Manatee Bend Park is a unique one among Miami Parks, with a location right along the bend of Little River. The park itself is completely open, with green space and fields right on the river, and tall trees that cover more than half the area in shade. There is even a small looping concrete trail in the park that is partly shaded, and a perimeter sidewalk and a concrete trail that follows along the river's edge. The trail offers benches along the edge of the grass, and a rocky shore that descends into the water.
One of the best features of this park is the fact that you can view manatees at this park. With picnic tables and benches available, there is plenty of room to sit and relax on the shore where you can view hordes of sea cows relaxing in the water. Dogs must remain on a leash due to this fact, but if you're not worried about them getting close to the water, you'll be able to still have lots of room to play and run with them in the park before sitting down to watch the sea creatures. Besides benches and picnic tables, there are only trash bins available, and you will need to bring your own water and clean-up bags.
Once you're done viewing the natural wildlife of the park or enjoying the outside breeze of the river, you and Fido will be sure to make plans to head back for a lazy afternoon outside again.