Top of the World
Located in beautiful Biscayne Bay, less than a mile from the shores of Downtown Miami, it’s easily one of the area’s most scenic beaches – a hidden retreat full of nature and sweeping views of the bay and the Atlantic. It’s also an ideal location for those who enjoy swimming, relaxing in the sun and rich cultural history.
Visitors to this hideaway can stroll a mile-long shoreline, ride an antique carousel with views of the ocean, be transported around the area by a miniature train and explore coastal hammock trails on a nature boardwalk.
The Story Begins in 1896 Miami was founded in 1896, at a time where segregation was a reality throughout the South. The black community had played a predominant role in the early building and development of the city, which resulted in one-third of the signatures on the city charter being black men. Nevertheless, the reality of segregation at that time systematically excluded all people of color from Miami’s most famous attraction – its miles of beaches.
Some beach areas were “unofficial exceptions,” which by mutual understanding were exclusive to the African American community. Virginia Key – at the time only accessible by boat from Miami – was one of these areas. But it wasn’t until 1945 that Virginia Key became an “official colored only” site as a result of a protest led by the late Judge Thomas.
A Protest Brings Action With the intention of being arrested to bring attention to their cause, Thomas and a group of black men daringly entered the water at exclusively white Haulover Beach. Rather than facing embarrassment, county officials did not take legal action but instead agreed to the protesters’ demands and opened an official swimming area for African Americans at “Miami’s Colored Only Beach” at Virginia Key on Aug. 1, 1945.
From that point on, Virginia Key Beach quickly became a popular gathering place for Greater Miami’s African American community and was an often-used site for religious services. Although the beach remained segregated throughout the 1950s, that didn’t keep it from being the preferred go-to beach for many new immigrants coming from Cuba, the Caribbean and South America.
Due to high operation and maintenance costs, the City of Miami closed Virginia Key Beach Park to the public in 1982. In 1999, a group of citizens established the Virginia Key Beach Park Civil Rights Task Force after plans were announced for a private development to be built on the site. In response, the Miami City Commission established Virginia Key Beach Park Trust to oversee the development of the historic property, and in 2002 the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A New Beginning in 2008 Historic Virginia Key Beach Park reopened to the public on Feb. 8, 2008, featuring many of the amenities of its past. Still a beautiful stretch of sand and surf known for its natural landscape, swaying palms and mangroves, it became the only replenished, mile-long stretch of shoreline within the City of Miami at the time.
You can take a ride back through its history aboard the “Biscayne Virginia Rickenbacker Central,” a historic miniature train that transports you through a wetland excursion. And no matter your age, you’ll delight in riding the historic antique carousel by the sea. Other landmarks like the bathhouse and concession stand have also been renovated and are open to the public.
This stretch of paradise has picnic tables and shaded pavilions, but is also vast enough to offer secluded areas to beachgoers who enjoy privacy and sunshine. Among visitor favorites are six pastel-colored beachfront cabins that can be rented for the day. Each cabin includes Adirondack chairs, a grill and a picnic table to provide a perfect backdrop for that old-Miami beach experience.
