Editor’s note: This story was updated on Aug. 26 at 4:49 pm to include the new name of the park.
MOUNT VERNON — City council members are paying tribute to the efforts of former Councilman John Francis by renaming Shellmar Park in his honor.
The new name will be John Francis Community Park.
Francis served on city council from 2011 to 2023. He was the catalyst behind a chronic nuisance abatement ordinance and a driving force in educating residents about drugs. He put drug dealers on notice that he was fed up with them and the drug problems plaguing the neighborhood.
Today, what used to be a refuge for drug dealers and the homeless population is now a neighborhood gathering place.
Council President Bruce Hawkins served with Francis on city council from 2012 to 2023.
“He sat over there in his seat while we were at the other city chambers and said, ‘You people that have drugs, I’m gonna get you.’ He was very blunt,” Hawkins recalled. “[John] was very clear; he worked with the police department, and he worked with others to work on the drug issue in that part of town.
“He loved that part of town. He still loves that part of town.”
Hawkins said Francis wanted youth in that area of town to be able to play basketball, have picnics and have fun. The result was Shellmar Park, dedicated in 2020.
“It’s an area of town where that didn’t happen before; he worked hard on that park. … He really cared,” Hawkins said.
“He was a tribute to city council and to the city, and I think it’s certainly right that we rename Shellmar Park in honor of John Francis.”
‘Here for the people’
Councilman Mel Severns, who also served on council with Francis, echoed Hawkins’ comments.
“He’s a man of his word and really was here for the people, especially the people in his ward. I think this would be amazing to do this,” Severns said, adding he frequently rides his bike through the area.
“I always see kids out there or adults out there playing basketball or whatever, and I’ve never seen anybody abusing any of the facility there. … I think this would be a great honor to do this for John.”
