Allentown council approves renaming of Vilania Park amid calls for better board consultation

Allentown City Council on Monday moved and passed Resolution R127 to rename Vilania Park, located at South Sixth Street and Union Street, in memory of Claude Boscotte Sr.

Council considered the resolution at the start of the meeting after the council president moved to suspend the rules and take R127 up first. Councilmembers voted to adopt the resolution; council staff indicated the vote was unanimous.

Supporters and family friends of Boscotte urged the council to adopt the dedication as a recognition of his decades of community work. "He was such a pillar in our community," said Miss Melrose, adding that Boscotte taught many young people barbering trades and "leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and entrepreneurship." Pastors, longtime neighborhood residents and community organizers echoed that praise; Pastor Benjamin T. Haley Sr. of Union Baptist Church said Boscotte served migrant workers and trained barbers from Easton to Allentown.

At the same time, Becky Kiss, speaking on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission, told council that the commission "adamantly opposed the renaming of the park" because the commission had not been consulted or involved and because promised historical signage for the park renovations has not been installed. Kiss said the board learned of the renaming only shortly before the council meeting and that the community had been promised signage "as part of the renovations" that remains missing.

Councilmembers and community speakers framed both positions as compatible. "All three things can be true at the same time," said Councilmember Gerlach, noting that the commission's concerns about process and the community's desire to honor Boscotte do not conflict. Several councilmembers urged follow-through on the signage and on language for plaques to ensure historical accuracy. Pat Simpson, who said he began the effort to honor Boscotte while he was still alive, urged council not to delay the dedication over procedural questions.

City staff and council said the naming of city assets is governed by city code and that nominations typically begin with a petition or letter to council; Mike Hanlon, city clerk, and other council members described the process as initiated by a community letter forwarded to council and then acted on by unanimous council support. Council also announced a public unveiling planned for the next day at noon and made a physical sign available for photos after the meeting.

The resolution text introduced at the meeting referred to "Claude Boscotte Sr." while many public speakers referred to him as "Clyde" or used variant spellings of his surname; council discussion recorded both the resolution name and the community usage. Several speakers asked that the language on any plaques or historical markers be reviewed by long-time neighborhood residents to ensure accuracy and completeness.

The action is recorded as a formal council resolution (R127) and was adopted. Councilmembers who spoke in the discussion included Mayor Matt Turk, Councilmember Gerlach, Councilmember Mota, Councilmember Napoli and Councilmember Kevin Hendricks; community speakers included Becky Kiss (Parks & Recreation Commission), Pastor Benjamin T. Haley Sr., Pat Simpson, Barbara Redmond (Improving Lives), Karen Ocasio and others.

A ceremonial sign will be unveiled at the park at noon the following day, and council members said they will follow up with the Parks and Recreation Commission about placement and wording of historical signage.