Van Turner announces big plans for Health Sciences Park

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Soon after two several years of web hosting Memphis’ biggest Juneteenth celebration, Van Turner announced Friday the city’s Health and fitness Sciences Park will be partnering with Telisa Franklin, the organizer for the Juneteenth celebration. 

Turner announced the partnership Friday alongside Franklin at the park, formerly named Forrest Park immediately after accomplice common Nathan Bedford Forrest, who also was a founding member of the Ku Klux Klan. 

The park was renamed in 2013, and a statue of Forrest on horseback eradicated in 2017, but it wasn’t until finally 2021 that Forrest’s remains and those of his spouse had been exhumed from the park and moved to the National Accomplice Museum in Columbia, Tennessee. 

“I forecast this park will be a desired destination for when you come to Memphis,” Turner reported. “There will be so significantly exercise below, so a lot of events, this park will be so used that if you are below, you can’t assistance but take a look at Overall health Sciences Park.” 

Franklin has been the president of the Memphis Juneteenth Pageant due to the fact 2011. The Competition has observed a massive raise in readers because the working day became a federal vacation in 2021.