Memorial Park
- This article is about the Birmingham city park. For other uses, see Memorial Park (disambiguation).
| Memorial Park | |
|
Birmingham City Parks |
| Years | [[]]–present |
|---|---|
| Location | 524 6th Avenue South, (map) North Titusville |
| Area | 7.18 acres |
| Website | birminghamal.gov |
Memorial Park is a 7.18 acre Birmingham City Park located at 524 6th Avenue South, between 6th Street South and Alpha Street, across from the Birmingham Department of Public Works in North Titusville. It houses Memorial Park Recreation Center, a swimming pool, four tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, a football/soccer field, and a baseball diamond. There are two playground areas and two barbecue shelters.
Memorial Park, also called Colored Memorial Park and Negro Memorial Park, was reserved for Black residents until city parks were integrated in 1964. The park is the home field for the Titusville Knights youth football team.
On May 27, 1942 the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board discussed a proposal by Mrs Sharp to rename the park as Rayfield Memorial Park, but a motion to keep the existing name was passed instead.
In 1951 the Birmingham City Commission purchased a 2.5-acre parcel for $10,000 to expand the park and make room for athletic fields, which were illuminated for evening games. A. G. Gaston and J. W. Goodgame were involved in lobbying the commission for investment in parks for Black children.
In August 1952 about 700 people participated in "Play Day" at Memorial Park, capped by a square dance to music by the 60-piece Local 733 Concert Band. The group played an open air "starlight concert" sponsored by the Park and Recreation Board, the Performance Trust Fund, and American Federation of Musicians Local 733. Amos Gordon and Iva Williams directed the group, which was managed by Fess Whatley.
New fencing with brick and cast stone piers, and large, curving monument signs on the southeast and southwest corners of the park were added in 2010. UAB and Blank Space Bham collaborated with neighborhood youth on the design and execution of a painted mural on the back of the recreation center in 2021.
References
- Birmingham Park and Recreation Board (May 27, 1942) "Minutes" - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- "City purchases land needed to enlarge park for Negroes" (March 6, 1951) The Birmingham News
- "First Starlight Concert To Be Held Tonight at 8 at Memorial Park" (August 26, 1952) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections