Of the many rich and varied forms of the written word, the poem, with its ability to take many shapes and to plumb the depths of human emotion, remains one of the most powerful. The month of April has been designated National Poetry Month, and the City of Homestead, alongside its new gateway partner, Everglades National Park, are joining forces to celebrate this art form with an exhibit of poems inspired by our river of grass that can be seen in Homestead’s Losner park from January through March and in Everglades National Park in April.
Colorful banners bearing the words of some of the nation's most accomplished wordsmiths, all inspired by the wild beauty of the Everglades, can be enjoyed at Losner Park, 104 N. Krome Avenue, in Historic Downtown Homestead. The free exhibit takes place between January and March, each month displaying a different set of the 41 poems springing from the minds of AIRIE poets. AIRIE or Artist-In-Residence-In-Everglades, brings artists, writers, composers and choreographers to Everglades National Park for month-long residencies in the subtoropical wilderness.
Visitors can enjoy the poetry while they wait to board the Homestead National Parks Trolley and then see for themselves the natural beauty that served as inspiration. Trolleys to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks depart from Losner Park every weekend through April, and are accompanied by expert narration from a park ranger. The guided trolley ride is free and includes waived admission to the parks. Never before have the natural treasures of the Everglades been more within reach!
“This is yet another wonderful program that strengthens the partnership between Homestead and one of its neighboring National Parks,” said Vice-Mayor Stephen R. Shelley, who coordinated bringing the poetry exhibit to Losner Park and also led the efforts to create the Homestead National Parks Trolley. “We want to inspire our residents to visit the Everglades as well as offer visitors who are at the park to catch the Homestead National Parks Trolley a glimpse of what they are going to see.”
During the month of April, the entire set of poetry banners will then adorn some of the trails at Everglades National Park. For more information about Everglades National Park, including ranger-led activities, please visit www.nps.gov/ever or visit www.cityofhomestead.com/gateway for information on the Homestead National Parks Trolley. For more about the Artist-In-Residence-In-Everglades program, visit www.airie.org.