Malcolm X Park (Philadelphia)
Malcolm X Park (formerly named Black Oak Park) is an urban park in West Philadelphia named in honor of Malcolm X. It is a six-acre park located around 51st Street and Pine Street. The park is known for its jazz festival during the summer. Black Oak Park was founded in 1903 and fully developed by 1910. The neighborhood was mostly white until black residents started moving to the community in the early 1950's. A city ordinance was passed in 1993 to change the name of the park to Malcolm X Park. Former president of Friends of Malcolm X Park, Gregorio Pac Colujun, reported the park was segregated in the 1950s and 1960's and black children were required to play in a designated corner of the park. The park was somewhat blighted and plagued by drug use in the 80's. Community efforts cleaned up the park in the early 90's. The park's summer jazz series started in 1998.
See also
References
- ^ "Malcolm X Park".
- ^ "Jazz, art undeterred by summer heat".
- ^ Lee, Nathaniel (June 15, 2016). "Sweet sounds now emanating from West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2024.