The Revival of Hancock Park

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Tupelo, Miss. (WCBI) — Hancock Park in Tupelo was once known as a place that was known for crime, drugs, and as residents say wrongdoing.
But today, you’ll see a completely different place.

“5 years ago, this was the most dangerous park in Tupelo, and now its one of the safest, 5 years of work in the park and it paid off”, says the United Brothers and Sisters group president Mack Turner, Sr.

The Tupelo-based United Brothers and Sister have put in countless days, months, years into saving their neighborhood.

Turner said he began to make a difference simply by going door to door, speaking with neighbors, and getting the community more involved.

One way Turner was able to get the community to come together were through the group’s “Meet Your Neighbor” event.

While that sounds simple, its message means much more.

“Whether you know them by name or just know them by face, its important that we all be able to come together as a community…”, said President’s Gate Apartment property manager Melbra Bell.

Turner said the restoration effort wouldn’t be possible without the help of President’s Gate Apartments and their owner, as well as the mayor and the Tupelo city council.

“We should know who lives next to us…”, explained group vice president Mack-Arthur Turner, Jr., “…not only for safety reasons but you know, even to just know the people that are, the great people in your community and know what they’re about”.

Turner, Jr., who is currently studying real estate law at the University of Mississippi, says he hopes to take his educational background and bring it back to the area where he grew up. He also said he hopes to be a leader in advancing community awareness.

“When I was a kid, everybody in the neighborhood was my friend…”, Turner described, “…it didn’t matter your background or anything, it was just like you were within my age group, we were going to play, we’re going to play basketball or baseball in the streets. We’re trying to bring that back into the community.”

The United Brothers and Sister say they plan to host another “Meet Your Neighbor” next month.