Durham Park Signs Support Breastfeeding

The new sign at Solite Park at Fayetteville and Barbee roads in South Durham depicts a child feeding at a woman’s breast, with the message: “WELCOME – BIENVENIDA.”

It’s one of 17 signs distributed in parks throughout Durham, created by local artist L. Jamal Walton, a father and advocate for reproductive justice and inclusion. They’ve been installed in an initiative that brings together Durham Parks and Recreation with Breastfeed Durham and the Black Breastfeeding Coalition. It’s focused on “enriching East Durham and areas with high infant mortality rates, ensuring that families can feed their infants on demand in public spaces without fear of discomfort or discrimination,” according to the parks department’s blog post.

Walton’s art combines the language of comics with the theme of human milk feeding, while incorporating prominent Durham symbols, from the Durham bull to the Duke University chapel.

“We are proud to participate in this initiative to exhibit local art in our parks that depict an inclusive image and welcoming message to all lactating parents, fostering a broader understanding and acceptance of breastfeeding in public spaces,” said Mary Unterreiner of the city parks department. “Parents often ask ‘Where is it safe to breastfeed?’ These signs signal to the public that it’s safe in Durham’s parks.”

Love Anderson, co-founder of Breastfeed Durham, said the signs represent an important step toward inclusivity in Durham for all parents.

“Breastfeeding in public is not just a personal choice – it’s a critical public health issue,” Anderson said. “Our community has seen firsthand how discrimination and misconceptions about human milk can lead to harmful outcomes, including increased infant mortality rates. It’s heartbreaking that parents are often asked to cover up or move simply because they don’t fit certain societal expectations – whether due to their race, appearance, or how they choose to feed their child.”

Anderson has experienced this discrimination personally in Durham parks, she said.

“I know how important it is for us to visibly support lactating families,” Anderson said. “These signs are a public declaration that Durham values its breastfeeding and chestfeeding families and that we stand against any form of discrimination.”

Breastfeed Durham is hosting walk-in talks at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays during August – coinciding with National Breastfeeding Month. On Aug. 21, the event is at Merrick-Moore Park, 632 N. Hoover Rd. On Aug. 28, it’ll be at Twin Lakes Park, 439 Chandler Rd.

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