Lyon Park emerged early in the 20th century when the West End grew beyond its southern boundary along Morehead Avenue. Many early residents of Lyon Park were African-Americans who worked in tobacco factories and hospitals or as domestics, teachers, merchants and artisans. The neighborhood bounded by Cornell Street, Morehead Avenue, and Lakewood Avenue takes its name from the neighborhood school built in 1929.

The Lyon Park Community Association works to address residents' concerns and has fostered neighborhood clean-ups, a community watch and youth activities. 

In November 1996, a Durham bond referendum allocated $6.4 million to support the renovation of the old Lyon Park School to create the Calvary Ministries of the West End Community Family Life & Recreation Center. With a variety of partners, the center houses programs such as GED preparation, tutoring, child development services, recreation, senior daycare, summer and after-school youth enrichment, and performing and visual arts opportunities.

Neighborhood Partnership efforts in Lyon Park include: the Lyon Park Clinic – a cooperative effort between Lincoln Community Health Center and Duke’s Community and Family Medicine Department; Project H.O.P.E., playground construction, and neighborhood clean-up and celebration days. Lyon Park is represented in the Southwest Central Durham Quality of Life Committee, facilitated by Mayme Webb-Bledsoe in Duke’s Office of Community Affairs. The grassroots committee’s goals include increasing affordable housing options, celebrating the history of its six neighborhoods, strengthening neighborhood nonprofits and encouraging cooperation among businesses.

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