NAACP Leader Wants Restrooms Built in MLK Park

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Chapter for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has started a petition to remove the portable toilets at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and build restrooms. 

"The Martin Luther King, Jr. Park located in San Angelo has been grossly neglected," stated Sherley Spears, President of San Angelo's NAACP Chapter. "For more than 15 years, the park has not had restrooms for residents or visitors to use on any occasion other than portable potties."

For nearly two years now the NAACP has been trying to install restrooms but have been turned down every time.

"We exchanged emails and voice mails over the past 2 years with the city council person representing this district, District 4, Lucy Gonzales," stated Spears. "Councilwoman Gonzales has failed to respond with any concrete information about the concerns of her constituents or other citizens who visit the park on a regular basis."

In 2019, the NAACP met with the City of San Angelo's Parks and Recreation Board and listed their complaints. Following the meeting they claim that the Parks and Recreation Director, Carl White, informed us that the park falls into the category of community parks and therefore should be eligible for consideration of restroom facilities. Still nothing happened.

A number of parks since the beginning of their outcry have been remodeled or renovated such as Unidad Park and Kirby Park.

"There is an outcry from the community to remedy this issue!," finished Spears. "There are various events in the park and there are no restrooms for our children, our elderly or anyone; this is a public park where families and groups like to host family reunions, community and neighborhood gatherings, birthday parties, school reunions, and other social gatherings."

To sign the petition click here.