"Legacy on the Land"

Two generations have kept historic Virginia Key Beach Park in public hands.

Known to a past generation as the “Colored Beach,” the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, an 80-acre public park on the 1,000-acre island, was created in 1945, only after members of the black community staged a protest, a “wade-in” at Baker’s Haulover County Park.

“It was the only place in Miami where African Americans were allowed to use the public beach and recreational facilities and it came at a price,” recalls Audrey Peterman in a new book co-written with her husband Frank, Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care.

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It was close to a garbage treatment plant, and the currents were known to be very treacherous. But the black population of South Florida turned Virginia Key into a paradise. The small island, covered with greenery including sea grape and coconut trees, looked out over the glittering bay. It become the central meeting place for people from all over Miami and Broward County, with picnics and dances and Easter Morning Sunrise Services that continue today. There was a carousel and a bandstand and cabins were available for people to stay overnight. It become the entertainment and spiritual hub of South Florida’s black community.”

Among those with personal memories of this special place was her husband, Frank, who played there in his childhood.

But the prospect of sharing that special place with future generations was threatened in 1999 when - after keeping the park closed for more than a decade -- the City of Miami proposed to transform the once-segregated Virginia Key Beach into an upscale eco-resort.

Then a thing happened which hadn’t happened for many, many years. The people spoke up. The voices of those with personal memories and those who wished to honor the sacrifices of prior generations united.

And what had seemed like a done deal was undone. The resort never happened.

Today, Virginia Key Beach Park has been preserved as a living museum to tell the story of a unique part of American history, a “symbol of the ongoing struggle of African Americans for equal rights and social justice.”

The struggle continues. And only community involvement - vigilance, perseverance, organization - can protect all of Virginia Key - and keep it in public hands for future generations.

Resources:
Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Everyone American Should Care by Audrey Peterman and Frank Peterman, (Earthwise Productions, 2009) is the story of the Peterman’s eight week journey to America’s National Parks and it carries a powerful message: “All Americans have a role to play in the protection of our public lands, and that our environment can only be ‘saved’ when all of us are included and committed to the effort.” Audrey Peterman is a board member of the member of of the National Parks Conservation Association, (www.npca.org) and was recently appointed to the board of the Association of Partners for Public Lands (www.appl.org). Frank Peterman is Director of Public and Political Awareness for the Wilderness Society’s Southeast region, steering the “Keeping It Wild Program,” (www.keepingitwild.org).
http://www.earthwiseproductionsinc.com/legacyontheland
http://www.legacyontheland.com/

Virginia Key Beach Park: http://www.virginiakeybeachpark.net/

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