What began as an effort to honor a local statesman quickly turned into a heated debate over memory, legacy and community ownership with a Miami Gardens community park at its center.

Last week, the Miami Gardens City Council voted unanimously to rename Rolling Oaks Park to “Senator Oscar Braynon II at Rolling Oaks Park” despite opposition from longtime residents who said they were left out of the process.

The vote followed a contentious May 14 council meeting where emotional objections and calls for compromise met an initial proposal to rename the park “Senator Oscar Braynon II Park.”

The City of Miami Gardens Council approved the resolution to rename the park after Sen. Oscar Braynon II. (miamigardens-fl.gov)

Honoring Braynon

Councilwoman Linda Julien, who sponsored the resolution,

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