By R.J. LIBERATORE Jr.
Staff Writer

PLEASANTVILLE – Council has decided to name a pair of city parks to honor three men so their names and contributions won’t be forgotten by future generations.
On Monday, Nov. 3 council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would change the name of Cresson Avenue Park to Abraham Lincoln Green Park. The measure would also rename Leeds Avenue Park to John and George English Park.
The decision will become final following a second reading, public hearing and vote scheduled for council’s Nov. 17 meeting.
Abraham Lincoln Green, the father of Councilman Lincoln Green, was honored for his contributions to the residents of the Cresson Avenue area neighborhood when it was once known as Little Africa.
“It was a time when most of the streets weren’t paved and it was mostly farmland and there were no parks,” Lincoln Green said. “My father went to the city to get council to build a park so they wouldn’t have to cross New Road.”
The park was created as project of the Work Projects Administration in the 1930s, Green said. Workers also provided curbing along the streets.
The elder Green convinced city leaders to have a water pump installed at the park for the athletes to use.
“For many people who didn’t have indoor plumbing,” the councilman said, “that was their only source of water.”
He also formed a nonprofit organization that built a community center that would eventually become the first Faith Baptist Church, his son said.
 “He worked very hard,” Lincoln Green said.
Finally, he donated land that would eventually belong to Faith Baptist Church as well, his son said.
“He worked very hard for the community,” Green said. “He always said this area would become the mecca of Pleasantville.”
Abraham Green was 84 when he died in 1979.
Brothers George and John English were born in 1924. Although John died a few years ago, George continues to live in the family homestead at 5 Leeds Ave.
Both had an impact on Pleasantville in many ways, City Administrator Marvin Hopkins said.
George English served 16 years on City Council and 10 years as city clerk.
John English worked as a plumber and coached the Pleasantville A’s baseball team, which at one time included Hopkins.
“John was my favorite plumber besides myself,” said Councilman Stan Swan.
“Both men were proud to call Pleasantville their home,” Hopkins said of the English brothers.
George English, who attended the meeting, declined comment.
“They have already said enough,” the 84-year-old said with a wide smile.
Both men were also World War II veterans, Hopkins said.