Memorial Park

From Bhamwiki
Revision as of 10:22, 5 August 2023 by Dystopos (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is about the Birmingham city park. For other uses, see Memorial Park (disambiguation).
Memorial Park
Bham Park and Rec logo.jpg Birmingham City Parks
Years 1942–present
Location 524 6th Avenue South, (map)
North Titusville
Area 7.18 acres
Website birminghamal.gov

Memorial Park, formerly Colored Memorial Park and Negro 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. The park is the home field for the Titusville Knights youth football team.

Alabama State Federation of Civic Leagues leader William McAlpine lobbied the city to create a park for Black residents. During their May 27, 1942 meeting the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board discussed a motion by Mrs Sharp to name the park Rayfield Memorial Park, but it was not adopted. The park was dedicated on May 31.

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 using funds raised by the South Elyton Civic League. 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.

The South Elyton Civic League dedicated a miniature golf course at Memorial Park in August 1953.

Memorial remained segregated until 1964 when all of the city's parks were integrated by court order.

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

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Memorial_Park&oldid=205435"