The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located on the Capital Area Greenbelt just east of 19th Street. It is only reachable by the Greenbelt, which creates a peaceful setting, perfect for quiet reflection. The monument is located here because sadly, at the time, funds weren’t available to purchase property at a more accessible location. This site was made available to CAGA at no cost by the City of Harrisburg’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The memorial celebrates Dr. King’s efforts to achieve social justice for African-Americans. The dominant feature of the site is an eleven-foot, black granite obelisk in the center of the memorial garden. It was imported from India and given to the garden
by an anonymous donor. The text of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is accessible by scanning a QR code on the kiosk adjacent to the obelisk. On each side of the entrance are six granite markers commemorating the twelve historic crusades undertaken by Dr. King. These, as well as a granite bench, were donated by Norm Lacasse, a founding member of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA). Another QR code on the kiosk provides information about each crusade.

It took 12 years to build the memorial and create the beautiful
landscaping surrounding it. On the back side
of the kiosk you can read about the native plants in the surrounding
gardens. Great care was taken to choose native plants both for the
environmental benefit as well as the practical reason of reducing maintenance. Behind the six rows of the bee- and bird-friendly plants is a row of deer-resistant juniper trees.

Maintaining these beautiful grounds requires a team of volunteers. One
of the first volunteer groups came from Daikon Youth Services. Through
the years, members of the Keystone Rotary Club, Dauphin County Master Gardeners, individuals needing community service hours, as well as other interested parties, have all contributed to the effort to keep the gardens well-tended.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial reminds us of Dr.
King’s vision for a just America for everyone. If your next walk or ride brings you by the memorial, take some time to enjoy the landscaping and
quiet to reflect on Dr. King’s message of peace and justice that’s as relevant today as it was during his lifetime. There are benches, both in the shade and in the sun, for your comfort. You might also mark August 25 on your calendar. It is the anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and each year CAGA offers a walk-through led by a master gardener.