The warm September evening saw E. H. “Mittie” McAdams, a prominent figure and unofficial white spokesman for Moberly’s Negro community, step into the offices of Noll Motors, Inc. The Park Board had convened for a meeting, and McAdams was there with a mission—to advocate for better swimming facilities for the city’s Negro population.

“Improvements are overdue,” McAdams asserted, his voice steady with determination. He highlighted the dire state of the existing recreational facilities designated for Negroes, stressing the need for immediate action. The nine-member Park Board, appointed by the mayor, listened attentively. Marvin Rowland, the board’s president, was cautious in his response. “We are not ready to release a statement,” he said, declining further comment until an investigation into the conditions at the five-acre tract, reserved as a Negro park northwest of Rothwell Lake, was completed.

The historical context of the park was somber. Established by a segregation-minded city council in the 1930s, the area had fallen into disuse over the years. McAdams, however, brought a glimmer of hope. He announced that the Park Board had agreed to clean up and rehabilitate the Negro recreation area. The initiative would be overseen by a three-man committee of Negro representatives, operating under the jurisdiction of Rothwell Park Superintendent John Groeber.

“I am driven by a desire for fairness and community betterment,” McAdams emphasized, distancing himself from his political role as County Democratic Chairman. He assured the board and the community that the plans included cleaning the lake and repairing the shelter house, restoring the park to a usable and welcoming state.

As the meeting concluded, there was a sense of cautious optimism. The Moberly Monitor-Index and Moberly Evening Democrat captured the story, noting the potential for a brighter future for Moberly’s Negro population. The newspaper, recognizing the significance of this development, ensured that the news reached every corner of the city.

The path to equality was long and fraught with challenges, but this commitment to improving recreational facilities marked a small yet meaningful step forward. The efforts of McAdams and the Park Board held the promise of a community coming together, working to provide better opportunities and a sense of belonging for all its members.