Frederick Douglass Memorial Park Landmark Preservation Hearing: CM Hanks Testifies At Hearing

FREDRICK DOUGLASS MEMORIAL PARK HEARING AT LANDMARKS

Editor’s note: Readers may remember our coverage of the potential official admission of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth to the union.  

From the Memorial park’s website: “Historic Frederick Douglass Memorial Park Inc., established in 1935, has recently undergone a total restoration. New York City’s only African American cemetery is located in the Oakwood Heights neighborhood of Staten Island and features rolling hills and a magnificent, serene park-like setting.”

Council Member Kamillah Hanks delivered a compelling testimony advocating for the landmark status of Frederick Douglass Memorial Park. This historic park, located in Staten Island’s Oakwood Heights neighborhood, was founded in 1933 to provide a dignified final resting place for African Americans, free from the discrimination prevalent at the time.

Frederick Douglass Memorial Park spans 14 acres and is the final resting place for notable figures such as jazz singer Mamie Smith, trumpeter Tommy Ladnier, and baseball player Sol White. It stands as a powerful reminder of the struggles and achievements of the African American community in New York City.

In her testimony, Council Member Hanks emphasized the importance of preserving this significant site to ensure future generations recognize and honor the contributions of African Americans to the city’s rich history.

She stated, “A landmark status will provide the necessary support and resources to maintain and enhance the park, allowing it to continue serving as a place of reflection, remembrance, and celebration of African American heritage.”

Banner Image: Landmark preservation meeting. Image Credit – CM Hanks

Councilmember Kamillah Hanks

Kamillah M. Hanks is a native Staten Islander and proud mother of four who has been a leader and advocate for smart growth and positive economic development in the North Shore of Staten Island for nearly two decades. Kamillah studied marketing and finance at the College of Staten Island, and has over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors