City leaders and community members gathered in matching yellow shirts June 17 at the Page Street and Jacobs Street intersection for the ribbon-cutting of Jimmy and Clara Jones Park.
The big picture
The park is named for Jimmy and Clara Jones, two Frisco residents who have been a “power couple” and staple of the Frisco community for over 50 years, their niece Beverly Petty said.
“I couldn't be more proud to be here today to celebrate [the Jones’] special day,” Petty said.
There was unanimous support to name the park after the Joneses for the work they have done, City Council Member Angelia Pelham said.
“This [park] is a statement that says you are a part of this city,” Pelham said. “This is a statement that says your contributions are not in vain.”
Some history
The Joneses both worked with and supported Frisco ISD and the Hamilton Chapel Baptist Church, the city’s first African American church, for years after moving to the city in 1964.
“It is so cool to have Jimmy Clara Jones Park in the heart of our city square, right near where [Jimmy and Clara Jones] live,” Pelham said.
The ribbon-cutting also coincided with the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth.
Jimmy and Clara Jones Park is one of two city parks to be named after African Americans; the other is Jack Hamilton Park on First Street, according to a March 2021 city news release.
Hamilton, who is also Jimmy Jones’ great uncle, founded Hamilton Chapel Baptist Church in 1914, according to the news release.
“It’s so befitting that this is Juneteenth weekend,” Pelham said. “This to me is not only just a ribbon-cutting; this is a statement to the progress in motion here in Frisco.”
In her own words
Clara Jones attended the ribbon-cutting along with multiple friends and family members.
“There wasn’t a child here I didn't love; there wasn't any people here I didn't love,” she said. “To see all of you here today, that lets me know that you love me too.”
Did you know?
Construction on the park, which is located near the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center and the Frisco Municipal Court building, was approved by city officials in July 2021. Additional contracts for more draining and increasing the height of the wooden posts in the play area were later approved last November.
More information on Frisco parks can be found on the city’s parks website.
