Council committee forwards naming of 43 Hempstead Street as Adam Jackson Black Heritage Memorial Park

A committee vote moved forward a resolution to name the park at 43 Hempstead Street the Adam Jackson Black Heritage Memorial Park, citing historical records and community support.

Donna Bailey, co‑chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, asked the committee to accept the proposed name and described work by the commission to document Adam Jackson’s life and the neighborhood’s ties to that history. “I would like to thank you all and would ask for your acceptance of the naming of the Hempstead Street Park as the Adam Jackson Memorial Park,” Bailey told the committee, urging members to “take that into consideration and do name it in his honor.”

Committee members heard the full resolution (051826-01), which traces Adam Jackson’s life and labor in colonial New London, notes documentary material such as the Hemstead/Hempstead family diary and describes the park as a space for reflection and education about the city’s history of enslavement. After brief comments confirming the Park and Recreation Commission’s vote in favor and that the co‑chair, Donna Bailey, had submitted a letter of support, a council member moved the resolution forward to the full council. The committee’s vote to refer the item was unanimous.

The council later adopted the resolution in the evening session by roll call. Supporters said the naming will create a public place to acknowledge local history and provide a setting for education and community remembrance; a few speakers at the committee and council meetings also urged the city to continue addressing vandalism and maintenance issues at its parks.

The council will oversee final signage and implementation details as the site is prepared for public use.