Norwich ― For decades, people have walked and driven by the fenced-off, litter-strewn small vacant lot across from the Wauregan on lower Broadway.

Some wondered if anything would ever be done with the property.

Now, Castle Church, which leases the former Norwich Savings Society building that is part of the same property, is overseeing plans to create Jubilee Park in the space.

Castle Church spearheaded the creation of a mural depicting two prominent 19th-century African American Norwich citizens -- James Lindsey Smith, who escaped from slavery to settle in Norwich, and Sarah Harris Fayerweather, a student at Prudence Crandall’s school for African American girls and an abolitionist activist in adulthood -- on the church exterior wall.

On Saturday evening, residents will get the chance to view a three-dimensional conceptual plan for Jubilee Park and provide their own suggestions for how to turn the space into a vibrant gathering spot during city events and a welcoming space for residents, Adam Bowles, pastor of Castle Church, said.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. at Castle Church, 4 Broadway. Donations are encouraged to support the development of Jubilee Park.

The event will begin with the premiere of a 30-minute documentary done by Jono Wibberley on the creation of the mural and the journey last spring by Castle Church members to retrace the route Smith took in 1838 to escape slavery from Virginia to Norwich. Images of the 2020 social justice demonstrations in Norwich are also in the video.

Following the documentary, Castle Church member Robinson Charlotin and church musicians will perform his version of Sam Cooke’s song, “A Change is Gonna Come.” Representatives from the Yale Urban Design Workshop will unveil their conceptual model of one possible plan for Jubilee Park.

People are asked to register at https://castle.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1726588. Bowles said Thursday that more than 80 people have registered thus far.

The Yale Urban Design Workshop’s work was funded by a $15,000 grant from the Norwich Community Development Corp. and $15,000 raised from private sources, Bowles said.

The mural by Ben Keller, features large depictions of Smith and Fayerweather, mountains in the left background, a castle door at ground level in the center and a Norwich rose at the right. The mural wall faces Jubilee Park, now a grassy and concrete area, with terraced fieldstone features at the rear and a modern, curved white fence at the center.

Bowles said the white fence will be removed to make the area more open and inviting. He hopes the wrought iron fence lining the sidewalk, now gated and locked, also can be removed. The project would include a second mural by Keller on the building wall facing Broadway from the rear of the park. Bowles said the mural design will be done after the park features are finalized.

The Yale group learned that three buildings once occupied the spot, including a laundry, Bowles said. Some of that history might be incorporated into the park design, he said.

Jubilee Park already has been a centerpiece of some city events, serving as the end point of a march last week from the Amistad docked at the Norwich marina to downtown. During the inaugural NorWITCH Halloween event, the park housed a children’s play area with decorated model houses. Castle Church handed out free hot chocolate for the event.

“Our vision as a church is a place for healthy, social interactions,” Bowles said, “giving people a chance to get to know one another.”

c.bessette@theday.com