Photo Credit: Springfield Park District Official Facebook Page
Springfield's Douglas Park is named after US Senator Stephen Douglas. Douglas, who was known as the Little Giant here in Illinois, managed a 2500 acres Mississippi plantation his wife had inherited,debated Abraham Lincoln... and owned over 100 slaves.
Springfield Park Board Trustee Lisa Badger has proposed changing the park to be named after Frederick Douglass, an African-American orator, author and abolitionist, after hearing from various local groups about changing the name and after Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan strongly suggested images of Douglas be removed from the Statehouse and its grounds.
Park Board President Leslie Sgro, who is in favor of the name change, said the matter will be taken up at a meeting this Wednesday (August 12) at 5:30 p.m. at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park. It is anticipated that community members will be present at the meeting to share their views in support of the name change.
Source: SJR
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