MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WITH NEWS AND UPDATES OF HVKBP

Newsletter: November 2024

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.

November is Men's Health Awareness Month

Executive Director's Corner: Leading With Thanks

As this season of gratitude begins, we recognize Men’s Health Awareness Month, also known as “Movember,” a critical reminder to prioritize wellness for ourselves and those around us, especially the men in our lives. I encourage our community to learn more about health initiatives, find support networks, and take steps toward active, healthy lifestyles.

In the spirit of giving, Give Miami Day on November 21st provides us with an opportunity to rally together in support of organizations making a difference right here in our city. Contributions on this special day allow us to continue preserving and enhancing our historic park, creating a space that celebrates our city’s heritage.

Every gift, large or small, strengthens our mission and brings our vision for the Virginia Key Beach Museum closer to reality. Lastly, as Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reminded of how grateful I am for this community. Your passion, generosity, and commitment drive everything we do, and I am thankful for each of you.

Together, let’s embrace this season of giving and gratitude, making our park and community stronger than ever. Cheers to a November rich in connection, gratitude and lasting impact!

Ms. Athalie Edwards, MPA FEMA-APS
Executive Director / CEO
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust

Support Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on Give Miami Day: Thursday, November 21st

Give Miami Day 2024 is happening on Thursday, November 21st! This is your chance to make a meaningful impact by supporting the long-awaited Black History Museum on Virginia Key Beach, a pivotal project preserving the rich cultural heritage of Miami’s African American community.

Your contributions will also help sustain the vital programming and educational resources offered by the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, ensuring future generations can learn and engage with this important piece of history.

Every donation counts, and with your support, we can bring these initiatives to life and continue our mission of preserving this treasured landmark.

A Successful "Spooky Clean Up" with Miami Waterkeeper, FRUGA and the International SeaKeepers Society

On Saturday, October 26th, the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park along with our friends at Miami Waterkeepr, FRUGA and the International SeaKeeprs Society hosted a Spooky Clean Up, which included pumpkin carving, a costume contest, food & drinks; but most of all fun.

“Our community showed up with the best attitude, ready to keep Miami’s beaches looking boo-tiful!”

We’re already looking forward to next year and to many more successful events and clean ups to come.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Hosts 2025 Pirelli Calendar photoshoot featuring Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, and Simone Ashley

British actors John Boyega, Jodie Turner-Smith and Simone Ashley are among the stars of the 2025 Pirelli Calendar, which is set to be unveiled at the Natural History Museum in London on Tuesday night.

The project, shot by acclaimed American fashion photographer Ethan James Green at the Parque histórico de Virginia Key Beach in Miami, FL , is a modern tribute to the iconic Pirelli Calendar’s roots, celebrating beauty in a sensual and deeply artistic style.

Titled “Refresh and Reveal”, the calendar features an impressive lineup of actors, artists, singers, and models from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have worked with Green before.

Alongside Boyega, the calendar also stars Hunter Schafer, Vincent Cassel, Padma Lakshmi, and artist Martine Gutierrez. These images capture an inclusive, contemporary vision of beauty that both honors tradition and reflects today’s evolving standards.

Green, a Michigan native now based in New York, joins an exclusive list of 43 legendary photographers who have created for Pirelli since its first calendar in 1964.

Known for his fashion photography and evocative portraits, Green marked this milestone project with a talented creative team, including Tonne Goodman, former Vogue fashion editor, who served as the project’s fashion director and creative consultant. 

Residents to get a look at plans for Rickenbacker Causeway

The meeting for Key Biscayne residents to get a first-hand look to analyze the Rickenbacker Master Plan, presented by the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, has been rescheduled.

The Rickenbacker Causeway Master Plan Community Meeting, originally scheduled for this Tuesday, has been postponed by Miami-Dade County until Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Key Biscayne Community Center’s Lighthouse Room.

The plan is to improve traffic safety and f low along the iconic Rickenbacker Causeway. Following the approximate 40-minute presentation will be a question-and-answer session with the public.

Sunset Salute: South Florida Radio Personality JillTracey

Jill Tracey, the beloved media personality known most recently from her work with HOT 105 FM Miami, died on Friday at the age of 60. Tracey, a popular voice in South Florida radio for more than three decades, was also running for the District 2 seat on the Hollywood city commission at the time of her death. She formerly served as the president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) South Florida chapter, where she advocated for diversity in journalism.

Most recently, Tracey had spent more than a decade with HOT105, where she took on various roles. She served as news director and co-hosted the Rickey Smiley Morning Show on weekdays, in addition to leading her own program, “Hot Talk with Jill Tracey,” on Sunday nights at 11 p.m.

Though born in Detroit, Tracey’s career took off in South Beach as a gossip columnist. The various jobs that followed would take her across the country, but she would eventually land.

Your contributions will also help sustain the vital programming and educational resources offered by the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, ensuring future generations can learn and engage with this important piece of history.

Every donation counts, and with your support, we can bring these initiatives to life and continue our mission of preserving this treasured landmark.

Upcoming Event: Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney Street Naming Ceremony

Event Details:

Join Profiles in Black Miami, in partnership with Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, in honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Enid C. Pinkney with a commemorative street co designation ceremony.

Dr. Pinkney was the Founding President and CEO of The Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc., where she played a pivotal role in restoring this iconic landmark, celebrated for its place in civil rights history. Her dedication extended to numerous other organizations, including her service on the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, exemplifying a lifetime of commitment to preserving Miami’s rich Black heritage. This event is a tribute to her invaluable contributions and tireless advocacy for cultural preservation.

When: Friday, November 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Where: Historic Historic Hampton House, 4240 NW 27th Avenue Miami, FL 33142

Upcoming Event: MORAES Eco Walk and Beach Cleanup

Join us for a fun Eco Walk and Beach Cleanup with MORAES at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on December 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM! The day promises to be a day of fun and environmental stewardship at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park!

Our eco walk will take you through the beautiful surroundings while learning about the importance of preserving our natural habitats. You will learn about plant and animal species in the park and how to identify them, as well as the history behind Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

During the walk, attendees will also take part in a casual beach cleanup to help keep our shores clean and safe for wildlife. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference and enjoy a day outdoors. See you there!

What to Bring:

  • Volunteers should have closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothes that would allow them to safely participate in a beach cleanup and walk around the park.
  • Volunteers should also bring a reusable water bottle and any needed protections to be outdoors (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.)
  • MORAES will provide gloves, buckets, and trash bags for the beach cleanup.

When: December 7, 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Where: Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149

Upcoming Event: The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Presents COOKIES & Cocoa

Event Details:

Join us for another year of cookies, cocoa and community at our annual COOKIES & Cocoa event! This year, we’re thrilled to welcome you to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and to bring you an even more exciting and festive experience.

Event Highlights:

  • Free Games
  • Amusement Rides
  • Kid-friendly Activities + MORE
  • Santa Photo Experience 4 pm – 6 PM

When: December 14, 2024 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Where: Historic Virginia Key Beach Park – Concession Stand 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149

Upcoming Event: Kiko Franco - New Year Deseo Weekend Miami

Event Details:

Ready for the best New Year’s Eve experience in the USA? Deseo Weekend is synonymous with joy, sharing moments, and living the best experiences with the ones we love the most.

Join us at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami, one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. This year, we are  preparing an even more incredible celebration to welcome 2025 with the best vibes!

Event for All Ages. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

When: December 31, 2024 9:00 PM – 3:00 AM

Where: Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149

We're Hiring... Join Our Team!

The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is looking for a Facilities Maintenance Manager to join our team.

If you or someone in your network is interested visit the link below to find out more information, email info@virginiakeybeachpark.net or call

305-960-4600 !

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 Staff Shirts, give us a shout if you need Staff Shirts, give us a shout if you need assistance!

For more information on park rentals, click link below.

 

Strike, Pose, Share!

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.

Show The World How Much You Love HVKBP!

Check out some of our iconic merchandise to present as a great gift.

For more details on how you can purchase the iconic Historic Lifeguard t-shirt and other great items,
call 305-960-4600 or click
HERE

Take A Virtual Fieldtrip to #HVKBP

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.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (HVKBP) has an a multi-media interactive Virtual App., VK VIRTUAL that keeps you connected.

Log on to the FREE Virtual App today!!

Parque histórico de Virginia Key Beach

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park – A Threshold 360 Virtual Tour brought to you by Greater Miami CVB.

Visit The Park

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.

View Our Events

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.

Parque histórico de Virginia Key Beach
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Teléfono principal: 305-960-4600

Barra de accesibilidad