One thing we absolutely love about living here: you think you’re just attending a new park’s ribbon cutting ceremony, but you’re also getting a beautiful lesson about the community’s Black history.
Shiloh Park, whose renovation we commemorated last week, is situated in the historic Shiloh community, next to Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. The historic landmark there states:
“Shiloh, a rural community of free African Americans and slaves, developed in the Cedar Fork Township in the late 1820’s. By 1870, Shiloh was a self-sufficient community with a public school, co-op store, midwives, recreation center and church. Rev. James Dunston, the third pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, was instrumental in securing land ownership, education, and economic development for the residents of Shiloh. This thriving community, home to over 57 farmers on property extending from the Durham County line to south of McCrimmon Parkway, was annexed into the town of Morrisville. NC in 1987.”
So much of our parks history IS Black history.
A few logistics about the park:
* A relatively small park with a few play structures that are mostly better for bigger kids.
* The playground has the squishy, accessible ground.
* Bathrooms right next to the playground.
* Repaved basketball court with lighting.
* New shelter with picnic tables.
* Fields, including 2 for cricket, and a batting cage.
* Medium amount of parking.
* Train tracks are just beyond the trees at this park - you’d have to walk through some woodsy area before you’re on the tracks, but just something to consider. The trains might startle younger kids, but could also be great for kids who love trains. One went by while we were at the ribbon cutting.
Thank you to Town of Morrisville and Morrisville Parks for putting on this lovely event and investing in the community’s parks.
Have you been to Shiloh Park? Or do you have a favorite bit of local Black history that is also local parks history? Let us know in the comments!
(Note: We're currently working on updating our website with our reviews. This review was originally posted on Instagram on February 19, 2024, and Facebook on May 21, 2024.)
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