by Shawn Nowlin
Simply wanting something to happen doesn’t mean that it will, especially if there are no strategy or solidarity efforts.
The neighborhood group, “Friends of Washington Park (FWP),” was created to advocate for the preservation of the park and the Evans House. On Sept. 27, they held a press conference in front of the 1837 home. All were encouraged to attend.
Also known as the Caretaker’s House, the home was dedicated for recreational use to the Black community in the 1900s during segregation. The house also served as a tavern and was vital to Civil Rights icon Rev. R.R. Wilkinson’s work in removing an undisclosed trash dump from the Black community.
Plans to demolish the Evans House and rebuild a pool in its place were approved by Roanoke City Council in May, but a pause has since been placed on the project.
FWP members passionately believe that a way needs to be figured out where new facilities can be brought to the community, while also preserving the home. Cathy Carter wouldn’t be against a community center.
Providing context to why the house is cherished by so many, she explained, “We are concerned that the city lacks a true understanding of what this house means to the community, Black community. If they did, we would see a much better-looking park. This area was dedicated when we had no place to have a recreational center. This house deserves to be preserved.”
Gregory Hunt, another group member said, “Simply put, this is Black history. This is our history, and we want to preserve it.”
The Washington Park Pool near Lincoln Terrace Elementary was demolished two years ago, and cannot be rebuilt in the same location due to a discovered landfill underneath it.
In a publicly released statement, Director of Roanoke Parks & Rec. Michael Clark said, “We are currently in the contracting phase of pool design and development for Washington Park. As directed by City Council, we’ve halted demolition of the house while design of the pool progresses to the point of determining whether or not the design necessitates removal of the house. In the meantime, the house has been rewrapped to protect the exposed areas from the weather and further degradation. We will soon have a better sense of a timeline and next steps for the park
