MPRB and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council

MPRB and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council
“Celebrate our Beloved Community” on August 23

Community Event Includes March, Music and Entertainment for Children of All Ages

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council (Legacy Council) will host the fourth annual rededication of the park Saturday, August 23, from 1– 4 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 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Advisory Council.

“The community is excited about our event on August 23,” said Sandra Richardson, Co-chair of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council. “The focal point of this year’s celebration will be unveiling of the Beloved Community Project surrounding the Freedom Form II sculpture. We envision this as a place where people can learn, reflect on and contemplate Dr. King’s thoughts and ideas as well as the values and lessons learned in the continuing struggle for freedom. We have put in a spiral walkway up to the sculpture with granite benches and metal ornamental wraps. The wraps have quotes from Dr. King Laser cut into them along with reflections on these quotes from neighbors. This space is a collaboration between the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council, Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, informed by community dialogue. Of course we will March from Sabathani Community Center and have many fun activities for children of all ages.”

Prior to the 1 p.m. Celebrate Our Beloved Community event the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Council will sponsor a 10:30 a.m. rally and march beginning at 11:30 a.m. from the Sabathani Community Center (310 E. 38th St.) to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with a dedication of the newly completed Beloved Community Project featuring Timotha Lanae. The celebration continues with music from Jovonta Patton & DFY at 2 p.m. The Andre Fischer Twins Cities Mobile Jazz Project wraps up the musical entertainment from 3 to 4 p.m. The event will also include free kids and art activities, and food vendors will also be on hand.

“This is a significant step in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Council’s journey to bring Dr. King's vision of peace and equality to the park in spirit, practice and design,” said MPRB President Liz Wielenski. “I am confident that this place of reverence and reflection will be an important part of the community for generations to come.”

Exciting things are happening at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. In July 2013 the MPRB began seeking input from the community about a new playground to be built at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The community process for the playground was completed in July with the approval of the concept plan and equipment design. Construction is planned for 2015 with a grand opening at the fifth annual Celebration in August of 2015. In June 2012 the MPRB received a donation for Minneapolis native and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., for renovations of the basketball court at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The court was resurfaced in blue and green, and new hoops, poles, backboards and benches were installed. In 2011 the MPRB approved funding for the Phase I Site Improvements at the park which include: cleaning, restoring and moving Freedom Form II sculpture and updating all park signage and publications with the proper park name. Additionally the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center expanded its year-round youth programing and enacted late hours basketball.

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. 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.