Cincinnati Parks: Get In The Ring! Ezzard Charles Statue Groundbreaking Kicks Off 4th Annual Ezz Fest In Laurel Park

Press release from Cincinnati Parks:

Sarah Moskovitz

2021-10-09

Today, October 9, 2021, The Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, West End Community Council, Cincinnati Parks and Cincinnati Parks Foundation celebrated the official groundbreaking for the statue honoring the life and legacy of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and favorite son of Cincinnati’s West End, Ezzard Charles, to be erected and dedicated in Laurel Park in 2022 (See renderings below).

This project is only possible thanks to the generosity of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation—as well as several other community partners. CHAATRIK Architecture & Urban Design is designing the plaza, the statue was sculpted by John Hebenstreit.

This event also celebrated the 4th Annual Ezz Fest —the West End’s arts, athletics, and music festival celebrating Ezzard Charles’ contributions to the West End’s rich history. Festivities included a community picnic, live music, boxing activities, a family fun area, and local vendors.

This event was sponsored by Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Cincinnati Parks, FC Cincinnati, the Development Fund of the West End and the Maschmeier Boys and Girls.

This press release was produced by Cincinnati Parks. The views expressed here are the author’s own.