Obscure question for those who grew up near Douglas Park (Miami: elementary school, live)

[jcblanco22]

I realize this is more of a "trivia" type of question than anything else, but it's something I've been curious about for some time. When you stand facing Douglas Park on S.W. 37th Avenue, there is a facility beyond the tennis courts in the far Northeast corner of the park called the English Center if I'm not mistaken. I know the English Center itself has been around for many years and was previously in other locations back in the 70s, etc., before landing at this spot.

My question is, I swear I've heard that this building where it's now housed next to the park used to be a regular Dade County Public Schools elementary school. Out of nothing more than curiosity, I would like to know if anyone can confirm and provide more details, i.e. name of the school, the year it closed/converted, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer up any insight.

[jcblanco22]

Hope it's not a nuisance that I am temporarily bumping this thread to see if perhaps any newcomers may have insight into my still unanswered question!

[Desdemona25]

Originally Posted by jcblanco22

Hope it's not a nuisance that I am temporarily bumping this thread to see if perhaps any newcomers may have insight into my still unanswered question!

I wish I could answer it for you, but I can't. And those that I know who would have been able to are no longer with us.

Hope you find your answer!

[OldMiami]

It's your lucky day.
Yes, it was an elementary school called Dade Demonstration School.
I attended this school, third through sixth grades, during the later 1950s.
Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around this school and the great teachers we had back then. Oh, well.........

[jcblanco22]

Originally Posted by OldMiami

It's your lucky day.
Yes, it was an elementary school called Dade Demonstration School.
I attended this school, third through sixth grades, during the later 1950s.
Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around this school and the great teachers we had back then. Oh, well.........

OldMiami, thank you so much for your insight. I wonder however, I could've sworn it was called Douglas Park Elementary School at one point later on, perhaps the 60s/70s?

[ConeyIsBabe]

My kids went to school there in the mid-60s ......... Merrick Elementary School !

[tallrick]

I always thought that Merrick elementary was in coral Gables, next to the Coliseum?

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by tallrick

I always thought that Merrick elementary was in coral Gables, next to the Coliseum?

You are correct, tallrick !

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by tallrick

I always thought that Merrick elementary was in coral Gables, next to the Coliseum?

DW went there for kindergarten back in the early 70s. She doesn't remember why she switched schools, but she went to CG Elem for the first grade.

[mdwillis]

I lived northeast of the Coliseum (Ice Skating Rink) in 1952-53 and often walked by Douglas Demonstration school (seemed to be elementary school) on my way to Coral Gables Elementary. I could never figure out why I passed it by, or what they were demonstrating.