HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003-07 Supporting the Designation of National Park for the Virginia Key Beach ParkRESOLUTION NO. 2003-7
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE,
FLORIDA; SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF
NATIONAL PARK FOR THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK.
WHEREAS, Virginia Key Beach Park has a rich and culturally significant history dating
from its August 1, 1945 designation as a county park "for the exclusive use of Negroes," after
which the island became a favored place for African Americans gathering for religious ceremonies,
romantic evenings, celebrity visits and family events; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Key has historic significance as the site of an 1838 battle in the
Seminole Wars where three Seminoles were killed in battle; and
WHEREAS, the natural beach and hammock area stretching north from the Virginia Key
Beach Park and other unspoiled mangrove areas on Virginia Key represent rare examples of the
ecology, vegetation and landscape once common throughout the Florida Keys and barrier islands of
South Florida; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Key Beach park is listed as a National Historic site in the National
Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, National Parks tell the story of America's rich tapestry of historical, cultural,
and national history of this great country; and
WHEREAS, the former landfill site on Virginia Key adjacent to the access road north of
Virginia Key Beach Park is a prime candidate site for recreational playing fields that could serve the
Village of Key Biscayne, and such recreation would constitute uses that are consistent with a nearby
National Park Unit; and
WHEREAS, designation as a National Park Unit a llows the National Parks Service to
manage the area in order to conserve the scenery and the natural historical objects and wildlife
therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will
leave them unimpaired for future generations; and
WHEREAS, designation as a National Park Unit will make the area eligible for federal funds
to allow the Park Service to carry out this management responsibility;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF KEY
BISCAYNE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Village of Key Biscayne supports the National Park service's special
resource study slated for the Virginia Key Beach Park and recommends an evaluation of the
undeveloped and unspoiled beach, hammock and mangrove areas to be included in the study
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of February , 2003
406(Led,L.,L,1
MAYOR ROBERT OLDAKOWSKI
C • CHITA H. ALVAREZ, CMC, VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND L AL SUFFICIENCY: