History - Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

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Conózcanos: Explore la historia del Parque Histórico de Virginia Key Beach, nuestra misión y nuestras actividades. Compromiso con la conservación de la belleza natural, el patrimonio cultural y la participación de la comunidad en Miami.

La playa es muy bonita con un montón de palmeras para sombra o para colgar una hamaca de

Charee Brogden

Visitante del parque

I loved the place, lot of history

Aledelvale

Visitante del parque - Guía local

Me encantó Virginia Keys Beach, su historia es asombrosa y realmente importante.

Raju Ajiz

Visitante del parque

Interesting, passionate, fascinating landscape and history that it encompasses within. A place to spend time with family, friends, and children.

Teresita Veitia

Visitante del parque

BIENVENIDO AL PARQUE HISTÓRICO DE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH

Por qué debe visitarnos ¿Parque de la playa HVK?

BREATHTAKING NATURAL SCENERY

Immerse yourself in the park’s spectacular coastal views, pristine sandy beaches, and tranquil turquoise waters. It’s the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day under the sun or a picturesque sunset stroll.

RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

Experience a piece of Miami’s history through the park’s historic carousel and mini-train rides, which echo the joy and laughter of generations past.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES GALORE

Whether you’re into kayaking, paddleboarding, or mountain biking, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park offers a variety of activities to get your adrenaline pumping.

ECO-FRIENDLY EXPLORATION

Engage with nature through the park’s environmental initiatives, including mangrove restoration projects and educational programs.

Impresionantes paisajes naturales

Sumérjase en las espectaculares vistas costeras del parque, sus playas de arena inmaculada y sus tranquilas aguas turquesas. Es el telón de fondo perfecto para un relajante día bajo el sol o un pintoresco paseo al atardecer.

Rico patrimonio cultural

Experimente una parte de la historia de Miami a través del carrusel histórico del parque y las atracciones de mini-tren, que evocan la alegría y las risas de generaciones pasadas.

Aventuras al aire libre en abundancia

Tanto si lo suyo es el kayak, el paddleboard o la bicicleta de montaña, el Historic Virginia Key Beach Park ofrece una gran variedad de actividades para descargar adrenalina.

Exploración ecológica

Comprométase con la naturaleza a través de las iniciativas medioambientales del parque, que incluyen proyectos de restauración de manglares y programas educativos.

Nuestra historia

La historia comienza en 1896. Este fue el año en que se fundó la ciudad de Miami, con aproximadamente un tercio de las firmas de la carta de la ciudad siendo hombres negros. (lo que no es casualidad, si se tiene en cuenta el papel predominante que desempeñaron en la primera construcción de la ciudad).

La segregación se convirtió en una realidad cotidiana en todo el Sur. Fue esta realidad la que excluyó sistemáticamente a todas las personas de color de la atracción más famosa del condado de Dade, sus kilómetros de playas.

En 1920, a medida que la ciudad crecía, muchas de estas playas se convirtieron en parques e instalaciones públicas de baño exclusivas para la población blanca. D.A. Dorsey, un millonario afroamericano, compró lo que hoy se conoce como Fisher Island para que los negros pudieran tener una playa propia. Pero debido al aumento de los impuestos sobre la propiedad, el Sr. Dorsey se vio obligado a vender la propiedad. Como resultado, la comunidad negra se quedó sin una playa de la que disfrutar.

1945

Virginia Key Beach Park se inauguró como playa "sólo para gente de color" del condado de Miami-Dade.

1947

Rickenbacker Causeway is built, connecting mainland Miami with Virginia Key and Key Biscayne.

1999

Miami City Commission establishes the Virginia Key Park Civil Rights Task Force.

2008

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park re-opens to the public for the first time in 26 years.

Journey Through Time

HVKBP Historic Timeline

1945 - 2000

From its establishment in 1945 as a haven for African Americans during segregation to its restoration and preservation efforts today, this timeline highlights key milestones and events that have shaped the park’s legacy. Delve into the past to understand the significant cultural, social, and environmental contributions of this cherished Miami landmark.

Agosto de 1945

Puertas abiertas

Virginia Key Beach Park se inauguró como playa "sólo para gente de color" del condado de Miami-Dade.

1947

Causeway Connection Established

Se construye Rickenbacker Causeway, que conecta Miami continental con Virginia Key y Key Biscayne.

1979

El condado de Dade cede la propiedad del Historic Virginia Key Beach Park a la ciudad de Miami.

1982

Park Closure

La ciudad de Miami cierra el Historic Beach Park alegando altos costes de mantenimiento.

1987

Master Plan Developed

La ciudad de Miami elaboró un plan maestro para Virginia Key.

1998

La ciudad de Miami, enfrentada a una crisis fiscal, estudia la posibilidad de urbanizar el solar público para uso exclusivo de particulares.

Junio de 1999

La Comisión Municipal de Miami crea un grupo de trabajo oficial sobre derechos civiles en Virginia Key Park.

2000 - 2005

From its planning stages in 2000 to its grand re-opening in 2008 after extensive renovations, these key events reflect the park’s journey from historical significance to a revitalized community landmark. Discover how the park has evolved through major restoration projects, environmental efforts, and cultural enhancements.

January, 2000

Planning Charrette Begins

Virginia Key Beach Park Planning Charrette was conducted to determine future use of the historic property.

December, 2000

Trust Established

Miami City Commission established the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.

June, 2002

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

February, 2003

Park Closure

Virginia Key Beach Park Trust starts $30 million Master Plan process.

November, 2003

Groundbreaking for phase one of restoration & repair of historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

August, 2004

Shoreline re-nourishment project begins on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

November, 2004

County-wide bond program is passed by voters and the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust is awarded $15.5 million for construction.

January, 2005

Sanitary Sewer project begins on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

June, 2005

County-Wide General Obligation Bond program kick-off press conference is held on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

August, 2005

Sanitary Sewer project is complete and pump station is energized.

August, 2005

Capital Projects Begin

Capital construction projects start to prepare for the park’s reopening, with the Board of Trustees selecting Lord Cultural Resources and Management to design the museum and cultural center.

November, 2005

Army Corps of Engineers Section 111 Shoreline Stabilization Project is completed.

2005 - 2010

This timeline highlights the major efforts in planning, construction, ecological restoration, and community engagement that brought the park back to life.

February, 2006

Trust Office Completed

Completion of Trust administrative office; Trust staff moves to construction site on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

April, 2006

Phase two of restoration (Circulation Roads and Parking Lot Improvements) begins.

August, 2006

Mini Train Returns

Miniature Train Corporation (MTC) 16-Gauge Mini Train returns to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

September, 2006

BEA International is selected as the Design Team for Museum Building on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

February, 2007

Release of RFP for Exotic Vegetation Removal on Historic Beach Park.

July, 2007

Completion date for Circulation Road and Parking Lot Improvement.

August, 2007

First YMCA Junior Marine Biology Summer Camp is completed on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

November, 2007

Completion of first phase of Exotic Vegetation Removal on Historic Beach Park

February, 2008

Completion of the DERM Virginia Key Restoration Project – exotic vegetation removal, land clearing and native vegetation planting

February, 2008

Completion of the Kids Play Area (Boundless Playground)

February, 2008

Historic Mini Train repainting in Florida East Coast Railroad colors is completed and railroad track installation begins

February, 2008

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park re-opens to the public for first time in 26 years.

June, 2008

City of Miami passes buoy line ordinance to clear the way for safety buoys installed at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

July, 2008

Haley Sharpe is selected as the exhibit design team for the Museum on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

August, 2008

YMCA Marine biology Summer Camp is completed on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and wins “Best Summer Camp.”

August, 2008

Historic Mini Train and Railroad re-opens to the public for the first time in over 35 years.

November, 2008

Two historic picnic pavilions are upgraded with shade structures.

December, 2008

Bear’s Cut Current Study is completed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

January, 2009

More than 1,000 native plants and trees are planted by 1,000 volunteers on Historic beach park property adding to the native landscape restoration.

February, 2009

Carousel Reopens

Historic Carousel is fully operational and re-opens to the public for the first time in over 35 years.

October, 2009

Budget shortfalls at the City of Miami result in zero funding from the City to Virginia Key Beach Park Trust and major staff reductions.

2008

Reopening and Restoration

After years of restoration, volunteer support, and a campaign led by former city commissioner Athalie Range, the park reopened to the public. Athalie Range had raised awareness about the city’s plan to turn the park over to developers, leading to a successful effort to preserve and restore the park.

2010 - 2020

Between 2010 and 2017, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park saw significant restoration and enhancements. Major projects included installing a buoy line, creating interpretive exhibits, and completing an extensive ecosystem restoration.

January, 2010

A buoy line is installed off the shore of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Bear’s Cut designating the entire length of the beach a non-motorized watercraft zone.

March, 2010

The Trust completes negotiations with Haley Sharpe Design for the fabrication and installation of outdoor interpretive exhibits and signage for Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

May, 2011

the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) returns to study and survey area for the completion of the ecosystem restoration project on Virginia Key and Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

February, 2012

A new playground for children 5-12 is constructed on the Northern end of the Historic Beach Park property.

November, 2012

Ecosystem Project Begins

Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) ecosystem restoration project scheduled to begin on Virginia Key.

July, 2013

Ecosystem Project Completed

The completion of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) ecosystem restoration project.

February, 2014

3 wood cabins and a wood “Tea House” constructed on the Historic Beach Park by volunteers from the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival.

May, 2014

1,000 native plants and trees are planted by 150 volunteers from Tourism Cares in the 17 acre hardwood hammock adding to the native landscape restoration.

February, 2015

3 wood cabins are constructed on the Historic Beach Park by volunteers from the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival.

June, 2015

Tiki Village constructed featuring a large Tiki Hut picnic Pavilion and Tiki picnic tables

August, 2015

Group celebrating outdoors with masks and signs.

70th Anniversary Celebration

70th Anniversary of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park 1945-2015

October, 2015

Intricate sandcastle under a cloudy sky.

Tallest Sand Castle Record

Guinness World Records Tallest Sand Castle 45.85’ is constructed on the Historic Beach Park as part of a promotion by Turkish Airlines.

February, 2016

A replica of the Historic Life Guard & First Aid Office is constructed by volunteers from the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival

February, 2017

A replica of the Historic Mini Train Ticket Booth and Beach Shack are constructed by volunteers from the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival

Photos & Images That Will Last Forever

A 1956 photograph shows the merry-go-round in operation at Virginia Key Beach Park in Virginia Key, Fla. The park was the only recreation area available to Blacks in Miami during segregation.

The train that used to go around Virginia Key, often taking children on train rides.

M. Athalie Range, who fought to restore Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami as the founding chairwoman of the Virginia Key Beach Park Task Force. In 1967, she was the first African American elected to the Miami City Commission.

Attendees place offerings in remembrance of ancestors from Africa who perished while traveling through the Middle Passage during the slave trade in a 2019 commemoration event hosted by the NAACP at Historic Virginia Key Beach.

Beachgoers swim during the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s 75th Anniversary celebration in Miami-Dade on Aug. 8, 2020.

People participate in a meditation session near the water during Art With Me music and cultural festival at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

Members of the team that advocated for creation of a civil rights museum at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park pose for a picture with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, front center, in 2019. Trust board member Gene Tinnie holds aloft Suarez’s resolution pledging financial support.

A participant of the symbolic ‘wade-in’ holds an archival image of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

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Latest News & Updates

Sumérjase en el corazón del Historic Virginia Key Beach Park con nuestra sección de noticias y actualizaciones al minuto. Ya se trate de anuncios de nuevas atracciones, eventos especiales, esfuerzos de conservación o mejoras del parque, esta es su fuente de referencia para todo lo que está sucediendo.