Paradise Park, Florida
Paradise Park was a tourist attraction and the only local recreational facility "for colored people", as its sign said,[1] about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida. It offered similar features, such as glass-bottom boats, "jungle cruises," a petting zoo,[2] a dance pavilion with jukebox, performers,[3]: 164 a softball field, a horseshoe toss,[3]: 159 and a sandy beach with lifeguards. It operated from 1949 to 1969, closing soon after desegregation of Silver Springs. It served African American patrons prohibited from Silver Springs' boat rides that were limited to whites only.[3]: 5–7 As was the rule during the allegedly separate but equal period, "Paradise Park was alright, but it wasn't up on a par with the white parts of Silver Springs."[3]: 159
At the time, it was one of three beaches open for African Americans in the state of Florida.[1] Admission was free, though swimming cost 35¢, which provided a towel and clothes storage. "Paradise Park drew about 100,000 visitors annually. People came, sometimes by the busload, from as far away as New York and California."[1] At times, the park overflowed with visitors. One day there were 30 buses in the parking lot; on another occasion, 247 cars were counted.[1] "Chartered buses brought visitors from many states."[3]: 27 Brochures were distributed in Georgia and Alabama, seeking these customers.[3]: 146 In 1953, Ebony magazine called it "the newest and largest recreational facility for Negroes in the South".[3]: 162
Churches held mass baptisms at Paradise Park,
On Labor Day, there was a beauty pageant, sponsored by a local
Silver Springs began admitting black patrons in 1967. During Paradise Park's last season, 1968–69, it was open only Saturdays. Sundays, and holidays. It closed quietly in 1969.[3]: 186
The area that was Paradise Park is now covered by underbrush.[3]: 15, 189, 196 It is remembered fondly by its former employees and visitors.[3]: 189–196 "Paradise Park was our roots."[3]: 190
Further reading
- Okona, Nneka M. (June 19, 2018). "Beaches that are havens for black vacationers now used to be our only options". Washington Post.
See also
References
- ^ Ocala Star-Banner. Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- New York Times. Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0813061528.
- ^ Florida Memory, Dept. of Library & Information Services, Department of State, State of Florida. "Paradise Park". Archived from the original on 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Brochure for Paradise Park, a segregated African-American tourist attraction". Florida Memory, Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
External links
- Undated but probably early 1950s 4:30 silent promotional movie for Paradise Park. Photographer was Bruce Mozert.
- "Paradise Lost: Florida's Segregated Beaches and Parks", a program on "Florida Crossroads", 09/29/2014