Closure of park in Black community angers residents

CARTHAGE, Miss. (WLBT) – Carthage residents are fighting for the re-opening of a nearly 60 year old park that they say serves the Black community.

According to officials, the park is only closed while the city and school district work out a new contract.

For two months and during the peak of summer, Frank L. Matlock Park in Carthage has remained closed and concerned citizens want to know why both children and adults do not have access to the only park in the African American community.

Frank L. Matlock Park first opened in 1967 and sits on 26 and a half acres within the mostly Black section of West Carthage.

The park has a basketball court, community center, and three pavilions.

According to those who live in the area, residents pay a 2% tax for its upkeep and they believe it is targeted because it is in the Black community.

“McMillan and Matlock Park – one is known as the white park and this is known as the Black park. And this is the only avenue that our children have where they can come and do extracurricular activities,” said Bulus Leflore Jr., a spokesman for the Concerned Citizens of Carthage. “When they go to the McMillan Park, our kids are harassed.”

Residents said it costs about $100,000 each year to operate the park.

A former mayor of Carthage blames the current city administration for the park’s closure.

“We want fair treatment. We want to get what’s ours,” Mary Ann Vivians said. “In 2022, we renovated this park. It started with the first time she got in office, she took away our part-time park director. Then we had a committee: Matlock Park Committee. She dissolved that. So, everything has been against the park.”

Gage Hunter, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Carthage, said the park – which is owned by the Leake County School District – is temporarily closed due to the lease agreement expiring and that there are dying trees on the property.

Interim Superintendent Will Russell said the board denied a revised lease proposal and a new proposal is currently being negotiated.

Russell said he would be meeting with Mayor Laurie Henderson on Thursday regarding Frank L. Matlock Park.

Carthage residents say they will continue to fight for its re-opening.

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