Oakland dedicates Pollard Park

West Orange Times & Observer
Neighborhood

The morning of Saturday, June 16, was full of dedications and unveilings in the town of Oakland.

A crowd gathered under the new Willie Welch Pavilion for the dedication of Pollard Park, on West Hull Avenue, and the old Masonic Lodge cornerstone.

Eugene Pollard lived most of his life in Oakland. He was a well-respected leader and resident and was active in his church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, now Champions Cathedral, in Oakland. He owned various rooming houses, as well as two homes, in Oakland.

Pollard served as secretary of the Mount Herman Masonic Lodge No. 45.

The lodge, formerly located on Sadler Avenue, was erected in 1950, and Pollard was respected for his role in the lodge.

During the dedication of the park, the town unveiled the demolished lodge’s cornerstone, which was preserved and placed at the park’s south end.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.