MPRB and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Legacy Council Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington with August 24 The Dream @ 50 Celebration

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Legacy Council Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the

 March on Washington with August 24 Dream @ 50 Celebration

 

Event includes march from Sabathani Community Center to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 12th Freedom Jazz Festival with Host W Rayford Johnson, family activities and community reflections

 

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Legacy Council (Legacy Council) will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic 1963 civil rights march in Washington, DC with The Dream @ 50 Celebration on Saturday, August 24, from 12:30 – 7 p.m. at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (4055 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55409). The event is sponsored by the MPRB with support from the Legacy Council and Freedom Jazz Festival.

 

“This is going to be a great event,” said Legacy Council Member Sandra Richardson. “The Legacy Council has a big dream for the park. We envision it as a living legacy to Dr. King and the civil rights movement; a place where kids and adults can get support and learn how to fight for causes and justice in today's world. As Dr. King said, ‘Dreams and visions are infused into men for their advantage and instruction.’”

 

Prior to the 12:30 p.m. Dream @ 50 Celebration event at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, the Legacy Council is sponsoring a 10:30 a.m. rally and 11:45 a.m. anniversary march from the Sabathani Community Center (310 E. 38th St.) to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

 

The Dream @ 50 Celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. with reflections on the march from Dr. Josie Johnson and a keynote from Mahmoud El-Kati, community elder and nationally known historian and scholar.

 

From 1:15 – 7 p.m., the 12th Freedom Jazz Festival with host W Rayford Johnson will provide music. The celebration will include free kids and art activities, and food vendors will also be on hand. Celebration attendees are invited to bring a blanket or chairs and picnic items and spend the day.

 

Off-site parking and shuttles to and from the event will be available at North Commons and Farview Parks and the McKnight Early Childhood Center at 4225 3rd Ave. S. For more information, call the MLK50 hotline at 612-584-1655 or visit www.mlk50mpls.com.

 

“We support the efforts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Council and local community to bring Dr. King's vision of peace and equality to the park in spirit, practice and design,” said MPRB President John Erwin. “With many upgrades and the Phase I Site improvements underway, I am confident that Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. Park will continue to thrive as a focal point for the surrounding community for years to come.”

 

Charles Mays, Legacy Council Co-chair, explains that Phase I is just the beginning of the Council’s vision for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

 

“Our concept is to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in South Minneapolis into a state-wide living memorial to Dr. King’s philosophy, historical significance and current inspiration,” says Mays. “We envision a public space dedicated to Dr. King where his ideals would be demonstrated in the landscape, walking paths, interpretive displays, public art and programming in the park building. It would be a welcoming place for all people.”

 

In 2011 the MPRB approved funding for the Phase I Site Improvements at the park which include: cleaning, restoring and moving Freedom Form 2 sculpture and updating all park signage and publications with the proper park name. Phases II and III involve landscaping and building a “Freedom Path,” “Peace Garden” and “Promenade.”

 

“The park will also be a place where children and adults learn about the civil rights movement nationally and civil rights history in Minneapolis and Minnesota,” continued Mays. “This playground will be unique. Not only will it be a place to play, but it will also be a place for children to learn about African American history and African Americans’ contribution to the USA.”

 

In July 2013, the MPRB began seeking input from the community about a new playground to be built at the park. The community process for the playground is anticipated to span through September. If planning and weather permit, construction would start in late 2013 or early 2014 with a planned grand opening in August 2014.

 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park was renamed from Nicollet Field in 1968 to Dr. Martin Luther King Park to honor the civil rights leader who was assassinated earlier that year. Based on recommendations by the Advisory Task Force, the name of the park is now Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, ensuring the legacy of Dr. King will be preserved. A great asset to the community, the park offers a full menu of park and recreation programs and services. Its amenities include a year-round staffed recreation center (with gym, meeting rooms, kiln, kitchen, and lounge area), basketball court for pickup games or organized programs and a well-used playground and wading pool. In addition to the winding pathways and picnic areas throughout the park, a regulation baseball field and two softball fields are also available for leagues and programs offered through the Park Board. More information on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park can be found on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website at www.minneapolisparks.org.

 

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Contact:

 

Robin Smothers

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Office: 612-230-6410

Cell: 612-499-9052

rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org

 

Sandra Richardson

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Legacy Council

612-327-7010

srichardson@sabathani.org