Paul Laurence Dunbar Statue Unveiled at Dunbar Park

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, September 10, 2014

On September 6, 2014 at Dunbar Park, 200 E. 31st St., a six-foot statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the park’s namesake and one of the first critically acclaimed and nationally recognized African American writers and poets in the United States, was unveiled.
On September 6, 2014 at Dunbar Park, 200 E. 31st St., a six-foot statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the park’s namesake and one of the first critically acclaimed and nationally recognized African American writers and poets in the United States, was unveiled.

On September 6, 2014 at Dunbar Park, 200 E. 31st St. in Chicago, a six-foot statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the park’s namesake and one of the first critically acclaimed and nationally recognized African American writers and poets in the United States, was unveiled.

The creation of the statue was commissioned by the Chicago Park District and The Friends of Dunbar Park (TFDP), a local community organization that strives to benefit the community surrounding Dunbar Park.

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Sculptor Deborah Hand (far left) spoke at Dunbar Park, 200 E. 31st St., before the unveiling of her Paul Laurence Dunbar statute on September 6, 2014. Hand, who became very emotional while speaking, was flanked by 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, 1st Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti, and Ill. State Sen. Mattie Hunter (Dist.-3) and several others.

In March 2012, Deborah Hand, who was assisted by her son, Brian, was selected to create and complete the statue. According to Mr. Hand, they were selected after submitting an application as part of an open call for artists.

“My inspiration was just to make sure that there was an image of an African American historic icon in the park in the City of Chicago,” said Deborah Hand. “I just hope that young African Americans can see an image of themselves and know that they are being celebrated by the City of Chicago in the greatest way that you can be celebrated, a bronze monument.”

Mr. Hand estimates that the statue of Dunbar weighs between two to three tons, cost an estimated $80,000 in materials to create, stands a total of nine feet tall when mounted on a granite slab, and was completed in about 20 months.

Creation of the statue completes phase one of a three phase plan initiated by TFDP that began in 2006 to improve the quality of Dunbar Park, according to TFDP vice president Leonard McGee.

“Phase II & III involve improving the north end of the park, our long term goal is to have an indoor ice-skating rink on the north end of the park. That’s a long-term dream, that’s a part of building a better community,” said McGee.

McGee cited former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, who spoke briefly at the unveiling event, among several key contributors to the creation of the statue. McGee also told The Chicago Citizen Newspaper that part of the funding for the statue came from TIF funds.

“This is a celebration; from where I sit strong parks build strong communities, strong communities build strong neighborhoods, strong neighborhoods build a strong city, it’s really that simple,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Mike Kelly. “This is your park, not the park district’s park, this is the community’s park,” said Kelly.

Born on June 27, 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, to two former slaves, Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first national recognized African American poets in the United States of America. Dunbar’s use of African American dialect in his poetry propelled him to wide-spread acclaim before his death on February 9, 1906.

The Chicago Park District owns more than 8,100 acres of green space, making it one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation. The Chicago Park District’s 580 parks offer thousands of sports and physical activities as well as cultural and environmental programs for youth, adults, and seniors and is also responsible for 26 indoor pools, 51 outdoor pools, and 26 miles of lakefront including 23 swimming beaches plus one inland beach.

For more information visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/.

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