We at Volunteer Park Trust stand in solidarity with those who are protesting and demanding justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Manuel Ellis, and so many other Black Americans victimized by violence.

We support Black Lives Matter, and we are heartened by the peaceful protests and gatherings across the city demanding systemic change so that Black people, Indigenous people, and all people of color can be safe in all places in our society.

We believe that Volunteer Park can be a refuge of beauty, peace and safety for all people. It is a place to rest, recharge the soul, and enjoy nature and the changing seasons—perhaps even a place to reflect and contemplate change.

Volunteer Park Trust pledges to examine and address the ways systemic racism exists within our own organization and influences our thinking and our actions.  We challenge ourselves, as well as our partners and our supporters, always to look at our work through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and to listen to community leaders who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.  We will learn from each other, stand up to racism wherever we see it, make changes that heal past harm and work to create a more just future.