Paradise Park, Florida

Paradise Park was a tourist attraction and recreational facility "for colored people only", as its sign said,[1] about a 1 mile (1.6 km) from Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida, founded and run by the same management. 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, during which time Silver Springs' boat rides were for 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

Finalists on stage in the 9th Annual Miss Paradise Park pageant.
Chrome era postcard showing the Glass Bottom Boats at Paradise Park.
Promotional flyer for Paradise Park, Florida, a park for colored during the racial segregation period.
Promotional flyer for Paradise Park, Florida, a park for colored during the racial segregation period.
Promotional ad for Paradise Park, Florida, a park for colored during the racial segregation period.
Turn here for Paradise Park - For colored people - Glass-bottom boats - Swimming - One mile

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,[3]:160–162 as well as picnics.[3]:169 Preachers and choirs had sunrise services.[3]:187 “Easter egg hunts, baptisms, and picnics were common and at Christmas, Santa Claus would cruise down the river on a glass-bottom boat to pass out candy, nuts, and fruit for young visitors. Herpetologist Ross Allen even set up a reptile exhibit at the park, similar to the one located upriver at Silver Springs.”[4] According to a sign in the promotional movie cited below, "Ross Allen's Wild Animal Exhibit" included "dozens of alligators, hundreds of snakes, monkeys, deer, birds, turtles, lizards, exotic animals" and "Ole Coochie", a "giant alligator". According to a brochure, there was "Ross Allen's unusual Reptile Institute, with its great collection of snakes, alligators, Florida wild animals, birds, and an ever changing variety of lions, tigers, and other animals of that breed. At intervals, Mr. Allen, known thruout the world as a top expert on snakes, will tell you all about their habits as he 'milks' them of venom."[5]

On Labor Day, there was a beauty pageant, sponsored by a local American Legion post. "In 1949, Mildred Jones of Sanford was crowned the first Miss Paradise Park."[1] The Future Farmers of America had their conventions there.[3]:169 The musician B. B. King once visited,[3]:51 as did Mary McLeod Bethune, who "didn't care too much" for Paradise Park "because it was segregated".[3]:159 There was a Bethune-Cookman College day, with the day's proceeds donated to the college.[3]:158

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

Today, Paradise Park remains buried beneath the 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.
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References
  1. Rizzo, Marian (August 22, 2013). "Paradise Park was a haven for black community". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  2. Coursen, Liz. "Paradise Segregated". New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  3. Vickers, Lu; Wilson-Graham, Cynthia (2015). Remembering Paradise Park : tourism and segregation at Silver Springs. University Press of Florida. ISBN 0813061520.
  4. Florida Memory, Dept. of Library & Information Services, Department of State, State of Florida. "Paradise Park".CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. "Brochure for Paradise Park, a segregated African-American tourist attraction". Florida Memory, Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State. Retrieved May 25, 2018.

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