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]