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Feb 23, 2008 10:39 pm US/Eastern

Virginia Key Beach Reopens To All

Some beach-goers enjoyed Saturday's weather on a historical beach that just re-opened to the public.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park reopened Friday as a tribute to people who turned an archive of segregation into a vibrant public place for everyone. 

In 1945, after blacks protested about beach access, the county designated Virginia Key Beach as ``Colored Only.'' A ribbon-cutting ceremony today marked its opening with Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery of the Coalition for the Peoples Agenda officially dedicating the beach. 

The beach officially reopened on Saturday, people came out to celebrate the restored site that closed in 1982. It was almost leased out to private developers before local leaders, former Miami commissioners M. Athalie Range and Arthur E. Teele, and other local groups stepped in. 

"Family Fest Day" was celebrated with entertainment featuring Jeffrey Osborne, local performers, carousel and carnival rides for the children, sandcastles, and vintage-classic car shows. 

Range founded the Park Trust in 2001, which led to a grant of $497,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior to complete restoration of the beach. Ranged died in 2006 and Teele in 2005. 

At Friday's ceremonies, musical performances were rendered by the Bahamian Junkanoo Revue and Florida Memorial University Steel Band and Choral Ensemble, while Boy Scouts provide the flag ceremony.  

Visitors got a glimpse of the past museum exhibit and tours will re-tell the history of the beach.

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