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Miami VAN Rentals and 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 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 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 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 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. Van Rental & 15 Passenger Van Rental Agency 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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our
competitors in Florida. Rent your 12-15 passenger van or luxuries
conversion van with flat screen TV/DVD and leather captain chairs
with seating up to 9. Enjoy the RIDE :)