Homestead National Parks Trolley Returns to Meet Growing Demand

Ranger Thomson awaits visitors to the park

JRoark National Park Service

News Release Date: November 21, 2014

Contact: General Park Informaiton, 305-242-7700

Contact: Media Contact Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017

Contact: Media Contact Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Homestead's award-winning National Parks Trolley returns for its second season, from November 22, 2014 through April 26, 2015, with more tour times to meet growing demand. Free transportation, parking and narrated tours are provided, as well as waived entrance fees to Everglades National Park, as part of this innovative partnership and public service. The trolley provides the only available public transportation to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks.

"The Homestead National Parks Trolley is a great way to experience these amazing places," said Acting Superintendent Bob Krumenaker. "We are thankful to the City of Homestead's Vice Mayor Stephen Shelley and his staff for the effort they have put into the Gateway City initiative, and the benefits provided by the trolley to connect tourists and local communities with the beauty of the park."

Launched in January, the Homestead National Parks Trolley brought thousands of visitors from historic downtown Homestead to the national parks. At Everglades National Park, the trolley travels to the Ernest Coe Visitor Center and then the park's entrance fee is waived to visit Anhinga Trail. The trolley also takes visitors to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and boardwalk at Biscayne National Park. In Homestead, visitors may enjoy area restaurants, the beautiful historic architecture of the city and the free Old Town Hall Museum. It also stops in Miami-Dade County's Homestead Bayfront Park where visitors can swim at the atoll beach. On the trolley visitors may enjoy a free narrated tour and learn about the history and ecosystems of the national parks and how they relate to the history of Homestead and Miami-Dade County.

The trolley operates every weekend from November 22, 2014 through April 26, 2015. The trolley stop is located at Losner Park in historic downtown Homestead at 104 N. Krome Avenue. Free parking is available at the trolley stop which connects to Miami-Dade bus routes. Trolley seating may be limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program recently won Savvy Awards in community visioning, innovative programming, graphic design art and excellence in marketing tools. The program is the result of efforts of the National Parks Conservation Association in collaboration with the National Park Service and the City of Homestead. The National Parks Conservation Association works to protect and enhance America's national park system for current and future generations and is America's voice for national parks.

WHAT: The Park's Gateway City of Homestead's award-winning National Parks Trolley begins its second season, providing free
entrance into Everglades National Park to visit the Anhinga Trail. The trolley also provides free transportation from historic Downtown Homestead to
Biscayne National Park, and Miami-Dade County's Homestead Bayfront Park. 

WHEN: Weekends, November 22, 2014 through April 26, 2015.

WHERE: The trolley stop is located at Losner Park in historic downtown Homestead at 104 N. Krome Avenue.

For more information on the Homestead National Parks Trolley, including schedules, routes and ranger
programs, please visit www.cityofhomestead.com/gateway.