Jackson Family Playground Campaign

Jackson Family Playground

In remembrance of a family that reminds us that in the midst of adversity and injustice, the solution is embracing difference and building community

This project will serve the students of Pratt Community School and the wider Minneapolis community. Located in Prospect Park, this project will provide a safe, engaging, and innovative play space as well as educational opportunities to learn about the rich racial history of the community.

Your gift will help cover:

• Design of a new Pratt Community School playground and Jackson Family memorial
• Materials/resources to complete the project
• Innovative community engagement endeavors and community education curriculum development

This project was developed by the Jackson Family Playground Committee. The Committee is comprised of members of the Pratt Parent-Teacher Organization, Pratt Community School, Prospect Park Association, and Prospect Park Neighborhood.

Brief History

In 1908, Madison and Amy Woods Jackson moved into the Prospect Park neighborhood with their three young daughters, Marvel, Helen, and Zelma. The Jackson's were the first African American family to move into the all-white neighborhood. At this time, only 2,700 Black people lived in Minneapolis.

Their daughters were the first African American children to attend Pratt Community School. Soon after they moved in, the Jackson family was subject to discrimination, harassment, and daily threats trying to get them to leave the neighborhood. One such threat came during a demonstration in which Madison Jackson was told that his children would not have anybody to play with. As a concerned father, he considered this and decided to build a playground in their backyard that was open to all of the children in the neighborhood. And the children did come and play, with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.

 The Jackson's lived in Prospect Park for 20 years, until the time of the father’s death.

To learn more about this project: https://www.jacksonfamilyplayground.org

Prospect Park Association: http://prospectparkmpls.org

Prospect Park Association

P.O. Box 141095

Minneapolis, MN 55414