A park in Bronzeville could be renamed to honor Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old King College Prep High School honor student and band majorette who was gunned down in 2013 a week after performing at President Obama's inauguration, casting a national spotlight on Chicago violence.
The Chicago Park District is looking to rename Buckthorn Playlot Park after Hadiya, who lived a couple blocks away from the park. Officials plan to discuss the proposal at Wednesday's park board meeting.
"It's a big deal," her mother Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton said by phone.
Having a park in Hadiya's name can help keep her memory alive, particularly for future generations who may wonder who Hadiya was and why a park is named after her.
"It'll give them an opportunity to look into it and see she was a great kid and wanted the best for people and for everyone," Cowley-Pendleton said. "To have a place that can spark that conversation means a lot."
The park would not only pay tribute to Hadiya, but her father Nathaniel Pendleton also said, "I think it would be a great asset to the community."
The plan is to expand the playground at 4345 S. Calumet Ave. from two-tenths of an acre to a two-acre park. The $1.68 million park will include a new playground, water feature, a dog-friendly area and fitness stations. The design of the park will reflect the neighborhood's rich arts history, including a "musical staff path," as well as sculptural seating to emulate books and musical instruments, according to the park district.
"Naming the expanded park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton is not only a fitting tribute to a talented high school student, but also an important symbol of Chicago galvanizing against gun violence and rallying in support of safer neighborhoods," according to the park district naming proposal.
Hadiya was killed at Harsh Park, less than two miles from the Bronzeville park that is expected to be renamed for her and about a mile away from President Obama's home in Kenwood.
"It was a tragic event that brought Hadiya Pendleton's name to the minds of everyone in the country and in Chicago," said Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd).
Renaming the park would be a celebration Hadiya's life, she said. "It's an opportunity to remember that she lost her life tragically but also lived it to the fullest," Dowell said.
The mayor's office said the idea of renaming a park in Hadiya's honor came up in a discussion led by Mayor Emanuel who wanted to commemorate her life. Emanuel's office worked with Dowell, the community and the Pendleton family in selecting Buckthorn Park, which was named by the park district in 1974 for the trees and plants there.
The park expansion would be funded by $1.1 million in open space impact fees, $200,000 in tax increment financing assistance, $200,000 in surplus funds from the 2012 NATO summit and the remainder coming from the park district.
There's a 45-day waiting period for the public to comment, meaning the official naming request could be approved by the park board at its April meeting.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.
