By Michael McIntosh and Maggie Longest
The Town of Ashland recently announced plans to develop a heritage park in the Berkleytown neighborhood, an area of Ashland that is home to many generations of African American families. The park will provide a public and easily accessible green space for residents and visitors, while also celebrating the neighborhood’s history as an important and influential center of the Black community in Ashland.
“We are so grateful to the Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity for their generous donation of the property to the Town for use as a public park, and to the Hanover County Black Heritage Society for suggesting the idea,” explained Martha J. Miller, Community Engagement Manager for the Town of Ashland. “As a next step, the Town will hold a series of public input meetings in February and March with neighborhood residents and community stakeholders to inform and guide our decision-making around the park’s design.”
During segregation, Berkleytown became one of few areas in Hanover County where African American residents could own property and build a community. Lifelong Berkleytown resident NaChay Grimes sees the advent of the Heritage Park as a positive opportunity for the community. “I want the park to emphasize the impact Berkleytown had on the Black community of Ashland. And I think it will be good for more people to be aware of Berkleytown and our community’s history.”
This sentiment is echoed by Carolyn Hemphill of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society. “We are also working to have Berkleytown approved as a Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register. So, there are many opportunities to use this Heritage Park to educate the broader Ashland community.” While the neighborhood is diversifying in modern times, Hemphill believes that a heritage park will allow the Black heritage of Berkleytown to live on.
To learn more about the Berkleytown Heritage Park development process or to share your comments, attend the upcoming Public Input Meeting on February 28th from 6-7pm at the Pride of Hanover Lodge (311 Berkley St); a virtual participation option will also be made available via ashlandva.gov.