Davenport, IA – Across the country, more than 1,000 communities have streets named after the late Martin Luther King, Jr., the civil rights leader slain in 1968.
An untold number also have parks, schools or bridges named after King. But until two weeks ago, the city of Davenport was NOT on that list.
The new MLK Park at 501 Brady St. is 10 years in the making.
Since Juneteenth of this year, that’s different. Thanks to a 10-year effort by Quad Cities civil rights leaders and $1.3 million provided by corporations, donors, and city and county entities, the new MLK Park opened June 19 (Juneteenth).
The MLK Park’s location at 501 Brady St., right next to the MLK Interpretive Center, is just a few blocks from where King made his only Quad Cities appearance in 1965, a transcript of which you can read can read here. The new park also marks an area of Davenport that was once home to many Black-owned businesses.
The park is a tribute to not only King, but also Davenport’s civil rights history. It features plaques to commemorate pivotal people and spots in the pursuit of civil rights for Blacks and People of Color in the Quad Cities’ largest city.
Community leaders cut the ribbon on the new MLK Park June 19.
“It feels good to have my name posted, and I am thankful for it,” said Lysanias A. Broyles, one of those honored by a plaque. “There were others that I worked with, and now they all have died… They should also be up there as well.
The nonprofit Friends of MLK started raising money for the park in 2013, under the guidance of Ryan A. Saddler, who led the June 19 dedication.
Enjoy the MLK Park dedication Photo Gallery here.
The area was once home to many Black-owned businesses, and is only blocks away from where King made his only Quad Cities visit in 1965. Prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the area had been derisively referred to as “Africa Row,” “Darktown Row,” and “Ethiopia,” says the Friends of MLK website.
A sample of the other locations and people honored with the plaques in the park include:
– St. Anthony’s Church and Parish, one of Davenport’s oldest places of worship and site of a 1963 march for civil rights
– Cook’s Point where many Latino residents first relocated to Davenport decades ago
– the former home of the late Charles Toney, considered the founder of civil rights in Davenport
Honoring MLK and local civl rights leaders are just two of the goals with the park, writes Friends of MLK. The organization also hopes the park will “encourage active lifestyles,” help reduce anxiety and depression in the area, “foster a sense of community,” and help attract residents and businesses to the area.
In addition, FOMLK writes, “City parks help clean the air and improve public health by filtering rain, reducing water pollution and helping cool our cities.
Many of those who attended the June 19 ceremony said they appreciated its effort to focus on civil rights. More specifically, said attendee Sharita Couch, “the MLK Park gives me an opportunity to see Black history in our community.”
See a photo gallery of this event here.
See the MLK Park dedication photo gallery here.
Speakers at the event included the following government and community leaders:
• Saddler, associate vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at St. Ambrose University
• Michael Guster, head of Metrocom NAACP
• Jabari Woods, director of equity and diversity at Davenport Community Schools
• Amos Johnson, football coach at Davenport West High
• Randy Moore of Iowa-American Water
• Linda Andry of Ascentra Credit Union
• Mike Cole and Chad Manternach of the Scott County Regional Authority
• current Mayor Mike Matson
• former mayor Bill Gluba
• Bruce Berger, head of economic development for the city of Davenport
• Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership
While speakers paid tribute to King and local civil rights leaders, staff members from Davenport’s Putnam Museum guided youngsters in games of cornhole, giant Jenga, a ring toss, and more. Putnam also collaborated with the community to create a civil rights walking tour on which the plagues are based. The museum incorporated much of the information into its revitalized Common Ground exhibit that helps flesh out the area’s history with more diverse artifacts and displays.
The MLK Park dedication included a remembrance of Martin Luther King by Bishop Jimmie R. Horton, of Davenport’s Gospel Mission Temple. The Gospel Soul Revivers, a vocal group that performs gospel and soul throughout the Quad Cities, closed out the event. Rising vocalist CJ Parker also performed.
(Mike Pace and Christine Hawes contributed to this story. All photos by Mike Pace)
