NEWBERRY — The official dedication and ribbon cutting for Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman Park will be held on from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the park, 668 McSwain St.

Scott Sawyer, director of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, said the renovations to Gallman Park included removing an existing basketball court that was in disrepair and putting in a new court near the same footprint of the old one.

A new shelter with bathroom was also built next to the new basketball court. The existing shelter and bathroom were renovated.

With the installation of gravel and parking stops, a larger, more defined parking area was established. A .4-mile asphalt trail that winds throughout the park was added, Sawyer said, and park benches and grills were added.

A celebration of all of these improvements will take place along with the ribbon cutting and will include a hot dog cookout, corn hole, basketball and firetruck water spray for children.

“We’re excited about this ribbon cutting. Any time we can renovate some of our aging parks it is exciting,” Sawyer said. “The city has some nice parks. Gallman Park is no exception. We hope people who have never visited the park will make their way over for a walk on the new trail or to bring their kids or grandkids to play or maybe have a picnic lunch.”

Previously known as McSwain Park and named for the adjoining street, Newberry City Council renamed the park Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman Park after the noted Newberry educator on May 7, 2013.

During the first part of the 20th century, Gallman was the county supervisor for 44 years of the schools African-American students attended. In addition, the first Rosenwald Schools in Newberry County were built under his leadership.

Gallman was the area supervisor for the Jeanes Foundation, which was a national philanthropy that improved the education system for African-American students. He also served for a number of years as president of the National Jeanes Teachers Association and on the Executive Committee of the Palmetto Teachers Association.

In honor of service to the cause of better education and better schools and for his inspiration, leadership and services to humanity, Gallman High School was named in his honor in the 1950’s and Gallman Elementary carries his name today.

Born in Newberry in 1885, Gallman was a graduate of S.C. State College. He also attended Hampton and Tuskegee Institute and other special seminars for educators at Atlanta University, Clarke College and Dillard University. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy by Morris College in 1955. He died in 1971.

“While the park’s name was changed several years ago, when we cut the ribbon it will officially be Gallman Park after Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman,” Sawyer said. “We are pleased to honor his legacy.”

A new basketball was constructed in Gallman Park, replacing an older court. The official dedication and ribbon cutting for Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman Park will be held on from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the park, 668 McSwain St.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_DSC05688.jpgA new basketball was constructed in Gallman Park, replacing an older court. The official dedication and ribbon cutting for Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman Park will be held on from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the park, 668 McSwain St. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

By Elyssa Haven

For The Newberry Observer