Developing Minds and Bodies

About the mural

Over the years the Cooper Street Recreation Center has become a treasured local community facility, not so much for the building itself, but for all the good it has brought to the community. Here’s a brief history of the center.

In January 1959, a new and larger Baker Academy school was built and opened on Charlotte Avenue. The old Baker Academy school building was moved to the new location to provide additional classroom space. This left the lots along Mary and Showalter Streets, where the old school had been, vacant except for the basketball court.

In November 1960, a delegation of community residents headed by Booker T. Haynes Sr. asked the Charlotte County school board if a land swap deal could be worked out with the City of Punta Gorda to give the property to the city to rebuild the Negro recreation center. The center was originally on Dupont Street and had been heavily damaged by Hurricane Donna earlier that year and could not be repaired.

By 1961, the land swap was complete and in April 1962, the city approved construction of a $16,000 recreation building on the Mary & Showalter Street lots. The center was completed and named the Cooper Street Recreation Center. Furnishings and playground equipment were purchased and donated by members of the community, and the key to the center was presented to Mr. Haynes at a dedication in November 1962.

Bernice Russell and others volunteered for the early years opening the center on weekends and evenings for the children. The center was also used for events and other functions such as dances on Friday and Saturday nights and a community meeting place after church on Sundays.

In 1966, Charlotte County took over management of the center and hired two staff members, Mrs. Frances Haynes and Mrs. Mercedes Williams. They would open the center and supervise the children who came to use the facility. In the spring of 1985, Buster Lee Brown was hired as the first Director of the center, working with Mrs. Haynes and Mrs. Williams.

In 1986, the Charlotte County NAACP recommended to the county commissioners to have the center run by a board of directors to allow for additional programs to be implemented. The first Board was established and started operating the center in March 1986.

The first program established was the Study Partners program with the goal of emphasizing education as well as recreation and getting the children into the center right after school. Additional programs and activities followed, and by 1987, 150-200 children were participating in the study, athletics, crafts, and self-improvement programs at the center.

Many individuals and businesses in the community provided their financial and volunteer support over the years. Three long-time supporters were John Murphy, Dr. Bob Andrews, and Dr. Bob Shedd. Through their leadership, fundraising, and financial efforts, the center grew in size and impact, including but not limited to expanding the Study Partner Program, the founding of the bicycle reward program in 1991, and the addition of the pavilion in 1999.

Since it opened in 1962, hundreds of volunteers and supporters have dedicated their time and energy, and financial support to this center, making it a vital part of the community.

Panel 1 of the mural features special key individuals who played a significant role in the establishment and growth of the center. Panels 2 & 3 capture the center’s Directors over the years, along with the various programs, clubs, activities developed during their tenure.

The original mural was created in 2006 and dedicated on January 19, 2006. Unfortunately, it deteriorated over the years due to wall surface issues.

The Society began work on the replacement mural in 2024. The mural was redesigned to feature more history about the center and more effectively communicate this important history to the viewer. The new 3-panel mural was installed on aluminum panels to avoid future issues with the building’s wall. It was dedicated on January 18, 2026.