The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Partners for Parks celebrated the 100th anniversary of Romare Bearden’s birthday on September 2nd with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The Romare Bearden Park in the Third Ward section of uptown Charlotte is one step closer to reality. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday morning at the corner of Third and Church streets to celebrate the life and legacy of the hometown artist, and to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Festivities included a performance by the St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church choir, a dramatic reading of the play “Romare Bearden 1911-1988” by poet and playwright Ruth E. Sloane, and the unveiling of the new Romare Bearden stamp collection.
Elected officials including Mecklenburg County Commissioner Chairman Jennifer Roberts and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx shared their thoughts on Bearden and significance of the new namesake park.
“It will be a wonderful place in uptown for people to play, and to have that kind of gathering place to keep our community strong,” said Roberts.
