Franklin Park (Racine, Wisconsin)

Franklin Park is a public park in Racine, Wisconsin, located between 10th Street and 11th Street and behind the former Walden III Middle and High School building.

History
Franklin Park, also known as Franklin Neighborhood Park, was created as part of a national and local effort to eliminate "urban blight" in predominantly Black communities. In 1968, the city of Racine received $117,230 in federal funding from the to demolish the row of houses on Franklin Street, as well as the Mohr-Jones sheet metal factory at 922 11th Street. Fourteen families were evicted from the houses and received financial compensation or assistance in finding new houses.

The section of Franklin Street between 10th Street and 11th Street was permanently closed on April 28, 1971. Anticipating the demolition in May 1971, Mohr-Jones moved its sheet metal division out of the building at 922 11th Street, where it had operated since 1886, to leased space at 1801 North Memorial Drive. The Mohr-Jones building was demolished on June 14. By mid-July, the park's construction was mostly finished, expected to be complete by the end of the month, and ready for operation by September 1. The park was dedicated in a ceremony on October 31, 1971.

The park's western boundary was originally defined by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad tracks. The city of Racine accidentally placed the fence between the park and the railroad tracks too far inside the railroad's property, and in November 1976, the railroad agreed to lease the fenced area to the city for $60 per year. After the railroad tracks were abandoned, the city began negotiating in November 1982 to purchase the area near Franklin Park so it could clear the tracks and expand Franklin Park.