New Date Set for September 4
Due to inclement weather Friday, July 31, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for William H. Thorpe Park has been postponed to Friday, September 4, at 11:30 a.m. The new date was selected by the Thorpe family, as it would have been William H. Thorpe's 93rd birthday. We look forward to celebrating his legacy with the community on this special day. The City of Macomb invites the community to celebrate the completion of the park at the 1200 and 1300 blocks of East Pierce Street. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The park honors the legacy of William H. 'Bill' Thorpe, a lifelong Macomb resident, military veteran, and trailblazing public servant. Born in 1933, Thorpe graduated from Macomb High School and Western Illinois University before serving in the U.S. military during the Korean War.In 1962, Thorpe became the first Black police officer for the City of Macomb and McDonough County. During his distinguished career, he rose to the rank of sergeant and served as acting lieutenant. He earned the respect of the community through his commitment to fairness, integrity, and service, building trust across neighborhoods and leaving a lasting impact on generations of Macomb residents.
