During a recent vacation excursion in Miami, Florida we experienced a unique opportunity to visit Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Despite years and visits to Miami as well as visits to many of the city’s numerous well-known beaches, we were not familiar with Virginia Key Beach Park and its rich history.
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was dedicated on August 1, 1945. It was known as the colored only beach during the era of racial segregation and was the only recreational facility legally open to the African-American community.
Closed for over 26 years, Historic Virginia Key Beach underwent a multi-million dollar renovation of its shoreline, wetlands, historical buildings and the planning stages for a future museum/cultural center before the property was officially re-dedicated for public use on February 22, 2008.
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is owned by the City of Miami and is managed by the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, whose missionis to restore and preserve this urban jewel for all people. The 82.5 acre beach park is designated a State of Florida Heritage Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.