WILMINGTON — Community members joined the family of James “Jim” Xidas to celebrate the official opening of Xidas Park in downtown Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 5. Lori Williams, City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation Director, and Mark McKay, Wilmington City Council member, reviewed the history of the project and thanked the many who worked tirelessly to make this park a reality.
Tony Xidas, the son of James and Katherine, spoke for the family gathered at the official opening of the park.
“On behalf of my family and mom, it’s great to have our name associated to the park,” he said. “My mom and dad spent fifty years of their life trying to make a living with the ‘hat’. Many people came through here and, throughout the years, became extended family.”
“James, Jim, Xidas was a kind and gentle man and provided encouragement to young people and let them play their music,” said Mark McKay as he was thanking the group of individuals who came to the dedication.
Mark Elliott, owner of The Escape and park neighbor, presented a set of personalized bricks to the Xidas family. Elliott had salvaged the bricks when the Manhattan building was razed to make way for the new trail connector and park. The Xidas Park serves as a connecting point between the Q-Path, which leads to Wilmington College and Southeast Community Park and the Luther Warren Peace Path. The park is the first installation of improvements to improve the Sugartree corridor.
Overall, the day was beautiful and very much represented the strength of the community and of the people in it.
Tony Xidas said it best with his closing: “The thing that made my dad the happiest was when he was in his club on a Saturday and the band was playing and people were having a good time. You could see the joy on his face with that smile. Well, it’s Saturday and the park has a crowd and I can see my dad with a smile on his face.”
