In a tribute to a beloved local advocate, Kennedy Park in Roanoke has been renamed Estelle H. McCadden Park.
The new name honors the legacy of Estelle McCadden, a remarkable leader and educator who dedicated her life to making Roanoke a better place.
Estelle was a co-founder of the Melrose-Rugby Neighborhood Forum and an economics teacher who played a pivotal role in integrating teaching in Roanoke schools. Her tireless work and dedication to her community made her a beloved figure in the Northwest Roanoke area.
To celebrate the naming of the park, the community came together on April 28th, just in time for what would have been Estelle’s birthday. Her son, Mac McCadden, spoke at the ceremony, sharing his mother’s motto and how proud she would have been to have the neighborhood come together to honor her legacy.
The newly named Estelle H. McCadden Park offers picturesque views of the mountains and wide-open fields for recreation. It also includes an ADA picnic shelter for all members of the community to enjoy.
Starting this summer, Roanoke Parks and Recreation will begin a master planning process for the park, working closely with the community to ensure that Estelle’s legacy lives on in the newly renamed space. With the community’s input, the park will continue to be a place where Estelle’s vision of bringing people together is realized.
