Plans to expand leisure attractions on land adjacent to Zoo Miami have been under discussion for decades. The zoo, constructed as part of the 1972 Decade of Progress Bond Program, was seen as a major enhancement to South Florida’s outdoor recreational offerings for the enjoyment of both residents and out-of-town visitors, but in need of ancillary attractions to reach its full potential as a true leisure destination.

Interest in developing county-owned land adjacent to Zoo Miami continued in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. South Dade, which suffered the brunt of the storm, needed to rebuild its severely damaged economy. A commitment was made by local leaders to expand the zoo’s recreational footprint in the community by developing nearby, unused land.

Decades later, with development plans on the table, economic development in South Dade still lags behind the rest of Miami Dade for jobs, transportation and other services. In 2006, the County took the issue to voters. A ballot item was approved by nearly 64% of voters in favor of developing the property to include a water park, a hotel and related retail concessions. Subsequently, Miami-Dade County, after public hearings, as well as the State of Florida approved and amended the Comprehensive Plan to allow the development of the entertainment project the voters approved in 2006 to proceed.