Glenvar Heights: Parks, Trails and Horse Shows

The Ludlam Trail is also a possible consideration when planning your trip, but it is still in development. For your choices, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between existing park amenities, events held on specific dates, and a planned trail project. This lets you consider which of these priorities suit your stay before booking.

The Ludlam Trail: a trail project in the area

The Ludlam Trail is planned as a 5.6-mile shared-use trail for cycling, walking, and running. Miami-Dade County is developing it in the Glenvar Heights area. The project is in the design phase; a County announcement dated July 22, 2026, announced the planning contract and stated that construction is still forthcoming. It is expected to proceed in several phases, depending on funding. Accordingly, you should currently consider the Ludlam Trail a planned route, not a completed public trail. If cycling, walking, or running is important to your trip, check the project’s status before making specific plans.

Parks with different features

A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park covers 65 acres and opened in 1977. Its features include a swimming pool that is open year-round. Pool hours and fees may change, so check the current information if a visit is important to your trip. Brewer Park is a small waterfront park. Its observation platform overlooks a small lake. The two parks offer different experiences: A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park centers on its swimming pool, while Brewer Park combines a waterfront setting with a scenic overlook.

Horse shows and park history

Tropical Park was established in 1979 on the site of a former horse-racing track. The Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center at Tropical Park hosts a range of shows featuring registered Arabian horses, hunter/jumper horses, Western horses, and Paso Finos. The former racetrack and today’s shows represent two distinct chapters in the park’s history. If you plan to visit the park for a show, plan around a specific event date and check the dates in advance.

Landscape and geographic orientation

One landscape feature of Glenvar Heights is its dense canopy of mature oak and banyan trees. The Palmetto Expressway (SR-826) runs through the center of the Glenvar Heights CDP. Bird Road (SW 40th Street) forms the northern boundary of the CDP and is a major thoroughfare. The two roads therefore provide different points of reference: one runs through the center, while the other marks the northern edge. When comparing hotels, use this information for map orientation and check each property’s specific location against the destinations that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Miami, Virginia Gardens, Bal Harbour, South Miami Heights, Pinecrest, Florida City, Miami Beach, Hialeah

For the broader travel overview: Miami-Dade.