Things to do nearDr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park sits on a barrier island in Dania Beach, Florida, preserving one of Broward County's last natural beachfronts. The park is named for Dr. Von D. Mizell and Eula Johnson, local civil rights leaders who organized wade-in protests in the 1960s to integrate what was then a segregated public beach. That history gives the park a weight and significance that sets it apart from any ordinary day-trip destination.

On the water, the park delivers consistently. The nearshore reef draws snorkelers year-round, and the calmer inlet side suits paddlers looking for a gentler outing. Guided snorkeling excursions are available nearby for those who want an expert introduction to the reef. Anglers cast from the shore or venture out toward Port Everglades, which lies just over a kilometer to the north.

The park also protects a stretch of coastal hammock and mangrove habitat, home to gopher tortoises, roseate spoonbills, and migratory shorebirds. Interpretive signage along the nature trail connects the ecological story to the human one, making a walk through the park genuinely educational.

Whether you come for the history, the reef, or simply a quiet afternoon on an uncrowded Florida beach, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park offers something that feels increasingly rare on the South Florida coast: a place where nature and memory are both carefully tended.