HomeMy WebLinkAboutLincoln Center in College Station tLincoln Center
i n College Stat
Essential Elements of Programming for Minorities
As parks and recreation professionals, it is essen- Department Office was established in the homemaking
tial that we fully understand the importance of our role cottage, with the industrial arts shop being converted
in the service delivery function to minorities within our into a shop for the department.' On June 6,1980, Lincoln
communities. A case example is the development and Center was officially dedicated to serve as a tribute to the
current operation of Lincoln Center in College Station. school that once stood on that site. In 1985, major
Though unique in its own way, it nevertheless points to renovation was completed which included a new gym -
the essential elements of programming to meet the so- nasium and upgrading all existing structures on the site
dal, educational, leisure, and recreational needs of at the cost of $660,000. Since then, other improvements
minorities. have been made yearly (1988, 1989, and 1990) utilizing
Community Development and Parkland Dedication funds
Background. Lincoln Center traces its roots back totalling over $8,500.
to 1941 when the A &M Consolidated School District
acquired the current site for an all -black school to better Lincoln Center today. The Center continues to
serve the black community's educational needs. The serve as the hub of College Station's black community.
only education provided for Brazos County blacks prior An integral part of its success is due to its being in walk-
, and into the 20th Century, had consisted of small area ing distance from its user base. The facility is operated
schools, located in the churches they attended. and supervised by minorities; the staff understands the
thinking and the needs of its black community and is
Initially, facilities consisted of a six- classroom build- aware of the dynamics /inter - workings of the relation -
mg, a principal's office, and a home economics depart- ships between members of this unique culture, and
ment. Grades one through eleven were established, and works well with its service population. The Center is
grade 12 was added the following year. There were 242 overseen by an advisory board made of community
students enrolled with seven teachers. Because of the leaders and residents of its service population, minis-
lack of classroom space, two classes were combined in ters, and educators. The purpose of the Lincoln Center
each of the classrooms. Student assemblies and gather- Board is to interpret the needs and interests of its com-
ings took place at area churches. It is interesting to note munity and to advise the Parks and Recreation Board
that there were two ceremonies for the graduates, the concerning recreational programs, ideas, and activities
educational commencement ceremony, where diplomas that satisfy these needs and/or interests. The Board
were bestowed to the students, and the other, which participates in formulating plans and assists in recom-
served as the spiritual side of graduation and took place mending policies, evaluating programs, and making
at one of the area churches. recommendations regarding the use of additional funds
Over the years, many changes/additions es /additions were (apart from the city's operational budget) made avail -
able through fundraising projects.
made. In 1946, the name of the school was changed from
A &M Consolidated Negro School to Lincoln School as The Center also has a Teen Board whose purpose
the black population began to seek its own identity. is to involve the youth of the community and provide a
Before integration occurred in 1964, enrollment at Lin- mechanism for their input regarding special events and
coln School was 350 students, including 120 high school activities that they and their peers would like to partici-
students. Throughout its existence, the school served as pate in as well as proposals that would increase atten-
the social hub of College Station's black community and dance at the Center. Requirements for the Teen Board
was more than a school — it was family. Most of the black are that individuals must possess a Lincoln Center mem-
community's social activities revolved around the school. bership card ($4 annual fee), have at least a C grade
Everybody knew each other, and ministers from area average in school, participate in Center activities, iden-
churches were also involved. tify well with peers, have good attendance in school, and
make regular visits to the Center.
On January 20,1966, a fire destroyed a majority of
the facility. Then in 1967, an informal agreement was en- The development and operation of Lincoln Center
tered into by the city to use the school property tempo- by the city has been a most successful venture. The
C rarity as a city park. It was acquired by the city in 1968 current challenge facing the staff and the surrounding
and the following year, the city's Parks and Recreation black community is the ever increasing presence of
16 / Texas Recreation and Park Society
1 06r
by Lillian Robinson, Supervisor, Lincoln Center
College Station Parks and Recreation Department
HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES
Community-wide input and involvement is essential to Lincoln Center's activities. It is truly people
helping themselves, with the city taking on the leadership role in facilitating ongoing and expanded
activities and programs for College Station's black community. Some of the services and uses of the
facility include:
Site for local toy library.
Gym and meeting rooms can be reserved /rented, and used for periodic dances for the teens.
Site of remote County Immunization Clinic.
Special events such as: M.L.K. Celebration featuring gospel music, Juneteenth, Black History
Week, Halloween Carnivals, and Easter Egg Hunts.
Site of "Years- For - Profit," a Senior Citizen nutritional /recreational program.
Site for monthly commodity distribution (serving over 3500 families last year).
Free tutoring provided during the school year.
Craft program for youth and seniors.
Free tax -form preparation assistance and notary public services.
Frequent referrals to different agencies, such as W.I.C., Planned Parenthood, Food Stamps, Job
Training Partnership Act, HUD Section VII Housing Program, etc.
Cor League play in basketball and volleyball, as well as track and boxing programs.
Game room with billiard and ping -pong tables.
Various workshops provided to increase public awareness on: car maintenance, nutrition, drug
and alcohol abuse, tax preparation, and other subjects.
TV room with weekly videos and current magazines.
Essential Elements continued... Con 1 ee
drugs which brings along with it Seed P ' • • • •
changes in behavior of the user, in-
creased crime, and disrespect for law
and order. Based upon its history and a complete line of excellent • Perennial & Annual Turf Grasses
the Parks and Recreation Department's turf and landscaping products Ryegrass, Fescue, Bermuda, Bentgrass
motto — "We Provide Good Things In with professional solutions • Native Grasses
Life" — Lincoln Center will continue to your "growing concerns." Buffalo, Bluestems, Lovegrasses
to support and enhance the pride of • Wildflowers
the black community and its culture. call Ben wove Toll Free Bluebonnets & Mixes
1 -800- 759 -3299 • Wild Game Forages
Sunflower, Partridge Pea, Bundleflower
'Narrative entitled "Lincoln School • Agrosoke
— Black Education in College Station" r ^� a Root Watering Crystals
(1941- 1966), prepared by Robert V. Mar - v S • Hydro Seeding Mulches
raro, Jr., as part of an application submit- & Related Products
ted to the Texas Historical Commission
• • Xeriscape
for a subject marker. Water Efficient Landscaping Materials
Coale@ Seed Co., Inc.
P0. Box 23219 • Waco, TX 76702-3219 • 817-772-5680
P0. Box 1628 • Plainview, TX 79073 - 1628.806- 293 -4404
Texas Recreation and Park Society / 17