Area leaders dedicate historical signage at Negro Creek

New informational signage that shares the history of Negro Creek was unveiled today during a dedication ceremony in Kingston Lake Park in Overland Park.

Officials from the City of Leawood, the City of Overland Park and Johnson County were on hand for the dedication, as were members of the Negro Creek Committee. The committee was formed to investigate a name change for Negro Creek, a waterway which meanders through several neighborhoods and parks in in southern Overland Park and Leawood.

As a tributary of the Blue River, Negro Creek is 6-1/2 miles long, running roughly from the Kansas-Missouri state line at 150th Street to Metcalf Avenue near 159th Street.

After a historical investigation into the origin of the name, The Negro Creek Committee ultimately decided not to change it. Instead, they committed to preserving the creek's history as an educational landmark, transforming the name from a simple label into a legacy of resilience and a lesson for future generations.

The cities of Leawood and Overland Park have each installed an informational sign along the creek. Each one provides a map of the creek, a history of its name and a summary of the research and engagement conducted by the Negro Creek Committee.

"I want to thank the community members who dedicated their time to analyze a complex issue, and I champion their courage to preserve our painful past so we can continue evolving into a safe and welcoming community for all," said Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.

Mark McCormick, Director of Development for Miracle of Innocence and a member of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission, was the day's keynote speaker.

McCormick quoted American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin. "James Baldwin said, 'Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing is changed unless it is faced.'"

"I commend these local governments for taking on this inconvenient history, and I'd encourage residents to follow suit by learning more," McCormick said.

To learn more about the Negro Creek renaming project, please visit this webpage.