On Tuesday, September 13th at 9AM, the City of Miami Commission will be meeting for the first time since they passed the pilot program for the homeless encampment on Virginia Key. One of the items for discussion will be the fate of the Virginia Key Outdoor Center, who like many of you know was closed down for numerous ‘code violations’ 2 weeks ago. This is your opportunity to show the City of Miami Commissioners how much the residents love and value Virginia Key Park and the Virginia Key Outdoor Center.

We are calling for residents to attend the rally in front of Miami’s City Hall (3500 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133). Bring your signs, water, snacks and your friends who also care about Virginia Key Park! The City of Miami Commission meeting will commence at 9AM and there will be an opportunity inside to participate in public comment in the morning. Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity are currently looking for speakers and are accepting donations for sign making and water for the protestors. If you are interested in supporting the rally, please email [email protected]

This could possibly be our last chance to show the Commissioners how much of a value Virginia Key Park and the Virginia Key Outdoor Center (@VKOCFL) is to the community. Please show up! If you are unable to come in person, here are a few things you can do:

1.) Contact your elected officials. Express to them that Virginia Key Park is an environmentally sensitive area and the Virginia Key Outdoor Center has become a staple in the local community when it comes to promoting and providing access to the outdoors!

Mayor Francis Suarez (@francissuarez)
[email protected]
(305) 250-5300

District #1 Alex Diaz de la Portilla (@alexdlpmia)   [email protected]
(305) 250-5430

District #2 Ken Russell (@kenrussellmiami).
[email protected]
305-250-5333

District #3 Joe Carollo (@joecarollonow)
[email protected]
305-960-4650

District #4 Manolo Reyes (@manolo4miami)
[email protected]
305-250-5420

District #5 Christine King (@iamchristineking).
[email protected]
305-250-5390

2.) Tag Elected Officials online. SHOW them how important Virginia Key Park is by sharing a memory on the island, at the VKOC, or at the Virginia Key Mountain Bike Trails. All of their social media handles are above. Make sure to also tag @vkocfl, @virginiakeybicycleclub, and neighbors like @keybiscayne for reposting.

3.) Sign and share the ongoing petition, www.change.org/savevirginiakey

4.) Reach out to the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity (@miamiracialequity). They are currently organizing the rally outside of City Hall and are in need of supplies to create signs and water for volunteers.

#HandsOffOurParks #SaveVirginiaKey #ParksForThePeopleMIA

Source: change.org