MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WITH NEWS AND UPDATES OF HVKBP
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.
Executive Director's Corner: A New Year of Service, Progress, and Community
At Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s 80th birthday party on Aug. 1, seniors who went to the beach as children celebrated alongside kids visiting for the first time.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we welcome the New Year, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a healthy, joyful, and prosperous year ahead to our entire Historic Virginia Key Beach Park community. The holiday season—and the start of this new year—reminds us of the power of togetherness, reflection, and service, values that are deeply rooted in the legacy of this historic place.
This year, we began the year with purpose. As a result of the recent City of Miami Commission meeting, we are steps closer to realizing M. Athalie Range’s vision. We are proud to also share the success of our recent Industry Day for the Design-Build of the New Museum at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
The event drew an unprecedented level of participation and has been recognized as the largest and best-attended Industry Day the City has seen, reflecting strong interest and enthusiasm for this transformative project. This milestone marks an exciting step forward as we work toward creating a museum that will further preserve and elevate the park’s rich cultural legacy.
A huge Thank you to our supporters, partners, volunteers, and friends from the University of Miami, Indiana University and Miami Dade College. We hosted an MLK Day Cleanup on January 19, a day of service inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring call to action and commitment to community stewardship. This was an opportunity for both locals and visitors in town for the game to give back to the park while honoring a legacy of leadership, unity, and civic responsibility.
As we move into Black History Month, we proudly reflect on the cultural and historical significance of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park as a landmark of resilience, community, and African American heritage. Throughout the month, we encourage visitors to engage with the park’s history while participating in programs and experiences that celebrate the stories and contributions that continue to shape our community.
We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming events and working together for another year of growth, stewardship, and community impact at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
With gratitude and hope,
AThalie
Ms. Athalie Edwards, MPA
Executive Director / CEO
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust
Miami pledge fuels Black History Museum on Virginia Key
A decades-delayed museum dedicated to Black history and Miami’s civil rights movement at Virginia Key Beach is moving forward, with the City of Miami pledging up to $17 million to fund operations during the first 10 years after construction.
At their Jan. 8 meeting, city commissioners authorized the city manager to negotiate an agreement with the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust to advance the Black history museum, first approved and funded more than 20 years ago
Industry Day for the New Museum at Historic Virginia
Key Beach Park
We were proud to host the Industry Day for the Design-Build of a New Museum at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, an informational session that brought together industry professionals to learn about the scope, qualifications, and evaluation process for this transformative project.
The event highlighted the vision for a future museum that will honor the park’s rich cultural legacy while expanding opportunities for education and community engagement.
We are excited to share that this Industry Day achieved some of the highest turnout of any industry day
the City has seen, reflecting extraordinary interest and enthusiasm from the design and construction community.
This strong participation underscores the significance of the project and the collective commitment to preserving and elevating Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
For any questions regarding this
Industry Day, please contact Luis
Caseres at (305) 416-1923.
Additional Contact Information:
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Main: 305-960-4600
Fax: 305-960-4620
Email: info@virginiakeybeachpark.net
Add Historic Virginia Key Beach Park to Your Fitness Goals
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Loop | Miami-Dade County | Florida
Start your New Year strong and inspired at one of Miami’s most scenic outdoor gems!
The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Loop offers an easy, 4.1 km (about 2.5
mi) coastal walking and running trail with panoramic views of the Atlantic and Biscayne
Bay — perfect for kick-starting your 2026 fitness goals. Whether you’re walking,
jogging, or trail-running, this family-friendly route blends nature, history, and fresh
ocean air just minutes from downtown Miami. Make it your first outdoor workout of the
year and embrace health, sunshine, and adventure right in your own backyard!
Sunset Salute: Roy Hardemon
Roy Hardemon, former state lawmaker and Liberty City advocate
Former Rep. Roy Hardemon, a passionate Miami lawmaker and lifelong advocate for Liberty City and its neighboring community, has died. Hardemon 63, who served one term in the Florida House representing District 108 from 2016 to 2018, was known as a blunt, neighborhood-first politician whose priorities rarely strayed far from the blocks where he was raised.
Born in Miami on Aug. 12, 1962, Hardemon rose from the city’s rough political scene to become one of its most outspoken voices in Tallahassee.
Sunset Salute: Betty Reid Soskin
Betty Reid Soskin - A Voice for the Ages
Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest park ranger when she retired in 2022 at age 100, and a trailblazer in preserving the history of Black Americans and women, died Dec. 21 at age 104.
Soskin devoted her life to telling stories that might otherwise have gone untold, highlighting the contributions of marginalized communities and ensuring that forgotten voices were brought to the forefront of American history.
From Decline to Hope: The Journey of the Green Sea Turtle
Hope for the Oceans: Green Sea Turtle No Longer Endangered - MarAlliance.org
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially reclassified the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Endangered to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, announced at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This is a landmark moment in marine conservation and a powerful reminder of what […]
Super Nova NYE 2026 Lit Up Historic Virginia Key Beach Park!
On New Year’s Eve 2025, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was the site of an unforgettable celebration as SuperNova NYE 2026 transformed our beloved waterfront into a vibrant, high-energy New Year’s Eve destination.
Set against the stunning Miami skyline and ocean backdrop, the event brought together world-class music, immersive lighting and laser shows, and a spectacular midnight fireworks display to ring in 2026.
With a curated DJ lineup and a shimmering dress code of white, silver, and gold, the night was a dazzling fusion of music, lights, and celebration right here at our historic park.
Thank you to everyone who joined the festivities and helped make this New Year’s Eve a memorable moment in our community’s ongoing story!
Notice: Park Closure January 26th - February 12th
2026
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park will be closed to the public from Monday,
January 26th to Thursday, February 12th, 2026, and will reopen the following day.
We thank you for your continuous support and understanding.
For more information, please contact
us at (305) 960-4600 or email
info@virginiakeybeachpark.net.
Upcoming Event: Love Burn
Event Details: Love Burn returns to Virginia Key Beaches, February 5–8, 2026, bringing an immersive, community driven art experience to Miami’s shoreline. Centered on participation, creativity, and radical self-expression, this year’s theme — Island of Broken Toys — invites attendees to embrace imagination, connection, and collaborative art in a truly unique beachfront setting.
When: February 5–8, 2026
Where:
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Upcoming Event: HVKBP & Florida Humanities Historic Lunch & Learn
Learn about the Southern Road to Freedom, the nation’s first Salt Water Underground Railroad established in Fl in the late 17th century.
Come learn about the Southern Road to Freedom, the nation’s first Underground Railroad established in Florida in the late 17th century.
We invite you to: Learn the unique story of enslaved Americans’ road to freedom via Florida’s Underground Railroad Enjoy a lunch provided by the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Enter in a park raffle for a FREE pavilion rental
For more Information:
Call: 305-960-4600
Email: info@virginiakeybeachpark.net
Upcoming Event: We Belong Here Miami
Event Details: This February, We Belong Here returns to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park for its 5-year anniversary — now expanded to a full three-day festival from February 27 to March 1, 2026. Expect upgraded immersive stages, enhanced production, and a re imagined layout at all three festival venues (the 360 Stage, Beach Stage, and Lost Village) with new lighting, art installations, beachfront lounges, and interactive touches.
True to its roots, the festival’s vibe remains community-centered, with a lineup blending fan favorites and local talent — delivered in that same intimate, welcoming beach-club atmosphere that
fans love.
When:
Friday February 27 to Sunday March 1,
2026
Where:
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Be Cool with a fan from Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
Calling all local organizations and faith based communities, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is excited to support our local communities by offering complimentary hand fans for your congregations. These fans are a meaningful and practical way to stay cool during services while connecting with our shared history and communityspirit.
If your organization is interested in receiving a supply of fans, please sign up today! Simply click the link below or contact us directly to reserve yours.
Supplies are limited, so don’t wait! Let’s work together to keep our congregations comfortable and connected.
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 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!
Take a virtual field trip 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!!
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park 360 Virtual Tour
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park – A Threshold 360 Virtual Tour brought to you by Greater Miami CVB.
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.
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.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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