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wI.wle•tK.fc*y.S\is•»\1,1.i-•fiS',11isIsd\egroes Seem Happy HerePs:—BY BILL WILLIAMS— (Gazette Staff Reporter)What effect will the supreme Court’s public - park integration ruling have on Gastonia?This question was being asked today over coffee and doughnuts, in barber chairs, and along the avenue.The immediate answer was that there would be. integration all along the line whdte recreation and public parks are sup* ported by public funds.But, would that change the status quo In Gastonia? Would Negroes flock to Linebergcr park and the already-crowded swimming pool? Would tlwro be confusion on the golf course?City officials are not the least concerned . over the Supreme Court ruling.ALREADY COMPLYINGThey point to the fact thatNegroes have been using LovePark all along. “The Negro chU dren have been coming outandjWcswinging on the swings and using the other apparatus there— along with white children,” said City Manager James Carter, We have watched this for sometime and were pleased over the way the Negro and white children play together.”There might be some difficulty in other cities and towns where white people alone are allowed to play golf on golf courses. In Gastonia, Negroes and whites have been using Municipal Golf Course for a year. There have* been no “incidents.” Many foursomes ahe composed of black and white.Another official said he expected no demand from Negroes to use parks which, in the past, were used only by white people. “Ervin Memorial park, with Its swimming pool much better than Lineberger park, is located right In the Negro section. Tlvis poolwas used very little last year, hope next summer will seemore people going there for a swim.”SCHOOL ZONEThe new Highland High School is an ideal spot for a Negro recreation area to be developed, said another city official. He pointed out that the idea now is abroad to establish community recreation centers and that the Highland area would be an ideal spot to erect one of these.I just don’t believe that there will be any noticeable difference in the use of parks and playgrounds in Gastonia,” said a high city official. “Everything will be open for both races, but I believe that by desire the two will remain segregated.”It was pointed out that bench resorts—Myrtle Beach, Carolina Beach, etc.—probably Would feel the effect of the court’s ruling much morn than would townslike, Gastonia where some integration already is in practice,nunEstCtccus1-ist
Newspaper Details
The Gastonia Gazette
Gastonia, North Carolina, US
Tue, Nov 08, 1955
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
NC, USA 29 Sep 2021
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