National Register Nomination Presentation

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The Raleigh Historic Development Commission and the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department have hired Hanbury Preservation Consulting to research and assemble an application to the National Park Service for John Chavis Memorial Park to be considered for the National Register of Historic Places.

Mary Ruffin Hanbury made presentation on the National Register nomination for John Chavis Memorial Park on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at John Chavis Community Center (505 MLK Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, 27601).

Please click here to download a copy of the presentation.

City Council Approves Revised Master Plan!!

On May 20, the Raleigh City Council approved the revised master plan for John Chavis Memorial Park! Read more here. Download a copy of the plan here.

The revised master plan reflects the dedication and hard work of the Public Leadership Group. This effort came out of the passion and commitment of the community to John Chavis Memorial Park, specifically the members of the Central CAC and South Park-East Raleigh Neighborhood Association that have long advocated for improvements to JCMP.

A copy of the City Council presentation can be downloaded here.

Revised Master Plan Presentation

On March 20, the Chavis Park Community Conversation Public Leadership Group gave a presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board (PRGAB)on the Revised Master Plan for John Chavis Memorial Park. During the April 17th meeting, the PRGAG recommended that City Council adopt the Revised Master Plan.

To learn more about upcoming presentations and to review the revised master plan, please click here!

Draft Master Plan is Available for Review

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The DRAFT John Chavis Memorial Park Revised Master Plan is available for review! To download a copy of the draft report, please click here. The file is 14MB and may a take a few minutes to download.

Your comments matter! Please share your comments by December 17, 2013. Comments can be posted online below or submitted to:

Emily Ander
Park Planner
City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department
(919) 996-4796
Emily.Ander@RaleighNC.gov

In the news:
Midtown Raleigh News article

 

Public Forum on December 10

Please attend the Chavis Park Community Conversation Public Forum!
Members of the Public Leadership Group welcome the public to attend the forum to review and comment on the Draft Park Master Plan. Draft Master Plan is available to download here. The forum will include interactive stations and activities for children.

Date: December 10, 2013
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: John Chavis Community Center, 505 MLK Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27601

75th Anniversary Celebration of John Chavis Memorial Park

John Chavis Memorial Park is 75 years old! Come celebrate this historic anniversary with us!
All events are FREE and open to the public. Download flyer here!

Click here to read an article about the event.

Videos of the Soul Train Line are available on YouTube here and here!
Please click here to view Raleigh TV Network footage.

Photos from the celebration!

Event Schedule

Friday, September 27

Reception Honoring John Chavis and the History of John Chavis Memorial Park: 5:30-6:15pm

  • Master of Ceremonies Venessa Harrison, President of AT&T North Carolina 
  • Remarks by Dr. Helen Chavis Othow, author of John Chavis – African American Patriot, Preacher, Teacher and Mentor (1763-1838)
  • Remarks by Representative Yvonne Lewis Holley, NC House District 38
  • Performance by Miss Symone Spencer
  • Light refreshments

Live Music in the Park: 6:15-10:30pm

  • Food trucks will be on site for food purchase
  • Music Lineup coming soon!

Saturday, September 28

Rediscover John Chavis Memorial Park Community Celebration: Noon – 4:00pm

  • Games and Activities
  • Free carousel rides
  • Inflatables
  • Live broadcast by WSHA
  • Food trucks will be on site for food purchase.
  • On-site, free financial education and credit reports from DHIC, Inc.

Historical Scavenger Hunt in the Park: 1:00-3:00pm

  • A great way for families to play together and learn about the history of this park

Soul Train Dance Line!: 3:30pm

  • Help us attempt to break the World Record for the Longest Soul Train Dance Line
  • Join us at the track for this event. 
  • We need 292 participants to break the World Record.

Grand Re-opening of the Historic Carousel, April 20

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Celebrate the restoration and grand re-opening of the Allan Herschell Carousel in its new location within John Chavis Memorial Park. The dedication will be held Saturday, April 20 from 2-4pm. The dedication ceremony will begin at 2pm and will be followed by music, activities, and an opportunity to provide input on the vision and future of Chavis Park. 
 
Members of the Public Leadership Group for the Chavis Park Community Conversation invite you to stop by and share your input on the vision for the park. 
 
More information about the event: 
http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/news/content/CorNews/Articles/PRecChavisCarouselDedication.html

John Chavis Memorial Park Proclamation

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The March 19, 2013 City Council Meeting falls 75 years to the date of when the Raleigh Board of Commissioners (now City Council) dedicated the park as the John Chavis Memorial Park. Mayor McFarlane read a Proclamation at the Council meeting reaffirming this as the park name “as a tribute to the memory of educator John Chavis, and said park shall always hereafter be so known and designated”.

Watch a video of the City Council meeting here.
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PLG Members Vivian Lee, Joseph Ellerbee and Jacqueline Howell attended the reading of the Proclamation at the City Council Meeting. 

Exciting events at Chavis Park

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Chavis Park is hosting its first ArtFest event on Saturday, May 18th from 11-2 pm. Activities include art exhibits, created by after-school staff, as well as stations for the entire family to make and participate in art activities.
Community Concerts series kicks off with the Philharmonic Youth Ensemble on Friday, March 8th from 6:30- 8 pm. The Philharmonic Youth Brass Quintet provided a mini-concert during the after school program on Wednesday, February 27th. (4:30-5:30pm).

For more information, call the main office: 919-831-6989