New Overtown Square Park honors Sarasota’s historic Black neighborhood

A new Sarasota park is open in the city's original Black community of Overtown. The new park was unveiled recently on Central Avenue, between 5th Way and Boulevard of the Arts, and was named Overtown Square, a nod to the rich history of Black residents and workers who first lived in what is now called the Rosemary Arts District.

The park opening was a collaborative effort between the city, the engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Rosemary Arts District organization leaders. The space was transformed from an empty grass lot to a central location for residents and guests to enjoy the evolving Rosemary District. The design at the new Overtown Square Park includes manicured vegetation, shaded sitting areas, artistic benches and a widened green space.

Overtown Square drew a large crowd of supporters for its official ribbon cutting and 100 guests were given a unique park keepsake as part of the unveiling ceremony. Sarasota's first Black Mayor Fredd Atkins said he was happy to see the park concept come to fruition.

"I thought creating a green space for a park is always appropriate," Atkins said. "This is the old Chadwick Grocery Store and Walt's Fish Market ... I lived right around the corner. I know this land very vividly and it makes me feel so good. They did a fantastic job of preserving this space for a park."

Rosemary District Association board chair Anand Pallegar explained that the park was a longtime community goal, that with planning and patience, the stakeholders were able to accomplish.

"Overtown Square represents the culmination of years of collaboration between the Rosemary District and the city of Sarasota. It’s a tribute to the rich history of Sarasota’s first Black neighborhood, Overtown, and what we hope becomes a model for park development in the future," Pallegar said.

"The addition of Overtown Square cements the Rosemary Art & Design District as the greatest neighborhood to live, work, play, learn and connect and serves as a testament to what can be achieved by working together across the community."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New Overtown Square Park honors Sarasota’s historic Black neighborhood