Florida Senate - 2020 (NP) SR By Senator Braynon 35-02609-20 20201932__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution to recognize August 1, 2020, and each August thereafter, as “Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day” in Florida. 4

WHEREAS, on August 1, 1945, Virginia Beach, as it was then known, was designated “a Dade County Park for the exclusive use of Negroes,” becoming a cherished getaway and a social gathering place for African Americans, with its shaded picnic areas with barbecue pits and its cottages and amusement rides, and

WHEREAS, even after the park was closed by the City of Miami in due to the high cost of maintenance and operations, the civic, social, and environmental characteristics of the park continued to hold national, state, regional, and local significance in the history of civil rights and to highlight the achievements of local African-American communities, and

WHEREAS, in August 2002, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places; in 2006, it was added to the State of Florida Heritage Trail; and in February 2008, it reopened to the public as the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, and

WHEREAS, in 2010, the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was included as a major stakeholder in the Virginia Key Master Plan, 23 which had been approved by the City of Miami City Commission in 24 2006, a turning point in the life of the park, and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Key Master Plan envisioned the restoration of the park and the creation of a museum that will present the history and contributions of those who, in the 28 1940s, pressed for designation of the park; who sought to Florida Senate - 2020 (NP) SR 1932 35-02609-20 20201932__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. restore the natural environment of the park; and support for creation of a Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, 31 and

WHEREAS, this project will enhance the cultural offerings of the City of Miami; bring international attention to this state and to the park’s noteworthy civil rights history; serve as a positive example of civic engagement, as represented by the history of the park’s origin and the advocacy of a citizen-based Board of Trustees; and create social engagement opportunities through the incorporation of the public shoreline, a greenspace, 39 and various amenities, and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was added to the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation List, and

WHEREAS, August 1, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, NOW, 45 THEREFORE, 46

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 48 That August 1, 2020, and each August thereafter, is recognized as “Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day” in Florida. 51