Austin City Council members voted to rename Lamar Beach at Town Lake Metro Park to Volma Overton Sr. Shores at Town Lake Metro Park in honor and remembrance of the civil rights activist. The decision came at the council’s Jan. 27 meeting.

Overton, originally from Austin, is widely known for his legal contributions and efforts to desegregate schools in Austin for a more just and inclusive community. Overton also served as the president for the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1962-83. He died in Austin in 2005.

“As an Austinite and an entrepreneur inspired by his consistent work in the community for equal rights and opportunities for minorities, I'm incredibly excited that Volma Overton Sr.’s legacy will be kept alive in the heart of Austin," Overton’s granddaughter Kim Overton said in a press release. "It's easy to forget the work those before us did to help improve our communities, but now residents of Austin—newbies or natives—will have a beautiful reminder of this gentle leader’s infinite passion to improve the lives of Austin’s Black and minority residents.”

The park is located at 1200 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin.