Council dedicates three downtown lots to Labor Park, formally names Selma Rankin Community Garden

The Monroe City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to dedicate three parcels of downtown property to Labor Park and to formally recognize the Selma Rankin Community Garden by name.

City Manager David Robinson said the city purchased the parcels around 2018 when Second Street was extended into the area and that two of those parcels now house the community garden. "The intention was, is we'd like that was supposed to be part of Labor Park. And that's never been officially dedicated as portions of actual park property," Robinson said, explaining the action would protect the land under provisions in the city charter that require a public vote to decommission parkland.

Robinson told the council the city followed its naming policy and that the Board of Ethics unanimously recommended the naming at its December 5, 2024, meeting. The parcels are listed in the council materials as 1102 East Second, 110 East Second Street and 1114 East Second; the resolution incorporates those lots into Labor Park for park-plan and funding purposes.

Councilman Hayter moved the resolution; Councilman Stilgrave seconded. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from all members present: Hader, Stilgrave, Vining, Jermaine, Felder and Mayor Clark.

The manager said recognizing the parcels as parkland will ensure they are administered under the parks and recreation master plan and will protect them from being repurposed without voter approval. He also thanked those who applied and volunteers who have maintained the community garden.

The resolution does not allocate new funding in the motion; it establishes the legal status and the park-plan designation needed for future planning and possible funding requests.

Votes at a glance: Resolution to dedicate properties to Labor Park and to recognize the Selma Rankin Community Garden — mover: Councilman Hayter; seconder: Councilman Stilgrave; outcome: approved (6–0).