Letter to the Editor: ‘Our parks should not become political, race-related objects’
Audubon Park was named after John James Audubon (1785-1851). (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Letters to the Editor
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In response to your recent guest column, “Opinion: We must rename Audubon Park,” my concern is that many residents in our city and county feel the need to rename historic parks. The recent guest column suggests that we should change the name of Audubon Park since John James Audubon owned 9 slaves. DeCosta-Willis Park was mentioned as a new name.
Audubon Park was named after John James Audubon (1785-1851), as were many parks in our country, including the huge Audubon Park in New Orleans. Audubon was a highly gifted artist and well known for his beautiful watercolor paintings of birds. He was also a naturalist, ornithologist and — less known 172 years later — an owner of nine slaves, according to records.
I grew up in the Sherwood Elementary area until I married in 1976. Audubon was our treasured neighborhood park. We loved it there and frequently spent time there playing on the big playground, including the ultra tall slide, and enjoying picnics, ball games, fishing, golfing and playing at the lake. We still go there.
I have never heard anyone associate the name Audubon with racism. Our parks should not become political, race-related objects! How many taxpayers’ dollars are paid for unnecessary, renamed street signs and new park signs? This money could be put to better use for the continued restoration of parks, potholed roads, crime reduction, helping the homeless and those who cannot afford utilities and food.
Anita Price
Germantown
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