Park Board Approves Improvements to King Park in MLK's Honor

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved the first phase of a proposal, which allots $32,500 to the restoration and relocation of a sculpture dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. in King Park. 

The proposal came after months of by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , which was formed as a result of the controversy over a dog park proposed for King Park. The group presented their proposals to the park board,  outlining their ambitious two-phase proposal for the park’s future.

Renovation and Relocation of Sculpture Dedicated to King
The park, once called Nicollet Field, was renamed in 1968 after the assassination of King. The renamed park underwent renovation and was dedicated on June 21, 1970, according to the legacy committee’s report.

A sculpture, Freedom Form No. 2, was donated and presented to the park in Dr. King’s memory by the New York- based artist Daniel L. Johnson. Since that time, the sculpture has been moved to a less prominent spot, and no one seems to know why this happened.  

Phase one of the group's plan entails moving the Freedom Form 2 sculpture to its original location, where it is visible from Nicollet Avenue. It will also add a walkway, landscaping and plaque. The sculpture will be cleaned and restored, and there will be consistent use of the name Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on all signage in the park.

The state of the sculpture and King’s legacy came under scrutiny as a result of the proposed off-leash dog area in the park. In the past year, there were many that divided the community until the park board voted at the beginning of this year to . One result of the dog park controversy was that the park board set up the legacy committee to develop a plan to honor Dr. King at the park. Another result was that the board also approved a for improvements in honor of King late last year.  

Former Park Board Commissioner Mary Merrill Anderson, who has led the legacy committee meetings, was one of the speakers at Wednesday’s meeting. “We renamed the park in honor of Martin Luther King,” she said. “But [we] never let the park be the place where his philosophy, his way of life, could be part of the environment.”

Phase Two Dreams Big
Another legacy committee member, Sandra Richardson, outlined the proposals. “We were encouraged to dream big,” she said. “That’s what we did.” 

Phase two of the legacy committee’s proposal includes $1.6 million in physical improvements and additional programs. Physical improvements would include adding gardens, both flower gardens and community vegetable gardens, playgrounds, walking paths, an amphitheater, improved signage, quilt gardens, and memorial/interpretive elements. Programmatic improvements include establishing a Martin Luther King Youth Council, a Freedom Jazz Festival, adding educational programs, starting a quilting group, holding a Taste of the Nation fair, storytelling lessons and more.  

The programming element of phase one has already begun. Park staff members Carmen Wilson and Brian Cornell said they have already implemented some programming elements. They’re planning a Willie Mays T-Ball tournament on June 10, and are starting a Girls teen group that will focus on leadership skills.

The park is hiring a staff person to work ten hours a week with the goal of bringing in speakers to talk about the philosophy of Dr. King and the importance of fairness, equality and peace. The staff plans to screen the film “Four Little Girls” by Spike Lee on June 25. “Young folks really need to learn more about the Civil Rights movement,” Wilson said. “The movie touches on its importance.” 

A Permanent Advisory Committee
The final part of phase one includes establishing a permanent advisory committee to make sure that the proposal is fully implemented.

Commissioner Annie Young asked about what the legacy committee meant by having a permanent advisory board. Was it to last forever, or just until the two phases were implemented?

“I think one of the things that is clear to us, is that this happened because we as a community weren’t watching,” said Sandra Richardson.

Commissioner Anita Tabb suggested that to ensure the advisory committee continues its work over the course of phase two, they should put guidelines for the group—such as how often they meet—in writing. 

Virgina Richardson said it would be acceptable to her to establish the advisory group for 10 years, and then reassess.

“There’s an opportunity for the park to help this whole city," Virginia Richardson said. "I’m really old and I’m tired of going to meetings—I still work full time—but this is important.”