The historic Dunleith community in New Castle celebrated a major investment in one of its neighborhood parks Wednesday as residents, community leaders and government officials gathered for a ribbon cutting at Surratte Park.
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The improvements include a new playground, upgrades to the basketball court and the installation of new fitness equipment, giving children, families and residents new ways to enjoy the community park.
New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry joined state and county officials, Public Works leaders and members of the community for the September 9 ceremony at Surratte Park, located at 499 Bethune Drive in New Castle.
The celebration also highlighted the significance of investing in Dunleith, a historically Black community with roots dating back to the early 1950s.
Sandy Smithers, a lifelong Dunleith resident and member of the Dunleith Civic Association, spoke with DelawareBlack.com during the event about the neighborhood’s history and what the community has meant to generations of Black families.
Smithers explained that Dunleith was developed at a time when African American World War II veterans and their families faced discrimination, redlining and barriers to purchasing homes in many communities.
Dunleith became home to generations of Black families and developed a strong sense of community. Smithers recalled growing up surrounded by families, veterans and African American educators, including teachers at the former Dunleith Community School, which served neighborhood children from kindergarten through ninth grade.
Black history can also be found throughout the neighborhood. Streets and landmarks bear the names of prominent African Americans, including Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Ralph Bunche.
Having lived in Dunleith for most of her life, Smithers emphasized the importance of longtime residents sharing that history with younger generations and preserving the story of the community as it continues to evolve.
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting represented another chapter in that story.
With a new playground, improved basketball facilities and new fitness equipment, Surratte Park will continue to serve as a gathering place for children, families and residents in a community that has called Dunleith home for generations.
The upgrades celebrate both where Dunleith is going and the history of the community surrounding the park.
