Sandra McNuckles
The Houston Sun
While I know that we all know that a park is land set aside for the enjoyment of the public to rest and relax; and I believe that most of us have, at least, heard of Emancipation Park, once or twice,I can’t help but wonder if we all knew its fascinating history and what it offers the citizens of Houston, today?
So, I sat down recently with the Co-Founder & Editor of the Houston Sun Newspaper, Dorris Ellis-Robinson, to discuss, the history of Emancipation Park.The history is quite exciting involving names that you may know like President Roosevelt (FDR), the late Congressman Mickey Leland, former Mayor Bill White, Mayor Annise Parker, City Council Member James Rodriquez, City Council Member Wanda Adams, and many more. Have I whet your appetite, yet?
Did you know that four Negro men from Freedman’s Fourth Ward, two businessmen (Richard Allen & Richard Brock) and two clergymen (Elijah Dibble and Jack Yates) amassed a sum of $800 in order to purchase 10 acres of land at the same location (3018 Dowling at Elgin, Houston, TX 77004) that is Emancipation Park today, in an effort to celebrate their newfound FREEdom? Yes, you’ve heard the story, when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863 and Texas received the news on June 19, 1865. In 1872, the story further goes that these noteworthy men created the first Negro park in Texas and it “was central to the life of freed men, women, and children as a facility for various purposes such as to have fun, to display talents, to disseminate information, to become educated, and to be used as housing”, according to Ms. Ellis-Robinson. She went on to say that this is the same goal (today) of Friends of Emancipation Park Houston.
The Friends of Emancipation Park celebrates its sixth year as a non-profit volunteer organization that services Emancipation Park, in case you (the Reader/Public) would like to get involved. All you have to do is go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Emancipation-Park-Houston or to the Friends of Emancipation Park’s website at www.emancipationusa.com to find out how and also to become more familiar with the history and events both upcoming and offered at the Park.
So if you already knew the above, do you also know that Emancipation Park offers all children, even the handicapped (6-18yrs.) various year-round Afternoon/Afterschool programs from 3-6p such as tutoring, arts & crafts, basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming, 4H Club, Afro-American History, and others activities that include a daily snack & meal? There are classes for adults such as line dancing, water aerobics, exercise classes, quilting, and more. I am told that the elders are also always welcomed and can volunteer in any of the programs of interest to them. They are gracing our children as story tellers, as audience members, and they can be seen cheering on the children, as well. I don’t have to tell you how beneficial this is to both parties, do I?
I found out from the Emancipation Park’s Recreation Facilities Manager, Ms. JoAnn Johnson, at 713-284-1302, that their Community Outreach Program’s Christmas Giveaway this Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 (10-2p) is sponsored by yet another very interesting non-profit organization called The Houston Launch Pad that you may also know or want to know about.
On December 14, 2013 The Friends of Emancipation Park sponsored their Annual “Holiday in the Park” where different organizations came out to decorate the trees in the park to look like Christmas trees. The trees were then judged and the winners were announced at the “Holiday in the Park” ceremony. The tree lighting followed.
Organizations and businesses such as Gyrls Inc., FEP Youth Leadership, Houston League of Business and Professional Women and the Houston Sun participated.