NU’s Statement re: Amanda Berry Smith Park

This month, while celebrating Pride, many members of Neptune United (NU) worked to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the sign recently erected in the area that, for almost a century, was known as “Boswell Park.” NU advocated for the removal of the sign, installed without the necessary municipal approvals, as it paid homage to a past OGCMA President who had a troubling association with the KKK.

As a result, on June 27, 2023, the Township of Neptune instructed the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) to remove the sign, erected just three weeks earlier. The following day, the OGCMA announced that it was “proud to dedicate Amanda Berry Smith Park.”

NU is grateful to Neptune Township for ensuring parity among all Neptune property owners and to the OGCMA for choosing to dedicate one of our local parks to Amanda Berry Smith, a courageous woman born into slavery who in 1899 opened the first orphanage for black children in Illinois.

By honoring Amanda Smith Berry, the OGCMA has demonstrated that it is possible to foster a shared sense of belonging in our community. NU looks forward to working with the OGCMA and Neptune Township to make all areas of Neptune a more welcoming, diverse and inclusive community for all.