Phelan Park: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Phelan_Park.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Phelan Park in 2018]]
[[Image:Phelan_Park.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Phelan Park in 2018]]
'''Phelan Park''' (also known as '''Triangle Park''') is a small neighborhood park located in the [[Five Points South neighborhood]] between [[13th Avenue South|13th]] and [[14th Avenue South]] at [[15th Street South|15th Street]]. The park was established in [[1907]] and named for pioneer homesteader [[Ellis Phelan]], one of the first to take up residence in the area surrounding what became Five Points South.
'''Phelan Park''' (also known as '''Triangle Park''') is a small neighborhood park located in the [[Five Points South neighborhood]] between [[13th Avenue South|13th]] and [[14th Avenue South]] at [[15th Street South|15th Street]].
 
Land for the park, part of the former estate of [[Ellis Phelan]], was donated to the city by [[Turner Weakley]] in [[1905]]. The park was established in [[1907]] and named for Phelan, who had been one of the first to take up residence in the area surrounding what became Five Points South.
[[Image:Phelan_Park_marker.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Phelan Park marker]]
[[Image:Phelan_Park_marker.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Phelan Park marker]]


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The neighborhood around the park declined in the 1980s and the park itself was frequented by prostitutes and drug users. Neighbors referred to it disparagingly as "Felon Park" or "Needle Park". An early 1990s clean-up effort was largely successful, helped by neighborhood leaders who convinced [[Tuscaloosa]]'s [[Dreamland Bar-B-Que]] to open their first and only Birmingham location in a vacant commercial building facing the park. The city and the neighborhood association spent a total of about $330,000 in park improvements including playground equipment and sidewalk lighting. Part of the money was donated by [[HealthSouth]]. [[A. G. Gaston Construction]] was contracted to do the landscaping work, and a number of recovering substance abusers from the [[Fellowship House]], a nearby halfway house, were hired to help with the work.
The neighborhood around the park declined in the 1980s and the park itself was frequented by prostitutes and drug users. Neighbors referred to it disparagingly as "Felon Park" or "Needle Park". An early 1990s clean-up effort was largely successful, helped by neighborhood leaders who convinced [[Tuscaloosa]]'s [[Dreamland Bar-B-Que]] to open their first and only Birmingham location in a vacant commercial building facing the park. The city and the neighborhood association spent a total of about $330,000 in park improvements including playground equipment and sidewalk lighting. Part of the money was donated by [[HealthSouth]]. [[A. G. Gaston Construction]] was contracted to do the landscaping work, and a number of recovering substance abusers from the [[Fellowship House]], a nearby halfway house, were hired to help with the work.


The triangular park now contains a small playground area and a paved plaza with picnic tables, located directly across from Dreamland. The park is the centerpiece of the '''Phelan Park Historic District''', As recorded in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on [[February 26]], [[1989]], the historic district is bounded by [[13th Avenue South]], [[14th Street South]], [[14th Avenue South]], and [[13th Place South]]. In January [[1994]] the district became the first local historic district recognized by the city of [[Birmingham]]. That same year the [[Five Points South neighborhood association]], together with the city and the [[Magic City Blues Society]], began sponsoring blues concerts, the [[Phelan Park Music Series]]. on Sunday afternoons each Spring and Fall.
The triangular park now contains a small playground area and a paved plaza with picnic tables, located directly across from Dreamland. The park is the centerpiece of the [[Phelan Park Historic District]], As recorded in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on [[February 26]], [[1989]], the historic district is bounded by [[13th Avenue South]], [[14th Street South]], [[14th Avenue South]], and [[13th Place South]]. In January [[1994]] the district became the first local historic district recognized by the city of [[Birmingham]]. That same year the [[Five Points South neighborhood | Five Points South neighborhood association]], together with the city and the [[Magic City Blues Society]], began sponsoring blues concerts, the [[Phelan Park Music Series]]. on Sunday afternoons each Spring and Fall.


In [[2003]] the neighborhood successfully petitioned the city to institute a curfew at Phelan Park. Posted signs indicate the park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
In [[2003]] the neighborhood successfully petitioned the city to institute a curfew at Phelan Park. Posted signs indicate the park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.


==References==
==References==
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (September 15, 1993) "Dreamland, cleanup spell safety, neighbors say." ''Birmingham News''.
* {{BN}} (June 22, 1905), p. 3
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (March 16, 1994) "'Needle Park' Transformed." ''Birmingham News''.
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (September 15, 1993) "Dreamland, cleanup spell safety, neighbors say." {{BN}}
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (April 20, 1994) "'Recovering addicts help renovate former hangout." ''Birmingham News''.
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (March 16, 1994) "'Needle Park' Transformed." {{BN}}
* Coman, Victoria L. (December 18, 2002) "Five Points South resident crusades against park loafers." ''Birmingham News''.
* Walsh, Maggie Hall (April 20, 1994) "'Recovering addicts help renovate former hangout." {{BN}}
* Coman, Victoria L. (December 18, 2002) "Five Points South resident crusades against park loafers." {{BN}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 22:25, 10 October 2023

Phelan Park in 2018

Phelan Park (also known as Triangle Park) is a small neighborhood park located in the Five Points South neighborhood between 13th and 14th Avenue South at 15th Street.

Land for the park, part of the former estate of Ellis Phelan, was donated to the city by Turner Weakley in 1905. The park was established in 1907 and named for Phelan, who had been one of the first to take up residence in the area surrounding what became Five Points South.

Phelan Park marker

In the 1930s the Works Progress Administration undertook to improve the informal park, building rock wall around its edges.

The neighborhood around the park declined in the 1980s and the park itself was frequented by prostitutes and drug users. Neighbors referred to it disparagingly as "Felon Park" or "Needle Park". An early 1990s clean-up effort was largely successful, helped by neighborhood leaders who convinced Tuscaloosa's Dreamland Bar-B-Que to open their first and only Birmingham location in a vacant commercial building facing the park. The city and the neighborhood association spent a total of about $330,000 in park improvements including playground equipment and sidewalk lighting. Part of the money was donated by HealthSouth. A. G. Gaston Construction was contracted to do the landscaping work, and a number of recovering substance abusers from the Fellowship House, a nearby halfway house, were hired to help with the work.

The triangular park now contains a small playground area and a paved plaza with picnic tables, located directly across from Dreamland. The park is the centerpiece of the Phelan Park Historic District, As recorded in the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 1989, the historic district is bounded by 13th Avenue South, 14th Street South, 14th Avenue South, and 13th Place South. In January 1994 the district became the first local historic district recognized by the city of Birmingham. That same year the Five Points South neighborhood association, together with the city and the Magic City Blues Society, began sponsoring blues concerts, the Phelan Park Music Series. on Sunday afternoons each Spring and Fall.

In 2003 the neighborhood successfully petitioned the city to institute a curfew at Phelan Park. Posted signs indicate the park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

References

External links

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