The City of Elmira is located in Chemung County, New York, and according to a U.S. Census Bureau estimate in 2015, has a population estimated at 28,200. The park is located within the boundaries of Slabtown, a neighborhood founded in the 1840s by African Americans fleeing slavery on the Underground Railroad. Slabtown was demolished when the neighboring John W. Jones Court apartment building was constructed in the 1950s. After sitting vacant for years, the Jones Court building has been proposed as a redevelopment site as housing for veterans and low-income residents. The city is seeking a redesign of the park to continue to fuel interest and investment in the neighborhood. Ernie Davis (1939–63) was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest honor. Residing in Elmira during his teenage years, he got his start playing sports nearby at the Economic Opportunity Program (EOP). which now is located at the Ernie Davis Community Center adjacent to this site. Tragically, he was diagnosed with leukemia at age 23 and passed away before he had a chance to make his debut in professional football. A statue of Ernie Davis had previously been located at the neighboring school (now Finn Academy) but was moved to the city in 2016, a decision that the community strongly opposed.
The design elements incorporated in the plan include:
- Improved user experience with increased shade, seating, and a quarter-mile walking loop
- Strengthened pedestrian connections to neighboring sites through traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures
- Pavilion honoring the site’s connection to Slabtown by emulating slab-style architecture. The pavilion can double as a stage for events such as Elmira’s Juneteenth celebration, which is held annually on the site and draws 1,200 attendees
- A new Ernie Davis statue and additional commemorative elements, including opportunities for murals and interpretative signage
- Naturalistic, all-ages play structures to replace the existing deteriorating playground equipment
