The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-07-12
FRIDAY, JULY t2, 1912.
Hadley Park Dedication.


On July 4th the Park Commission
ers of Nashville and the Mayor dedi-
Gated to the Negroes of this city a
34-acre plot of land situated in
the northwest section of the city to
be known as Had'ey Park The
weather was inclement; but despite
this a representative crowd assem-
bled to witness the dedication.
The ceremony was simple. and it
might be said, informa as the park,
in reality was not turned over TO
the people other than for their use
as city reservation; for. as was
made clear by Major P. F. McWhir
ter, the park viii be governed by
the Commission, under the same
rules and regulation as other city
parks. 1t was dedicated to the col
ored people because it was purchase
for their specific use. This was not
done because of any law prohibiting
anyone of whatever race or color
from visiting any city park. We have
no such laws in this city; bur from
the time Nashville inaugurated the
park system her Negro citizenship
has never visited. OF shown any
desire to visit, the public city parks.
When asked why they did not visit
them they invariably replied: we do
not care TO-" So the idea gained
some prominence that Negroes did
not appreciate parks. But a few
years ago when Rev Preston Taylor
purchased large tract of land south
of the city and established Green
wood Park, the colored people flock
ed out there by the thousands. For
time the distance from the end OF
the car line to the park gate was full
ly mile, but this did not daunt the
Negroes; they went on just the same,
through the dust, lodging automo-
biles-amusing themselves at the
boys chunking stones at the birds
and frogs or whatever came in their
view-they made their way to Green
wood Park, which in the beginning
was nothing more than a big field,
but it was named park" and it
was removed from the congested
city, and afforded an opportunity to
get breath of fresh air and a cup
of pure, sparkling water This Gag
erness attracted the attention of the
Park Commissioners and other lead.
ing citizens as well. Mayor Howse
became deeply interested in the sub
sct and he, with others, set to
work to put into a reality their senti
ments. The results of the effort is the
existence of HadIey Park, the dedica
ton of which on our Nations birth
day marked new epoch in the his
tory Of this city, and stamps Nash
vile as the most progressive of al
cities in this Southland
Mr.. Ben Carr must not be forgot
N when Hadley Park is being dis
used For, while there are some o
our men who want the credit nov
at the park is reality, it mus
be admitted that without the cease
less efforts of Mr. Carr this parl
would not be a reality now. We d.
not say it never would have been
but since it is conceded to be jus
and right to give credit to whom cred
it is due, everyone, regardless o
their wishes in the matter, must Civ
the credit for the hasty elimination
of the project to establish a par
for the Negroes to Mr.. Benz j. Carr
recently of Huntsville, Tenn. bu
Tut now one Of the foremost me
in the city of Nashville. One speal
or on the occasion of the dedicatio
said: "What care we whether Be
Carr has perfect control of his verb
or not, he is bringing things to pass
and that is what we want. Hi
heart goes out for his people, an
20 long as he is working that hi
r,llowmen may be benefited, all hoi
c. and praise to him, and his nam
viii live forever in the hearts of hi
countrymen." Speaking further, tn
same gentleman said: 81 perceiv