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Miami Beach is cracking down on litterbugs this Memorial Day weekend by barring boaters from Flagler Monument Island. According to a city statement, the historic and typically boater-friendly spot will be off-limits starting 6 a.m. Friday, May 24, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, in a move to protect its natural beauty from irresponsible revelers.
In a statement obtained by Miami Beach's official website, Police Chief Wayne A. Jones said, "This is a case of boaters failing to behave responsibly around one of our natural treasures." The city plans to enforce the closure strictly with a police presence on the island throughout the holiday weekend to ensure that, boaters can't access the area.
The island features a 96-foot obelisk erected by Carl Fisher, one of Miami Beach's founding fathers, to honor Florida pioneer Henry M. Flagler. Flagler is recognized for his contributions to the state's development through the East Coast Florida Railway and his hotel empire. The monument and its surrounding island have stood as a fixture of local history and a symbol of the growth springing from Flagler's entrepreneurial spirit.
The trash issue has plagued the island, with boaters frequently leaving behind waste, including empty beer cans and bottles. The littering prompted the closure, signaling the city's refusal to let its historical site become a dumping ground. During the pandemic, the island saw a positive turn when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection documented the first nest of North American ospreys in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, hailing the island's ecological significance. Nonetheless, the constant trashing continues to threaten its preservation efforts.
