Widely recognized as one of the earliest, potentially the first, city parks in Baltimore named after Black residents. Contee-Parago Park: The Neighbors Whose Names Endured
In Baltimore’s Bolton Hill neighborhood, a park honors two Black residents: William Gailes Contee, an upholsterer and small business owner, and Edward Parago, Sr., a postal worker. They lived on Dolphin Lane for decades and were among the area’s early Black homeowners. (hmdb.org)
Their story unfolded in a neighborhood shaped by segregation. Bolton Hill’s community history records that a local improvement association pushed for restrictions on Black residents. In the 1960s, urban renewal cleared the land where the park now stands. Neighbors organized to turn that space into a park and, in 1971, dedicated it to Contee and Parago, honoring two men a Baltimore Sun article called “good neighbors.” (Bolton Hill)
The park became a gathering place for Black residents to discuss politics and the news. For years, Contee kept its fountain running so children could play there in the summer. The city’s historical marker describes Contee-Parago Park as one of Baltimore’s first city parks named for Black residents. (boltonhillmd.org)
Their families and neighbors have kept that history visible. During the park’s restoration, Parago’s grandson, Reese Culbreath, chose the boulder that now bears its original 1971 dedication plaque. (Baltimore Heritage)
Contee and Parago were honored for being neighbors. More than fifty years later, their names still tell Baltimore who helped make this place a community.
Descendants of the Taken Ones. Remember the names. Honor the neighbors.
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