Douglass Park Legacy Continues with Addition of First Tee-Indiana By Kelly Churney Indianapolis’ Douglass Park has been a centerpiece of the Martindale-Brightwood community for more than a century. Named after abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the park was originally created as a safe, recreational place for people of color. For generations, Douglass Park provided just that. Back in the day, community members believed that “it takes a ‘village’ to raise a child.” Douglass Park was the ‘village’ that helped raise many local children. Five years after Douglass Park opened, a golf course was built and the first tee shot was struck in 1926. It became a meeting place, not just for the Black community, but for Black celebrities, as well. Both World Heavy-Weight Boxing Champion, Joe Louis and golfing great, Tiger Woods have visited the park over the years. Today, Douglass Park continues to be one of the more popular golf courses in town, because of its accessibility and historical legacy. In 2021, that legacy came full circle with the introduction of First Tee-Indiana at the Douglass Park Golf Course. First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life lessons through the game of golf – such as integrity and perseverance. Additionally, First Tee is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all affiliated with the organization. Indiana Golf Journal
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