Belton Council to Discuss Renaming Confederate Park

The Belton City Council will meet at 5:30 PM today (Tuesday, July 14) at the Harris Community Center to discuss the possibility of renaming Confederate Park.

The Killeen Daily Herald's Jacob Sanchez recently penned an article detailing the history of the park, which dates back to 1892 when the Ex-Confederate Association of Bell County donated 6 acres of land along Nolan Creek to the City of Belton.

In the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody and protests against racial disparity, cities across the nation have been considering changes to parks, buildings, and even entire towns and counties named for the Confederacy or its key figures.

The Belton council's round table discussion was reportedly prompted by two letters they received from residents who say the name Confederate Park conveys an unwelcoming image of Belton. In his letter, Belton resident Douglas Brito suggested naming the park after former governor Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, herself a controversial figure. (Sanchez' article delves into that interesting bit of Texas history.)

As for the Confederate monument on the old Bell County Courthouse property, the Bell County Commissioners Court is scheduled to discuss what, if anything, to do with it during a 1:30 PM meeting Wednesday, July 15 at the Bell County Expo Center's Assembly Hall.

Back in late June, protesters gathered around the statue to call for its removal, with many recommending that it be moved to another location as an educational tool and not displayed prominently in a public square.

A petition calling for its removal will be presented as part of the Commissioners Court meeting Wednesday.

Where do you stand on renaming Confederate Park or moving the statue at the Old Courthouse? If you were renaming the park, what name would you give it? Let us know in the comments, but please be courteous and respectful.