New Bedford has plans to honor a former resident who became one of the most influential African Americans of the 1800’s. According to NBC 10 in Providence, in just a few months, a park will be created in New Bedford to honor the life and legacy of former New Bedford resident Frederick Douglass a famous abolitionist who called New Bedford home after escaping slavery in Maryland. Douglass raised his family in the city and spent years fighting against slavery and oppression. The Baker-Polito Administration has given 230 thousand dollars to the city of New Bedford to help move the project forward. Residents said they hope it will bring people from across the country to downtown New Bedford to explore more of the city's rich history. City officials hope to restore that legacy and honor the brave men and women who made that possible.