishments in Kendale Lakes, including shopping centers like London Square Mall and Kendall Village Center. These locations house various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Education: The area has several educational institutions such as Kendale Lakes Elementary School and Oliver Hoover Elementary School.
- Professional Services: Many professional services firms operate within or near Kendale Lakes, including law firms, accounting companies, real estate agencies, and consulting firms.
- Hospitality: With its proximity to popular tourist destinations like Miami Beach and Everglades National Park, Kendale Lakes benefits from the hospitality industry through hotels/motels catering to tourists visiting these areas.
- Construction: Given ongoing development projects in Miami-Dade County as a whole, construction companies play a significant role in providing infrastructure development services within or near Kendale Lakes.
- Transportation and Logistics: The area benefits from its location near major transportation routes such as Florida’s Turnpike (SR 821), making it an attractive hub for logistics companies involved in distribution activities.
- Recreation & Entertainment: Various recreational facilities exist nearby offering entertainment options to residents of Kendale Lakes such as parks (e.g., Westwind Lake Park) or sports complexes (e.g., Tamiami Park).
Please note that while this list provides an overview of major industries/businesses present in the general vicinity of Kendale Lakes; it may not be exhaustive or specific to this particular neighborhood alone since precise information about local businesses can vary over time.
Noteable History
- Development: Kendale Lakes was developed in the 1960s as a planned community by Alec Courtelis and Alfonso Milton. It was designed to be an affordable suburban neighborhood.
- Hurricane Andrew: In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, including Kendale Lakes. The hurricane caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the area.
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School: Although not located within Kendale Lakes itself but nearby in Parkland, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School gained international attention due to the tragic shooting that occurred on February 14, 2018. The incident sparked nationwide debates on gun control and school safety.
- Notable Residents: While there aren’t many famous individuals specifically associated with Kendale Lakes, some notable residents of Miami-Dade County include singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio Estefan Jr., basketball player Dwyane Wade (who played for the Miami Heat), and actor Andy Garcia.
Please note that these events/people may have broader significance beyond just Kendale Lakes but still have some connection or impact on the area or its residents.
Museums and Things To See
- Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium: Located in nearby Miami, this museum features interactive exhibits on science, technology, and astronomy.
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: A historic Italian Renaissance-style villa surrounded by beautiful gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay. It offers a glimpse into early 20th-century Florida living.
- The Wolfsonian-FIU: Situated in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, this museum showcases decorative arts from the Industrial Revolution to the present day.
- Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): A contemporary art museum located in downtown Miami that houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary artworks.
- HistoryMiami Museum: Focusing on the history and culture of South Florida, this museum offers exhibitions exploring various aspects of the region’s past.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: This stunning garden covers 83 acres with a vast collection of rare tropical plants from around the world.
- Deering Estate: A preserved historic site along Biscayne Bay featuring a mansion-turned-museum showcasing early 20th-century architecture and beautiful natural surroundings.
- Coral Castle Museum: Located in Homestead near Kendale Lakes, it displays unique sculptures carved from coral rock by Latvian-American artist Edward Leedskalnin.
- Everglades National Park: Just a short drive away from Kendale Lakes lies one of America’s most unique ecosystems – the Everglades – offering opportunities for wildlife spotting and eco-tours through its vast wetlands.
- Miccosukee Indian Village & Airboat Rides: Experience Native American culture at this village where you can learn about traditional crafts while enjoying thrilling airboat rides through the Everglades.
These attractions provide a diverse range of cultural, historical, and natural experiences in the vicinity of Kendale Lakes.
Sports Teams
- Miami Dolphins (NFL): The Miami Dolphins are a professional football team based in the greater Miami area. They were founded in 1966 and have had success throughout their history, including two Super Bowl victories.
- Miami Heat (NBA): The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in downtown Miami. They were established in 1988 and have won three NBA championships (2006, 2012, 2013) with star players like Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James.
- Florida Panthers (NHL): The Florida Panthers are an ice hockey team based in Sunrise, near Kendale Lakes. They joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1993 and reached the Stanley Cup Finals once during their history.
- Inter Miami CF (MLS): Inter Miami CF is a Major League Soccer team based in Fort Lauderdale near Kendale Lakes. Founded by David Beckham as an expansion team, they began playing competitively in 2020.
- University of Miami Hurricanes: The University of Miami Hurricanes represent the University of Miami’s athletic program across various sports including football, basketball, baseball, etc., competing at NCAA Division I level.
These are just a few examples of prominent sports teams from nearby regions that residents of Kendale Lakes may follow or support due to geographical proximity or personal preferences.
Cultural Events
- Art Basel Miami Beach: This renowned international art fair takes place annually in December at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It showcases modern and contemporary art from around the world.
- Calle Ocho Festival: Held on SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho) in Little Havana, this vibrant street festival celebrates Hispanic culture with live music performances, dancing, food vendors serving traditional Latin cuisine, and more.
- Ultra Music Festival: One of the world’s largest electronic music festivals held annually in March at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. It attracts top DJs and electronic music enthusiasts from around the globe.
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival: A premier culinary event featuring celebrity chefs showcasing their talents through cooking demonstrations, tastings, seminars, wine pairings, and various food-related activities.
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival: Taking place during Presidents’ Day weekend each year in Coconut Grove’s historic neighborhood near Kendale Lakes; it is one of Florida’s largest outdoor arts festivals with over 360 artists displaying their work.
- Carnaval Miami/Calle Ocho Carnival: A month-long celebration leading up to Calle Ocho Festival that includes various events like beauty pageants (Miss Carnaval/Mr.Carnaval), cooking competitions (Carnaval on The Mile), concerts (Carnival Live!), and more.
These are just a few examples of the numerous cultural events and festivals that occur within close proximity to Kendale Lakes due to its location within Greater Miami area.
Cuisine
- El Rinconcito Latino: A family-owned Cuban restaurant known for its authentic Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja and Picadillo.
- La Carreta: A well-known Cuban restaurant chain offering traditional Cuban fare such as Cuban sandwiches, lechon asado (roast pork), and arroz con pollo (chicken with rice).
- Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant: A Mexican eatery serving classic Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas.
- Sushi Sake Kendale Lakes: A local favorite for Japanese cuisine offering an extensive menu of sushi rolls, sashimi, teriyaki dishes, and more.
- Mr & Mrs Bun: This burger joint is famous for its gourmet burgers made with high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
- The Fish House Miami: Known for its fresh seafood offerings including ceviche, fish tacos, grilled fish platters, and other seafood delicacies.
- El Atlakat Restaurant & Pupuseria: Specializing in Salvadoran cuisine with a focus on pupusas – thick handmade corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings like cheese or meat.
- Versailles Bakery & Café: An iconic Miami establishment renowned for its delicious pastries such as guava pastelitos (pastries) and croquetas along with traditional Cuban coffee.
- Pho 79 Vietnamese Noodle Soup & Grill: Offering authentic Vietnamese pho noodle soup along with other Vietnamese specialties like banh mi sandwiches and spring rolls.
- My Ceviche Kendale Lakes: A casual seafood spot serving fresh ceviche bowls made from sustainably sourced fish along with other seafood options like poke bowls or shrimp tacos.
These are just a few examples of the popular local cuisine and restaurants you can find in Kendale Lakes. The area offers a diverse culinary scene with options to satisfy various tastes and preferences.
Parks and Recreation
- Kendale Lakes Park: This park offers various amenities such as basketball courts, baseball fields, a playground, picnic areas, and walking trails.
- West Kendall District Park: This expansive park features soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park, a playground area for kids of all ages and walking trails.
- Olympic Park: Located adjacent to Kendale Lakes Elementary School this park has a large open field perfect for playing sports or having picnics.
- Miccosukee Golf & Country Club: This golf course offers an 18-hole championship course that is open to the public. It also has practice facilities including driving ranges and putting greens.
- Tamiami Trail Park & Recreation Center: This facility includes multiple sports fields (soccer/baseball), basketball courts and tennis courts along with a recreation center offering classes and programs for all ages.
- Indian Hammocks Park: Situated nearby in neighboring Kendall this park provides nature trails through hammock forests along with picnic areas and fishing spots.
- Tropical Park: Located just south of Kendale Lakes this expansive park offers numerous recreational activities including jogging paths, bike rentals; soccer fields; batting cages; tennis; volleyball; football stadium etc.