Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Project
To support the MLK Park Project and learn more go to mlkparkcorvallis.org
Current Status of Project
August 2022: The major fundraising campaign has begun! See the website for more details on the fundraising efforts at mlkparkcorvallis.org
July 2022: The City has contracted with The Arts Center to administer selection of artworks for the park, based on the Interpretive Design Plan and input from the Park Ambassadors.I
December 2021: the Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department established a team of seven community members to represent the project, called Project Ambassadors. The Ambassadors will assist city staff and landscape architects in detailed design decisions such as art selection and interpretive display content, as well as help garner community support and advocate for the project. The Ambassadors represent a wide range of backgrounds, including communities of color, people with disabilities, and multiple generations.
Fundraising Efforts
Supported by the Friends of Corvallis Parks and Recreation, a Fundraising Committee comprised of dedicated community volunteers will carry out a major capital fundraising campaign to help the City fund the park enhancement project. The Committee will seek major philanthropic gifts from individuals and corporations, as well as launch a public giving option for community giving and recognition. City staff will also be seeking grants from State and Federal Government programs, community foundations, and corporate sponsorships. To help build the project fund, please consider donating at www.mlkparkcorvallis.org/donate and designating it for “MLK Park”.
Background
Initiated in October 2017, the Parks & Recreation Department embarked on a master planning process to envision enhancements to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park that would serve to bring people together, foster an appreciation for nature and for each other, provide opportunities for recreation, and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The process was led by Jones and Jones Landscape Architects and involved a series of public engagement workshops and advisory committees. The process resulted in a final conceptual plan complete with gathering spaces, resource restoration, separate dog and children’s play areas, enhanced parking and restroom facilities, improved circulation and pathway system, and interpretation and artistic opportunities. The rough draft Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Master Plan Design Report was finalized and approved by the City Council in April 2019.
In an effort to further develop the concepts related to the interpretation and artistic elements, and to ensure proper recognition and acknowledgment of the historical context surrounding the trials and tribulations of the Civil Rights Movement and other social justice revolutions, the Interpretive Design Committee was created. This committee was comprised of community members with a specific emphasis on people who identify with historically marginalized communities of color. The success of this project is dependent upon challenging the past practices of community engagement and targeting the members within the community in which the park seeks to serve, as part of the planning process.
The Interpretive Design Committee developed a thorough draft of an Interpretive Design Plan that maximizes the opportunities as identified in the Master Plan as areas for interpretation, creative and artistic expression, symbolic architectural details, and educational and inspirational messages. The plan was presented to various community groups and received official endorsement from the NAACP of Albany/Corvallis and final approval from City Council on May 17, 2021. For current updated design and current status of the project go to mlkparkcorvallis.org/
Project Location: 4905 NW Walnut Blvd.
