Naty K.
Yelp
West Lake is an interesting park, with lots of activities, as well as a historical connection. There is evidence to suggest that this land was used in the 19th century by the Seminoles and hosted part of the Second Seminole War. This was also an important bootlegging site during Prohibition when liquor was smuggled from the Bahamas, earning the waterway the name "Whiskey Creek." Now, the three-mile strip of mangrove-occupied lands west of the intercoastal is a park for all to enjoy, while offering many activities.
There is a $1.50 per person admission fee to enter. Like most urban parks, there are picnic shelters, and there are also a couple of playgrounds, one of which is a wet playground. There is a paved walking path for cyclists or skaters, two basketball courts, four racquetball courts, two sand volleyball courts, and four tennis courts and even a boat dock. Seems they have everyone covered!
The best thing about this park for me is the marina, as they provide canoe and kayak rentals. Rentals are $14 per hour, $24 for two hours, and $30 for four hours. Rentals include boat, paddles, and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. If you have never kayaked or canoed, I highly recommend it. I have done it twice and have not tired of it. In fact, I want to return! It gives you a unique perspective on the wildlife, so you can see the wildlife at eye level, while getting your heart rate up, and toning your arms and upper back. It's a beautiful and fun way to exercise (this coming from someone who hates gyms). You get to see wading birds, fiddler crabs, and the mangroves.
At first, it may be hard to control the watercraft around the zig-zagging bends and the mangroves, but once you get the hang of it, it's smooth sailing, and lots of fun. The water's quite shallow in most parts, so drowning's not really a concern. There are three different trails, some of which are harder to navigate or take longer to navigate. My friend and I finished our trail way ahead of time, even though we spent lots of time in the open waters of the intercoastal just paddling around in the rippling waters. I guess we're semi-pros!
It's a shame that there aren't more parks offering a kayaking and canoeing option. Oleta doesn't rent canoes, only kayaks, and the only park I know of in Miami that does is way down south in Homestead...the Everglades. In Palm Beach, there's also the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge for canoe rentals, or you can go to Jupiter and canoe the Loxahatchee River.
The watercraft rentals at West Lake are very popular due to their location and their affordability when compared to the rental prices at others parks. You will more than likely wait in line and even then, end up with a wet life jacket. It is advised you arrive as early as possible as there's high demand and the earlier you arrive, the likelier you will be to immediately get a boat and perhaps even a dry life jacket. Hurry up and get to paddling, before summer comes and the heat makes it unbearable to do so.
