.
CONSERVATION
ARCHIVE
Citizen
Group Prevails for the Preservation
of an Environmental and Historical
Landmark
By Gene Tinnie and Mark Walters
After a year and
a half of struggle, hard work and perseverance, a citizen group has
prevailed on the City of Miami to cement its commitment to the preservation
of Virginia Key Beach Park. On December 14, the commission
unanimously approved the establishment of a permanent community
land Trust that would oversee the reopening and the future development
of historic Virginia Key Beach. The 77-acre park located on Virginia
Key is the site of what was once the "Colored Only Beach" during
the segregation era when Black citizens were barred from area beaches.
The Trust would replace the temporary Virginia Key Task Force which
was established in June, 1999, by the City Commission in response
to widespread and vocal community protests against possible City plans
to allow the construction of a privately owned luxury campground resort
on the "Old County Park" site.
The Task Force, chaired by former City Commissioner Mrs. M. Athalie
Range, has regularly received unanimous support and praise for its
efforts from the Commissioners during its eighteen months of holding
public meetings, hosting special events at the Park, and conducting
a three-day Public Planning Charrette in January 1999. The charrette
allowed a broad and diverse spectrum of citizens and design
professionals to produce a comprehensive vision for the Park in the
future. The Task Force expires at the end of December, and the
new trust will continue its work. Most of that work will focus
on making the concepts that came out of the Charrette a reality.
These will include the restoration of historical structures, reestablishment
of a safe bathing beach and the re-nourishment of the beach-front;
all in concert with the natural environment of the island. There are
plans for commemorative structure(s) and nature trails that will allow
all residents of South Florida to enjoy and learn about a local treasure
that has been hidden for so long. Already involved in the planning
is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who, thanks to Congresswoman
Carrie P. Meek, have already earmarked more than 11 million dollars
for shoreline and environmental restoration, a safe swimming area
and the return of the fragile natural environment of the whole island
to a healthy state. The Task Force has also secured funding from the
State for the process of securing official historic site designation
on the national registry of historic places.
Up until the last days before the commission vote, there were concerns that development forces within the city would prevail in their bid to deny the right of citizens to enjoy their park. City staff had an opposing ordinance on the commission agenda that would have reduced the area under the Trust authority by almost 50%. City Manager, Carlos Gimenez's assertion of his reluctance to "give away city property" as the rationale for this action was laughable, considering that the Trust is a city entity with commission oversight. The second ordinance was eventually pulled when it became obvious that the Task Force had been mobilizing the community at large to attend the commission meeting in protest.
The Members of
the Task Force thank all those who have assisted in this endeavor
and look forward to continued cooperation and support as the Trust
assumes its charge.
December 1999
Virginia Key Update
The Virginia Key Park Task Force is sponsoring a charette to be held the weekend of January 14, 15 & 16. The opening program will be Friday evening and the entire event will be at the Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Miami, which is located on Virginia Key. We expect participation from local, state and federal agencies including the National Parks Service, South Florida Regional Planning Council, the Department of Environmental Protection, Dade Heritage Trust and Tropical Audubon to name a few. We are also requesting that as many people as possible from the general public show up for this event. We need the public's ideas, suggestions and input to ensure that this process works and that what comes out of this is in the public's interest. The Old County Park site should remain public and accessible. With the seeming all-out push now on to hand over our public spaces to private interests, and Bicentennial Park comes to mind, there is even more need for support for this process. Please spread the word. Please plan to be there.
Mark Walters is
the Sierra Club Representative on the Task Force. If you have any
questions, you may send e-mail to him at: WWalters@miamiproject.med.miami.edu
or you can email me: Nancy Lee tropware@accesspro.net.
November 1999
Virginia Key Update
As you know, if you have been following the Virginia Key Park issue, a Task Force was formed in June, at the request of M. Athalie Range. Commissioner Teele was an early supporter of this effort. The Task Forceās charge was to create a development plan for a historical park on the site, which once was a segregated beach in the late 40ās until the mid 50ās. Further, the Commission imposed upon City Staff, a six month moratorium on developing the site - they had been on a fast track for development.
On October 26, the Virginia Key Task Force made an additional request before the City of Miami Commission. Resolution No. 99 382 was passed unanimously. This resolution funds a Charrette for the 77 acres of park property on Virginia Key. The Charrette is scheduled for a weekend in the middle of January. We would like Sierra members to attend this important planning event if at all possible. Input from the Community is the key to success. The final report by the Task Force will be presented to the Commission at the second meeting in February, during Black History Month. Mark Walters is the Sierra Club Representative on the Task Force. If you have any questions, you may send e-mail to him at: WWalters@miamiproject.med.miami.edu or you can email me: Nancy Lee tropware@accesspro.net.
- Nancy Lee
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