The Emancipation Park Official Rededication Ceremony Presented by the City of Houston and the Emancipation Park Conservancy

When

June 17, 2017 | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

What

THE EMANCIPATION PARK CONSERVANCY AND CITY OF HOUSTON TO FORMALLY REDEDICATE THE HISTORIC EMANCIPATION PARK IN HOUSTON’S THIRD WARD
DURING JUNETEENTH WEEKEND
“Emancipation Park to re-open after $33.6 million in new construction and renovations”

(Houston, Texas) —- Today, City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Ramon Manning, Chairman of the Emancipation Park Conservancy Board of Directors, announced that the historic Emancipation Park will be formally rededicated on Saturday, June 17th starting at 10:00am with a high-profile, fun-filled and festive ceremony kicking off the Juneteenth weekend celebrations.

City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stated, “As we dedicate this historic site we celebrate the idea of freedom that inspired the founders to preserve the original 10 acres of land that we now call Emancipation Park. Their foresight shows us all that mighty ideas can shape the future. We could only hope to follow in their path and do good works that will live beyond our lifetimes.”

The Emancipation Park Conservancy Chairman of the Board Ramon Manning said, “This rededication ceremony has been a long time coming and we can’t be more thrilled to finally be making this historic park and green space destination available for all to enjoy. As the stewards of this community treasure, we, the Conservancy appreciate the commitment of our funding partners and the patience the community has demonstrated with this worthwhile initiative. Our unwavering desire is for Emancipation Park to serve as a vibrant community showpiece equipped with competent staffing and robust programming activities for the many constituencies we serve.”

Houston Parks and Recreation Department Interim Director Lisa Johnson declared, “We welcome everyone to the celebration and hope that the words CREATIVITY, OPPORTUNITY, LIBERATION and RELEASE inscribed on the gateway bring meaning to all that use the park. We thank all the partners who have made this project possible and look forward to the many events that will shape the future of this historic park.”

Emancipation Park, located at 3018 Emancipation Avenue in Houston’s Third Ward, is recognized as the oldest park site in the City of Houston. The parcel of land was originally purchased in 1872 for $800 by a group of former enslaved African-Americans for a place to organize and celebrate freedom.

Today, Emancipation Park, an 11.7 acre jewel located between Houston’s thriving central business district and the world renowned Texas Medical Center, is pressing forward after $33.6 million in new construction and renovations led by acclaimed African-American architect Phil Freelon.
In a case of design synergy, architect Phillip Freelon led the design teams responsible for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.

The park’s master plan now includes a state-of-the-art community and aquatics center; a new recreation center; off-site parking; multi-purpose space to accommodate gatherings of up to 3,000; enhancements to the outdoor experiences including picnic areas, a baseball field, tennis court, basketball court, play area and event, exhibition and performance space. The new Emancipation Park is certain to take its place among the nation’s most respected parks and green space destinations. Emancipation Park will serve as ground-zero for a variety of programs and activities serving all ages in the areas of education, health & wellness, history & culture, economic empowerment, environmental stewardship and families & communities. Emancipation Park will also host seminars, town hall meetings, conferences, concerts, plays, exhibitions and festivals for all to come and enjoy.

The emcees for the Emancipation Park Rededication Ceremony will be KHOU TV 11 (CBS) News Anchor Len Cannon and KTRK TV 13 (ABC) News Anchor Melanie Lawson. Featured speakers and invited guests include:

Mayor Sylvester Turner Rich and Nancy Kinder Commissioner Rodney Ellis
County Attorney Vince Ryan Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee State Senator Borris Miles
State Rep. Garnett Coleman Judge Zinetta Burney Architect Phillip Freelon
Ann B. Stern Winell Herron David Minceberg
Councilmember Mike Knox Councilmember David W. Robinson Councilmember Michael Kubosh
Councilmember Amanda Edwards Councilmember Jack Christie Councilmember Brenda Stardig
Councilmember Jerry Davis Councilmember Ellen Cohen Councilmember Dwight Boykins
Councilmember Dave Martin Councilmember Steve Le Councilmember Greg Travis
Councilmember Karla Cisneros Councilmember Robert Gallegos Councilmember Mike Laster
Councilmember Larry Green Deloyd Parker Dr. Austin Lane
Dr. Robert McGee City Controller Chris Brown Parks Director Joe Turner (Ret.)
A symbol of effective public/private partnerships, the new construction and renovations, as well as programming at Emancipation Park were financially supported by a committed group of well-known and highly respected public and private partners including the City of Houston, OST/Almeda Redevelopment Corridors-Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 7 (TIRZ#7), Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Houston Endowment, Brown Foundation, Kinder Foundation, Timken Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation and HEB.

For more information about the Emancipation Park rededication ceremony and Juneteenth celebration, please feel free to contact A. Travoye Jones at 832-434-9497 or email ajones@toyejonesinterests.com. You may also contact Estella Espinosa with Houston Parks and Recreation Department at 832-395-7022 or Estella.Espinosa@houstontx.gov.
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About Emancipation Park:
Emancipation Park is the oldest park site in the City of Houston. The parcel was originally purchased for $800 in 1872 by former enslaved African-Americans as a place to organize and celebrate freedom. Today, Emancipation Park, an 11.7 acre jewel located between Houston’s thriving central business district and the world renowned Texas Medical Center, is pressing forward after a $33.6 million in new construction and renovations project. Emancipation Park is managed and maintained by the Emancipation Park Conservancy under contract with the City of Houston. More at www.houstontx.gov/parks/emancipationpark

About Emancipation Park Conservancy:
The Emancipation Park Conservancy is a 501 (c) (3) organization with a mission of preserving, funding and protecting the rich cultural legacy of Emancipation Park. Under contract with the City of Houston, the Conservancy is responsible for providing strategic oversight and direction, and fundraising to support programs, services and activities, maintenance and operations, as well as managing food concessions. More at www.emancipationparkconservancy.org.

Houston Parks and Recreation Department:
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages over 37,851 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston and develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities. For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, call (832) 395-7022 or visit www.houstontx.gov/parks.