John C. Beasley Park

John C. Beasley Park, formerly known as John Beasley Wayside Park, is a public beach area on Okaloosa Island in Florida. It was established as a state park to provide beach access for African Americans during the era of segregation. After desegregation it was turned over to the Okaloosa County.[1] The park is named for John C. Beasley.[2] Fodor's reported the park had 2-dune walkovers, showers, parking, toilets, lifeguards, and picnic tables.[3]

A commemorative plaque was installed at the park in 2015. It was the only beach open to African Americans in Okaloosa County until desegregation.[1]

In May 2020, The Northwest Florida Daily News published a photograph of the beach from the 1970s (#112)[4]

References
  1. Freeman, Danielle. "Park Ranger Andrew Hill Commemorated At Beasley Park". www.wuwf.org.
  2. News, KARI C. BARLOW | Daily. "County committee pushing to recognize black history at Beasley Park". Northwest Florida Daily News.
  3. Guides, Fodor's Travel (October 28, 2014). "Fodor's Florida 2015". Fodor's Travel – via Google Books.
  4. "Photos: VINTAGE That's the way, uh huh, uh huh, we liked Fort Walton Beach in the 1970s". Northwest Florida Daily News.


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