Miami’s Once “Colored Only Beach”. |
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Learn the Story That Began in 1945 |
Welcome to Paradise Renewed!!
Established on August 1, 1945 as Miami’s ‘Colored Only Beach’ immediately became a spot for social gatherings to tourists and residents who made trips to enjoy amenities such as the carousel, the dancing pavilion or the mini-train that would run through the enormous park.
Now, characterized by a unique and precious natural environment, the City of Miami’s largest recreational jewel serves as the ultimate recreational location for those who want to bask in the splendor of the sun and ocean.
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Happy Natl. Family Month! |
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Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Pays Tribute to Miami's 125th Anniversary |
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(L-R): VKBPT Chair, Patrick Range II, Commissioner Jeffrey Watson, Former U.S Representative Kendrick Meek |
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The City of Miami recently toasted to the city’s 125th anniversary with Miami 125; a weeklong of events that included food, fun, culture, and innovation.
The Virginia Key Beach Park Trustees were out and about paying tribute to community leaders and the legacy of Miami.
According to Miami’s mayor Francis Suarez, the city’s 125th anniversary provides a tremendous opportunity to honor the city's historic trailblazers while embracing today's social and entrepreneurial innovators who are positioning Miami as a world-class city now and in the future.
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(L-R): Honorees Arva Moore Parks Moore McCabe Representatives, Dr. Enid Pinkney, Dr. Marvin Dunn, Dr. Paul S. George, Dr. Dorothy Fields, Mayor Francis Suarez |
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(L-R): Trustee Rev. Dr. Gaston Smith and Mayor Francis Suarez |
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(L-R): Trustee James Jackson & Guest
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Sunset Salute to Robert P. Moses |
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This month the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust salutes Miami's Robert P. Moses.
Robert P. Moses was a civil rights great, anti-war activist and radical math educator who was a professor/eminent scholar at Florida International University.
In 2006 he brought his grassroots math learning model, The Algebra Project, to Miami. He partnered with the FIU Center for Urban Education and Innovation to bring his accessible math program to Miami-Dade County Public School students in schools like Miami Edison High in Little Haiti.
He argued that America's public school system was designed with low expectations and that full citizenship requires math and science literacy and that access to a quality education is a civil right.
He was also key to starting the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and launching its voter registration campaign in Mississippi. That work in turn led to Freedom Schools, the 1964 Freedom Summer Project, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, the Poor Peoples Campaign, and the Mississippi Freedom Labor Union. And these not only began to alter the face of Mississippi, but also challenged the country to be true to the best in itself.
At the heart of these efforts was SNCC’s idea that people—ordinary people long denied this power—could take control of their lives. These were the people that Bob brought to the table to fight for a seat at it: maids, sharecroppers, day workers, barbers, beauticians, teachers, preachers and many others from all walks of life.
The Algebra Project he founded in 1982 is a direct outgrowth of this early work in Mississippi.
Source: Black Miami Dade
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When Luxury was a Luxury...The Rise & Fall of North Carolina's First All Black Beach Resort |
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When Luxury Was a Luxury: The Rise and Fall of North...
The Black Resorts of North Carolina A family at the Seabreeze resort near Wilmington. North Carolina's coast offered a few resort destinations for Black families in the era of segregation. (Fair use image) Shell Island. The Wilmington-area isle...
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cardinalpine.com
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Historic Virginia Key Beach Park turns 76 |
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It was all smiles on August 1st, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day.
Although Virginia Key Beach Park was not a part of the official incorporation celebrations set up by the city, the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust also commemorated the beach’s 76th anniversary Sunday afternoon at the dance pavilion.
Opened in 1945 as a local “colored only” leisure destination following a protest against the county’s whites-only beaches led by attorney Lawson E. Thomas, Virginia Key Beach Park became the only Miami beach at the time that permitted people of color. Read more HERE
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International Coastal Cleanup is Back! |
International Coastal Cleanup ( ICC) is the world’s largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment and raise awareness for this issue. Spearheaded by the Ocean Conservancy, the annual effort, now in its 38th year, takes place on the 3rd Saturday each September.
WHEN: Saturday, September 18, 2021
8:00-4:00PM; RSVP Required
Visit https://www.volunteercleanup.org/miami_coastal_cleanup_day to register.
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VEGAN BLOCK PARTY is the ultimate vegan food, drink, and lifestyle festival.
Coined as the “Plant-Based Party of the Year”, thousands of attendees join us annually to eat, sip, and celebrate all things vegan.
WHEN: Saturday, October 16th, 2021
12:00pm-8pm
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Walmart Cleans Historic Virginia Key Beach Park |
The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust hosted Walmart and Debris Free Oceans in a beach cleanup.
As their corporate social responsibility, their team came together to pick up trash and debris at the facility.
They picked over 70lbs of trash. We thank them for their efforts.
To schedule a group beach clean up call 305-960-4600 or email info@virginiakeybeachpark.net.
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We are Always Here to Help... |
Teamwork makes the dream work at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park!
Every day the staff works hard to keep the beach maintained and to keep you safe while having fun!
Anytime you see us out and about in our Mean, Green Staff Shirts, give us a shout if you need assistance!
For more information on park rentals, click link below.
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Hurry up before summer is over!
Tag us in your favorite photos outdoors. See past pics of photo ops we have been tagged in. Keep them coming in! You never know what might end up in the next newsletter.
Have a unique memory or iconic moment captured at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park? Tag Us for a feature in the monthly newsletter.
Whether it's a photoshoot, proposal or just a beautiful day at the beach, we would love to share your view of paradise renewed.
Be sure to tag us @VirginiaKeyBeachPark on Instagram or use #HistoricVirginiaKeyBeachPark #VirginiaKeyBeachPark #HVKBP #ISupportViginiaKeyBeachPark to Share.
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Book a FREE Eco-History Tour
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Let's Play Safe...Have Fun Virtually |
Log on to the FREE Virtual App today!!
Due to COVID-19 and the return of the “new normal” activities, we are reminded of the impact it has caused us on the daily. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (HVKBP) launches an all new multi-media interactive Virtual App., VK VIRTUAL.
As you stroll through the sands of the beach or from the comfort of your home, you can listen to the lively and colorful stories of this unique Once “Colored Only” Beach.
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Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is located on a barrier island minutes from Downtown Miami, just north of Key Biscayne. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to Sunset (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Picnic Pavilions, Cabanas and Barbeque grills are available throughout the park for picnics, birthdays, weddings, photoshoots and so much more.
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Have an event you would like to host at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park? Volunteer or participate in the many programs and activities the park has to offer.
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4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Main: 305-960-4600
Fax: 305-960-4620
info@virginiakeybeachpark.net
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