McLendon Park

McLendon Park is a Birmingham city park located in the Graymont neighborhood and most noted for being the site of Legion Field.

The park property was purchased in 1923 by the Birmingham City Commission with the support of members David McLendon and W. L. Harrison. At they time, they proposed that the park serve as a "racial buffer" between neighborhoods zoned for white and black residents.

Themaster plan developed by the Olmsted Brothers during 1924, called "A Park System for Birmingham" , found that the park (now named in McLendon's honor) was large enough to serve both as a neighborhood park and as a location for large athletic fields. The plan recommended that adjoining lots be purchased to expand the park.

By 1926 a more ambitious athletic facility was proposed. Architect David O. Whilldin drew up plans for a 21,000-seat stadium costing $439,000. It was dedicated on November 19, 1927 and expanded in later decades into an 83,810-seat multi-tiered stadium dubbed "The Football Capital of the South".

The park, along with numerous others, was rededicated by Birmingham City Council ordinance in 2000.

References

• "Park Work Costing Many Millions Urged" (February 6, 1925) The Birmingham News, rpt. in
• Birmingham Historical Society (2008) Hand Down Unharmed: Olmsted Files on Birmingham Parks, 1920-1925. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society ISBN 0943994322