Abstract Lyman S. Parks (1917-2009) was the mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1971 to 1976. He was the first African American to serve as mayor in Grand Rapids and was also the first African American elected as city commissioner. This collection was created by staff of the local history department at the Grand Rapids Public Library in anticipation of Park's retirement and recognition banquet on May 2, 1986. The collection contains Grand Rapids Press newspaper clippings, correspondence,...