Annual report highlight: Growing partnerships
July 15, 2025Woodland Park
During the era of Jim Crow segregation, Woodland Park was a haven for Black vacationers and travelers. In the summer, every cottage, resort rental, and room at the Kelsonia Inn and other hotels was booked.
As new opportunities opened for Black travelers in the mid-1960s, Woodland Park and nearby Idlewild saw a steady decline in traffic. Landmarks like the Royal Breeze Hotel exist now only in memory. However, a local group is dedicated to reviving and sharing those memories.
“We were inspired by a desire to preserve the work done by the founders of this historically Black resort community,” wrote members of the community group. “We feared our history would be lost.”
The committee works with partners like The Right Place and MSU Extension, and in 2024, the Community Foundation awarded a grant for historic signage.
“We felt many driving nearby wouldn’t even know they were in Woodland Park or why it was so special,” said Julie Burrell of The Right Place. “We wanted to change that in a visible way, and a collection of interpretive signs was the answer.” It’s a big step in a plan to preserve and celebrate the significance of this treasured area.
“We look forward to visitors learning more about Woodland Park,” wrote members of the committee. “Woodland Park is not only a local treasure, it is a national treasure.”
Pictured: Patricia Plaut-Payne, Venola Walton-Stanciel, Harvey Sanders, Debbie Jones, and Julie Burrell. The committee also includes Ziyadah Shakir, Carol Vandyke, Stephen Jones Jr., Leslie Woods, and David Woods.
