“Two baseball or softball fields!?” someone shouts as we approach Jessie Owens Park. This park in River Ridge, Louisiana offers outdoor recreation. It also focuses on nature preservation. Jessie Owens Park is a public space. The River Ridge Parks Department maintains it.
Jessie Owens Park houses JPRD youth sports. The facility boasts a newly renovated baseball field. It also has meeting rooms. A state-of-the-art kitchen is available. Jessie Owens Park offers a range of amenities. These include a gym and rentals. You can find a tot lot. A walking track is present.
Now, let’s talk about the namesake of Jessie Owens Park. Sixty years later, thousands honored Jesse Owens. They dedicated a park in his name. This happened on June 29, 1996. The Olympic torch arrived. It was on its way to the Atlanta games. Jesse Owens Memorial Park is a tribute to the Olympic track and field superstar.
The park in Oakville, Alabama, showcases memorials for Owens. There is a museum. A statue stands tall. You will find a 1936 torch replica. A replica of his birth home exists. An oak tree is there. It is of the same variety as Owens’ gold medal tree. The goal is to honor Owens’ life. It also recognizes his accomplishments.
The park invests in the community. It mirrors Owens’ dedication to youth. The park offers facilities for community use. A basketball court is available. Baseball and softball fields are present. There is a playground. You will find picnic tables and pavilions. Park Directors hope to build an Olympic-size track. This would allow them to sponsor youth competitions. These would model the ARCO or Jesse Owens games.
The museum immortalizes Owens’ memory. It depicts moments that made Owens great. It portrays the people who shaped him. Glass display cases showcase rare memorabilia. Programs from the 1936 Olympics are displayed. Replicas of track uniforms and shoes can be viewed. Medals and trophies from Owens’ high school days are there. Interactive kiosks highlight Owens’ life. They show his athletic achievements. They also feature his humanitarian contributions.
The museum houses a mini-theater. It shows Bud Greenspan’s 1966 film “Return to Berlin.” Greenspan takes Jesse back to Berlin. They visit the Olympic stadium. Jesse narrates his experiences. This movie captivates visitors.
The museum offers The Decatur Daily Resource Center. It has computers, printers, and internet access. A library provides magazine and newspaper articles. Visitors can research Jesse Owens’ life.
A gift shop is located inside the museum. It offers souvenirs and educational materials. Books and DVDs about Jesse Owens’ life are available. You can purchase Jesse Owens Museum logo clothing. Whistles, lanyards, pencils and caps can be bought.
Remember Jesse Owens when you visit this park. Consider the park in Alabama that bears his full name. Jessie Owens Park is more than a playground. It’s a place where the spirit of an Olympian lives on.