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ToggleVirginia Key Beach celebrates Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day on August 1st, not only for its natural beauty, but also for its cultural significance.
During the era of segregation in the South, the black community played a major role in building and developing Miami, but was systematically excluded from its beaches. In addition to being accessible only by boat, Virginia Key Beach has become one of the few unofficial "colored only" beaches. Until 1945, the Virginia Key Beach was not officially designated for African Americans due to a protest led by Judge Thomas.
As a result of segregation, Virginia Key Beach quickly became a favorite gathering place for the African American community and also attracted new immigrants from Cuba, the Caribbean, and South America. As a result of high operating and maintenance costs, the park closed in 1982, but thanks to the efforts of the Virginia Key Beach Park Civil Rights Task Force, it reopened in 2008.
Explore the renovated bathhouse and concession stand or ride the rickenbacker train on the "Biscayne Virginia Rickenbacker Central." Not only is this a beach, it is also a piece of history, where you can walk in the footsteps of those who fought for equality, and feel a sense of community at the same time.