Pine Avenue children

As noted in an article appearing in the August 13, 2016 edition of the Cumberland Times-News, “The Pine Avenue Playground opened as the city’s 'colored' playground in 1933 and members of the local African-American community dug the pool by hand. Even though swings were not added until 1944, the playground was the center of summer life for generations of Cumberland’s black children. Although the city desegregated its playgrounds in 1948, the Pine Avenue Playground remained the 'colored' playground by tradition. For a period of twenty years, Jean Beckward served as the playground supervisor.”

Pine Avenue was referred to by the locals as the city's "black" playground. Jean Etta Beckward was the playground leader.

The following Pine Avenue Playground children are depicted in this photograph:
Row one, left to right: Danny Keyes, Barbara Wilson, Rita Mann, and Etta Beard
Row two: Scherry Beard, Diana Beard, Carol Ashby, and Lilly Daughtery
Row three: Manila Coleman, Wilma Barnes, and Sandy Dorsey
Row four: Martha Broome, Wilma Carter, and Valarie Barnes
Back row: Delores Smith, Frances Smith, and Joan Leith