Chef Pedro Mederos, who runs Kojin 2.0 in Coral Gables with his wife, pastry chef Katherine Mederos, shared three outdoor-minded ways he resets outside the restaurant world: Hobie Island Beach Park, LEGACY in Coral Gables and Tropical Park.
His first stop is Hobie Island Beach Park along the Rickenbacker Causeway, also known locally as Windsurfer Beach. The beach is free to visit and has free parking, though drivers heading south on the causeway pay a toll. The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset, and its shallow water, windsurfing activity and view toward downtown Miami make it a popular spot for photographs. Visitors bringing dogs should follow posted leash rules.
For a more structured workout, Mederos recommends LEGACY at 22 Merrick Way in downtown Coral Gables. Its P.I.T., or Partner Interval Training, class rotates partners through 20 strength and high-intensity cardio stations during a coach-led, 60-minute session. Class schedules vary, and LEGACY lists a free first session for new visitors on its website.
His third pick is Tropical Park, at 7900 SW 40th St. in Miami. The Miami-Dade park has paved paths, four lakes for fishing and paddle boating, a fitness court, tennis and pickleball courts, batting cages, picnic shelters, a boxing center and the Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center. It also has a two-acre dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs.
On Saturdays, the Southwest Community Farmers' Market operates year-round near Tropical Park’s Bird Road entrance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Facility hours can differ within the park; the stadium, for example, opens at 6 a.m. and closes at sunset.
Mederos’ three stops span a workout in Coral Gables, a large park near Bird Road and an evening waterfront visit along the Rickenbacker Causeway, offering options for Miami residents looking for time outdoors without centering the day on a restaurant or bar.
