John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park

John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is a 2.5-acre public space located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the intersection of the historic Greenwood district and downtown Tulsa. Dedicated in 2010, the park serves as a memorial to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and commemorates the broader history of African Americans in Oklahoma.

The park features two main artistic elements created by sculptor Ed Dwight. The first is Hope Plaza, which includes a 16-foot granite structure surrounded by three bronze sculptures. These sculptures, based on actual photographs from the 1921 riot, depict scenes of hostility, humiliation, and hope. The second prominent feature is the Tower of Reconciliation, a 25-foot tall memorial pillar at the center of the park. This tower illustrates the history of African Americans from their forced migration to Oklahoma through the civil rights era.

The landscape of the park includes gently rolling lawns and two circular plazas connected by a linear path. The design creates a sense of forced perspective as visitors move between the plazas. The park is enclosed by a metal picket fence and incorporates various plantings, including deciduous trees, vines on steel arbors, and evergreens.

John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park serves an educational purpose, providing a space for visitors to learn about and reflect on African American history in Oklahoma. It includes plaques with informative text and quotes, offering context for the artworks and the historical events they represent. The park's location, bordering the once-thriving African American business district known as Black Wall Street, adds to its historical significance.

In 2018, the park was designated as a Literary Landmark in honor of Dr. John Hope Franklin, a distinguished historian and scholar for whom the park is named. In 2020, it became part of the African American Civil Rights Network, further recognizing its importance in preserving and sharing the history of the civil rights movement.