In the year 1984, the City of Decatur acquired 3 acres of land on McCartney Street, NW. The plot of land was developed into a playground and was named McCartney Park. In 2004, the Parks & Recreation Board passed a motion to change the name of the park to A.C. Banks Park in honor of Ms. Athelyne Celest Banks. Ms. Banks devoted 42 years to education, 29 of those with Decatur City Schools. She served on several community boards to include the Decatur City School Foundation, Decatur General Hospital Foundation and the North Central Mental Health Board. In 1994, the Chamber of Commerce named Ms. Banks Humanitarian of the Year. In 2000, the National Conference for Community and Justice honored Ms. Banks for her community contributions and in 2001, Ms. Banks was presented the Decatur General Hospital Foundation's John A. Caddell Award. Ms. Banks has two other buildings in Decatur named in her honor, the Banks-Caddell Elementary School and the Athelyne C. Banks After School Academy.