North Carolina

Statesville City Council keeps Martin Luther King's name for park

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Statesville is sticking with plans to rename a park to honor slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Statesville City Council on Monday night heard supporters and opponents of renaming Lakewood Park for King.

The council made no changes Monday on renaming the park.

Some residents had complained before the meeting that they wanted the city to get ideas from more people before making the decision to change the name.

Sassy Smyth said she wanted a new park created to honor King. She also suggested dedicating part of a greenway or creating a community garden or renaming an amphitheater for King.

Other residents celebrated the city's decision to stick with the new name, praising the 6-1 vote in April to honor King.

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