Gregory Brooks

This is an oral history interview with Gregory Brooks conducted by Ingrid Fogle in Brooks’ home on July 29, 2025. Reared by his mother and a Korean War veteran father in a residence established in 1957 in the Oak Hill neighborhood, Brooks’ life is characterized by a profound connection to Douglass Park. Following his graduation from Arsenal Technical High School, he pursued a collegiate football career at Kansas State University and Ellsworth Community College before matriculating at Indiana University, where he earned a degree in Parks and Recreation. Upon his return, Brooks committed 39 years of professional service to the Indianapolis Parks Department, including a ten-year tenure as director of Frederick Douglass Park. He emphasizes the park and neighborhood’s cultural heritage and historical weight. Although he acknowledges socioeconomic challenges including rising crime and housing shifts, he maintains an optimistic outlook, honoring the area’s legacy while advocating for its future.