Champaign Park District has announced that a mural will be painted on the basketball courts in Douglass Park. The painting process will begin on May 13th and extend through May 29th, during which time the basketball courts will be closed.
The mural, designed by artist Ryan Adams, is part of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. The design uses Adams’s signature geometric style and will include the words “Unite, do right” to commemorate Frederick Douglass’s inspiring words, “I would unite with anybody to do right, and with nobody to do wrong.”
Adams is a muralist based in Portland, Maine. Inspired by traditional graffiti, he developed his signature art style that uses bold colors and geometric imagery, usually mixed with cultural statements.
Sarah Sandquist
Champaign Park District Executive DirectorExperience Champaign-Urbana
A dedication for the new mural will take place during this year’s Juneteenth celebration on June 14.
While the Douglass Park basketball courts are closed, patrons are encouraged to utilize the nearby courts in Wesley Park, located at 915 N Third St. We will also offer free adult (18+) open gym at Douglass Community Center from 1 – 2:30pm on the following days during the outdoor court closure:
- Tuesday, May 13
- Wednesday, May 14
- Wednesday, May 21
- Thursday, May 22
ABOUT THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL
The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail is a community-led initiative to celebrate the lives and contributions of African Americans in the Champaign County area. For more information about the trail, visit: https://ccafricanamericanheritage.org/
For details about the history of Douglass Park, visit: https://champaignparks.org/douglass-park-history-frederick-douglass/
