The park location is a site of local historical significance.  During the era of segregation, African-American residents had inadequate access to medical care within Cobb County.  To improve the quality of care, African-American citizens started a campaign that successfully fundraised, constructed, and operated the Cobb County Cooperative Negro Hospital with the support of the City of Marietta white residents.  After the opening of Kennestone Hospital in 1950, the Cooperative Hospital closed.  The building was re-purposed as a recreation center that served the surrounding African-American neighborhood of Baptist Town.  The building remained in use for city-wide residents until 2015.  

While the  building was demolished, Marietta City Council wanted to reflect this history via the use of public art within the new park.  Reflecting Mrs. Porter's 22 years as Recreation Center Manager and the young lives she influenced.  The statue shows Mrs. Porter with two children ready to play at her side.