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15 Passenger Car Rentals | Virginia Key Beach
Known for its beautiful views and controversial history, the Virginia Key
Beach is a very narrow shoreline located on the southeastern side of the
Virginia Key. Comprised of about 77 acres, the Virginia Key Beach site is just
two miles east of downtown Miami and approximately one mile off the southwest
end of Miami Beach. Bordered by an environmentally diverse expanse of
vegetation, the Virginia Key Beach offers Miami Van Rental and 15 Passenger Car
Rental travelers a secluded place to kick back and relax after a stressful week
in the city. Accessible by the Rickenbacker Causeway toll road, the Island of
Virginia Key is a popular getaway for many local Miami residents and is the
current site of numerous research facilities, fisheries and restaurants.
Virginia Key Beach History
The Virginia Key Beach boasts a controversial history, figuring most
prominently in the segregation protests of the 1940’s. During the summer of
1945 a group of African-American men, led by prominent Judge Lawson E. Thomas,
staged a protest on the whites-only North Miami Beach contesting the law
prohibiting black persons the right to utilize the public beaches of Miami and
Dade County. County officials considered the protest and responded by
designating the Virginia Key shoreline as a blacks-only public beach on August
1st, 1945. Used as a Navy training site for African Americans during World War
II, the Virginia Key Beach was already a common retreat for members of the
colored community and remained segregated until the early 1950’s. Historically
significant and culturally vibrant, the 1945 Virginia Key Beach featured
bathhouses, a carousel, picnic areas and numerous concession stands. Virginia
Key Beach remained open to the public until 1982 when the area was transferred
from the county’s possession to the City of Miami. The beach was closed down
shortly after as the city cited high maintenance and operations costs.
Today’s Virginia Key Beach
The Virginia Key Beach and Park area sat in a state of decay for over 20
years as city officials discontinued the parks upkeep and avoided public outcry.
Finally, in 2004 a trust was formed in an effort to revitalize the park and
return it to the community. Although the project is far from completion, the
beach is once again open as contractors and city officials continue to beautify
this important part of city green space. Numerous children’s playgrounds,
walking trails, recreational facilities, concession stands and retail outlets
are planned for the Virginia Key Beach Park, so be sure to check out the
construction during your upcoming Miami Van Rental and 15 Passenger Car Rental
vacation. You can also monitor progress by visiting the Virginia Key Beach Park
Trust website at
www.wirginniakeybeachpark.net.
Other Features of the Virginia Key
The Virginia Key Island is home to much more than just the beach, so be sure
to stop and take a tour of the island during your upcoming Miami Van Rental and
15 Passenger Car Rental vacation. Popular attractions on Virginia Key include
the Miami Seaquarium, the Rosenstiel School of Marina and Atmospheric Science,
the Maritime and Science Technology Academy, Hobie Beach, and the Atlantic
Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Numerous restaurants can also be
found throughout the island including the ultra popular Jimbo’s bar and grill.
This quintessential Florida bar was once a popular hangout for bootleggers and
smugglers thanks to the seclusion and anonymity of its somewhat camouflaged
location. Miami Van Rental and 15 Passenger Car Rental fishermen can still
purchase live shrimp bait at the bar, so don’t forget to drop in before
heading out on your Virginia Key Beach adventure. Cold beer and smoked fish are
two of the restaurants specialties, along with friendly services and old-school
gossip. Affordable Florida Van Rentals in Miami Ft Laude WPB & Orlando Airports
Car Rentals also reminds you to keep and eye out for film crews; the Virginia
Key Beach area is now a popular location for both magazine photo shoots and big
screen movie scenes.
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