Investing Responsibly in Parks, Public Art, Culture and Heritage: Mayor Dilkens Provides Emancipation Celebration Monument Update

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Design unveiled for Emancipation Celebration Monument at Jackson Park and fundraising campaign launched for bronze sculpture of Walter Perry

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens provided exciting updates and unveiled designs for the much-anticipated Emancipation Celebration Monument and launched the fundraising campaign for a life-sized bronze sculpture of "Mr. Emancipation" Walter Perry today at Windsor’s popular Jackson Park, 125 Tecumseh Road East.

Mayor Dilkens was joined by Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino, members of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee (the Committee), visual artist Dennis K. Smith, Sculptor Mark Williams, and representatives from the WindsorEssex Community Foundation.

Emancipation Celebration Monument Design Unveiled

As part of the announcement, Mayor Dilkens and the City’s Parks team unveiled the design of the Emancipation Celebration Monument, which will be constructed at Jackson Park between now and July 31, 2026. The finished monument will include a large decorative archway that will be 28 feet across and nearly 15 feet high, built to reflect the shape and style of the proscenium of the original Jackson Park bandstand, which burned down in 1957. Other elements of the Monument include:

Three murals created by local artist Dennis K. Smith, cofounder and president of The Artists of Colour, depicting the history of Emancipation Day celebrations in Windsor through large-scale outdoor framed paintings;
Interpretive panels sharing historical information and images connected to the local history of Emancipation Day and Windsor-Essex local Black history, with QR code technology linking to a commemorative website;
Decorative benches, landscaping, lighting, and shade structures to enhance the overall user experience of the site;
Space for future installation of a life-size bronze sculpture of Walter Perry;
Pathways with opportunities for donor names on bricks around the site; and
An overall footprint that also reflects the shape of the original bandstand.

The Emancipation Celebration Monument and gathering space at Jackson Park is supported by an investment of over $400,000 from City Council through the City of Windsor’s 2026 budget and is planned for completion at the end of July. The Committee is working on plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in honour and recognition of Emancipation Day. Save the date, as more details of the ribbon-cutting celebration will be available in the coming months.

Fundraising Campaign Launched for Life-Size Bronze Sculpture of "Mr. Emancipation" Walter Perry

As part of the announcement, Mayor Dilkens also unveiled the concept sketch depicting a life-size bronze sculpture of “Mr. Emancipation” Walter Perry, imagined and designed by local sculptor Mark Williams. Walter Perry was the man who organized Windsor’s historic Emancipation Day celebrations, designing the progressive festival that flourished during one of the most significant times and places in North American history. For thirty years, Perry helped transform his hometown into the place it is now. His story, and the history of the festival he created is the subject of the 2020 Canadian documentary "Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story."

The sculpture is intended for creation and installation in 2027 or sooner, subject to meeting a community fundraising goal. The City and the Committee have partnered with the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF), who will serve as stewards of the Emancipation Celebration Fund. WECF is a perpetual community trust for philanthropic purposes. It exists to manage donors’ legacy funds and make grants to support local community programs.

Donation Link: To donate online, and for details on donating by cheque or by phone, please visit the Emancipation Celebration Fund project donation page.

Emancipation Celebration Monument Commemorative Brick Program

Additionally, the City is launching a special Emancipation Celebration Monument Commemorative Brick Program, offering an opportunity for those interested in the project to make their mark on helping bring it to life with a commemorative brick installed around the site. Donations of $100.00 will allow for:

One grey 6-inch by 12-inch brick with a name or message inscribed
Three rows for the inscription
16 characters per row, including spaces/punctuation

To guarantee placement in the circular path around the monument, interested donors are asked to reach out to the City by June 1, 2026. Funding raised through this commemorative brick program will be directed towards creation and installation of the bronze sculpture of Walter Perry and will help the Committee reach its community fundraising goals. Donors are responsible for the regular maintenance of the brick. Replacement of any brick due to normal wear and tear shall be at the expense of the purchaser. Donors will receive a certificate for their brick, along with an income tax receipt from the City of Windsor.

To donate and receive an Emancipation Celebration Monument Commemorative Brick, please contact: Parks, Recreation & Facilities, at 519-253-2300 ext. 2711 by phone, or parkrec@citywindsor.ca by email.

Mayor Dilkens Announces Additional Support for Parks and Culture

As part of the announcement, and noting Windsor’s status as one of Canada’s most diverse, multicultural, and inclusive communities, Mayor Dilkens also announced his commitment to invest $47,000 from his available ward funds this year into initiatives celebrating Windsor’s stories, including:

$27,000 to enhance entertainment and support performers participating in the Windsor-based villages of the 2026 Carrousel of the Nations;
$10,000 to support creation of two additional commemorative sidewalks honouring veterans around the cenotaph at City Hall Square; and
$10,000 to support additional amenities like benches in City parks, encouraging community connections and engagement in outdoor spaces.

All of these updates come as part of the works covered in the City’s 2026 budget. For 2026, the budget includes over $317 million for capital investments, with $29.9 million allocated for community services like parks, recreation, facilities, and culture.

The City of Windsor’s increase in total annual capital investment is 162% since 2016. With a focus on responsible investments and city-building, City Council approved a fiscally responsible and ambitious 2026 City of Windsor Budget that also includes the following:

0% municipal tax levy increase
$2.26 billion 10-year capital budget, the largest in the City’s history
Largest road rehabilitation and repair program in the City’s history, with a 13% increase over 2025 spending
$163.8 million for roads
$60.0 million for sewers
$5.5 million capital investment in public transit
Anticipated added tax revenue of $5 million from new development and growth
Significant projects that support development around the NextStar Energy battery manufacturing facility; the site of the future regional Fancsy Family Hospital; and further development of the Sandwich South lands, including the servicing of airport lands
Continued focus on investment, growth, and sustainability
Continued strategic management of reserves, debt levels, and debt servicing from non-tax revenue sources

Learn more about this project and how to support it at the City of Windsor’s Emancipation Celebration Monument web page.

For more information on City projects and services, visit CityWindsor.ca or contact 311.

Quotes:

"The Emancipation Celebration Monument at Jackson Park will be something truly special to behold. From the large archway that mirrors the shape and design of the original bandstand… to the original murals being created by artist Dennis K. Smith… to the interactive elements, benches, lighting, shade structure, and other planned features of the overall space… to the life-sized bronze sculpture of Walter Perry to be installed in the near future — we are honouring our commitment to make 'Mr. Emancipation' proud as we honour 'The Greatest Freedom Show on Earth,' and create a fitting and inspiring tribute to a shared history that shaped our city, province, and country. We are Investing Responsibly in public art, parks, culture, and heritage through this project. As the fundraising stage officially kicks off for the bronze sculpture component, I thank Council for approving the over $400,000 investment to make this happen, Joi Hurst, Gale Carter, all members of the Committee, along with the designers, artists, and community members working in lockstep with the City to bring this beautiful vision to life in Jackson Park. Windsor is one of Canada’s most inclusive communities, and we are certainly honouring that through this monument and the other funding announcements supporting multiculturalism, diversity, and the stories that have helped to shape the community that is home to us all."
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

"Windsor has long been a place of refuge for freedom seekers and those who fight for independence, safety, and stability. Emancipation Day celebrations helped to shape our community, and it’s amazing to see the stunning design of the monument and sculpture that are being created to honour that history today. It has been an honour to partner with Mayor Dilkens, the committee members and artists, to get the project to this exciting milestone. Of course, I’m thrilled to see this come to life in Ward 3, where a continued commitment to public art helps Strengthen the Core and attract new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors every day. This will be a lasting tribute to so many who helped build our community and will connect generations of Windsorites to the stories that defined our past, shaped our present, and are helping to build our future."
- Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3

"Emancipation Day commemorates the Slavery Abolition Act that abolished slavery across the British Empire, including here in Canada, where thousands of people of African and Indigenous heritage had been enslaved during both the French and British colonial regimes. That is why we talk about 'freedom' when we talk about Emancipation Day, and why we have long celebrated all that it stands for. I am deeply grateful to Mayor Drew Dilkens, Councillor Renaldo Agostino, my fellow committee members, and the City team who have worked hard, and from the heart, to move this project forward each step of the way. I am grateful to City Council for embracing the vision and standing united in the desire to honour a history that has always mattered so very much to this city, this region, this province, and this country. Cultural monuments such as the Emancipation Celebration Monument are enduring testaments to human history, identity, and creativity, often described as 'footprints of the past on the sands of time.' As committee chairperson, it has been a truly remarkable experience to be a part of this committee. The dedication and collaborative spirit displayed by everyone involved have been truly inspiring. This space will do great things, attract incredible engagement, and stand as a lasting monument to all that was, all that is, and all that can be."
- Joi Hurst, Chair, Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee

"Emancipation was eating ribs with sticky fingers, while dressed in our Sunday best. It was more than a parade; it was pageantry for progress. The murals I am creating will depict the Emancipation Day Celebrations just like that, as I and so many others experienced them. That’s what I’m working to capture and share with these important works, and I’m honoured to be a part of this project and to have the opportunity to help tell these stories through my art."
- Dennis K. Smith, Mural Artist for the Emancipation Celebration Monument, and Cofounder and President of the Artists of Colour

"The creation of a bronze sculpture memorializing Walter Perry — also known as 'Mr. Emancipation' — ensures he’ll no longer be a footnote in history but rather a towering figure for us to look up to and admire. I want this work to stand as a permanent reminder that Windsor is a focal point for Black pride and for this monument and gathering space to serve as a source of — and inspiration for — that pride within our community. I hope that when people look at Mr. Perry and consider his powerful contributions to the story of our city, province, and country… that they will be inspired to achieve great things in support of the communities they call home."
- Mark Williams, Sculptor

"WindsorEssex Community Foundation is truly delighted to partner with the dedicated members of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee and the City of Windsor on this impactful initiative. This monument represents far more than a physical landmark — it is a powerful tribute to the history, resilience, and enduring legacy of Black history within our community. We are dedicated to ensuring that these important stories are honoured, shared, and remembered for generations to come. As the steward of the Emancipation Celebration Fund, WECF is proud to play a role in bringing this meaningful vision to life and strengthening our collective understanding of the history that has shaped our community."
- Lisa Kolody, Executive Director, WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF)