Rodney Cook Sr. Park in Historic Vine City — Attraction in Atlanta

It took 20 years to build this park that was erected after hundreds of black families were flooded out of Vine City. Families that had lived in the neighborhood for over 100 years. This type of scenario is a pattern to take land from black people, force them to move and replace the land with Parks or Lakes so they can never return.

This ongoing Development Induced Displacement is the same thing that happened to black cities and neighborhoods like Oscarville, Georgia which is now Lake Lanier. Seneca Village and York Hill which are now Central Park and the Reservoir. Vanport, Oregon which is now Delta Park. Henry and McKee Island which is now Lake Gunthersville in Alabama. Kowlaliga, Alabama which is now Lake Martin. And the following were all historically black towns that are now all under water insuring black property owners never return. Henry Island, NY; Kennet, CA; Baird, CA; Elmora, CA; Morley, CA; Cebolla,CA; Sapinero,CA; Dillon, CO; Jerusalem, CT; Old Fairfield, IN; Round Valley, NJ; Warren, MD; Dana,MS; Enfield,MS; Prentis,MS; Greenwich, MS; Brown's Station, NY and Old Neversink, NY.

Now the supposed plan is to erect monuments on Cook Park of historic leaders of Vine City. But I ask you, what do the remaining black residents gain from a Park and Statues? Can they get jobs from it? Can they get education from it? Can they develop anything that will provide benefit to their lives now or in the future?

This is the affects of gentrification. Displacement, disturbance, building properties lower income people can not afford. Even out classing the middle class from moving in. Vine City was once the neighborhood of civil rights leaders Alonzo Herndon, Norris B. Herndon, WEB Dubois, Martin Luther King Jr., Maynard Jackson, Julian Bond and was represented by the Honorable John Lewis. None of these black people who fought until they died for the equality of black people would agree that this park serves anyone but those that wish to herd and drive blacks away from coveted land adjacent to downtown Atlanta.

If this city's intentions were right, they would have rebuilt the homes that were flooded and given them back to the residents that had...

A beautiful park w/ playground equipment, basketball courts, exercise equipment and water play area that operates during the hours of 8am- 8pm..The stature of John Lewis is nice, I didn't see his name engraved on it...maybe I over looked it...My five year old granddaughter was truly amazed with the appearance of the park. She esp. enjoyed riding her bike on the bridge over looking the water with boulders and rocks.. .She stated " I really had fun"... My main concern is safety...there were teens smoking drugs and consuming alcohol near the playground area..the pavilion was occupied with, adult individuals openly involved, in the consumption of drugs... It's a bad look for kids ...included pic of teen boys and girls rolling and smoking marijuana openly in park...parents please, find out where your teens are and w/ whom...and what...

I am still surprised this park exist , the scenery is tranquil and peaceful.The fact that there is a pond is also nice ,ohh and I can't forget about the waterfall.My 1st time going was with my boyfriend and we went at sunset.Walked around the park and took in the view of the sunsetting with the Atlanta Skyline & Mercedes Benz Stadium in the background.We did not take any pics yet it's always a nice view anytime of day

I took my daughter there recently and we played at the splash pad & on the playground too.The bathrooms was clean and the park has a nice basketball court, a tennis court as well as a waterfall. am very appreciative for this park especially so close to the city.

Next time I visit I Will take pictures. Great space to chill at and maybe have a few events...