Hadiya Pendleton Park (Chicago, Illinois)
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Illinois /
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Chicago, Illinois /
South Calumet Avenue, 4345
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This small playground is located in the Grand Boulevard Community. The park features swings, benches and water fountain. The park was formerly named Buckthorn Park.
In February, 2015, 2-years following the tragic death of Kenwood teenager, Hadiya Pendleton, The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners received a request to rename Buckthorn Park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton. Following a 45-day public notice the decision to rename the park was unanimous, among the board.
While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Taylor Park for recreation and enjoy the outdoor pool and get in shape at the Fitness Center.
History
The Chicago Park District transformed this once-vacant lot to parkland in 1969, and officially named it Buckthorn Park in 1974. The park was one of a number of properties named for trees and plants at this time. There are roughly 100 species of buckthorns, comprising both trees and shrubs. All are small in size, with spiny branches and fruit that resembles small berries. The berries are eaten by birds, thus dispersing the seeds. In April of 2015, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners renamed Buckthorn Park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton. At the time, plans were underway to expand the small playlot from less than a quarter acre in size to a 2 acre park. The Chicago Park District hired Planning Resources Inc. to design the enlarged park in a manner that honor the cultural heritage of Bronzeville and pay tribute to the park’s namesake. Plans include a new playground, interactive water feature, a walking path, and fitness stations. Features such as a “musical staff path,” sculptural seating to emulate books and musical instruments, and inscriptions in planters and knee walls will symbolize Bronzeville’s cultural heritage. The new park is considered a fitting tribute to Chicagoan Hadiya Pendleton (1997 – 2013). An honor student at King College Prep High School, Hadiya Pendleton was killed as the result of a senseless act of violence. While sitting under a shelter in nearby Vivian Gordon Harsh Park in January of 2013, Hadyia and her friends came under fire by gang members who had mistaken them as rivals. Only a few weeks earlier, Hadiya had performed as a drum majorette in President Obama’s second inauguration. Hadiya’s murder has brought national attention to the widespread gun violence plaguing communities throughout America. Her parents Nathaniel and Cleopatra Pendleton attended President Obama’s State of the Union Address in which he spoke passionately about the need for gun control. Michelle Obama has also made powerful speeches in which Hadiya served as an important symbol for the need to stop this violence. In a speech to students at Chicago’s Harper High School, the First Lady implored the audience to consider Hadiya a role model. She urged them to use their own lives to give meaning to Hadiya’s life.
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/hadiya-pendleton-park...
In February, 2015, 2-years following the tragic death of Kenwood teenager, Hadiya Pendleton, The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners received a request to rename Buckthorn Park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton. Following a 45-day public notice the decision to rename the park was unanimous, among the board.
While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Taylor Park for recreation and enjoy the outdoor pool and get in shape at the Fitness Center.
History
The Chicago Park District transformed this once-vacant lot to parkland in 1969, and officially named it Buckthorn Park in 1974. The park was one of a number of properties named for trees and plants at this time. There are roughly 100 species of buckthorns, comprising both trees and shrubs. All are small in size, with spiny branches and fruit that resembles small berries. The berries are eaten by birds, thus dispersing the seeds. In April of 2015, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners renamed Buckthorn Park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton. At the time, plans were underway to expand the small playlot from less than a quarter acre in size to a 2 acre park. The Chicago Park District hired Planning Resources Inc. to design the enlarged park in a manner that honor the cultural heritage of Bronzeville and pay tribute to the park’s namesake. Plans include a new playground, interactive water feature, a walking path, and fitness stations. Features such as a “musical staff path,” sculptural seating to emulate books and musical instruments, and inscriptions in planters and knee walls will symbolize Bronzeville’s cultural heritage. The new park is considered a fitting tribute to Chicagoan Hadiya Pendleton (1997 – 2013). An honor student at King College Prep High School, Hadiya Pendleton was killed as the result of a senseless act of violence. While sitting under a shelter in nearby Vivian Gordon Harsh Park in January of 2013, Hadyia and her friends came under fire by gang members who had mistaken them as rivals. Only a few weeks earlier, Hadiya had performed as a drum majorette in President Obama’s second inauguration. Hadiya’s murder has brought national attention to the widespread gun violence plaguing communities throughout America. Her parents Nathaniel and Cleopatra Pendleton attended President Obama’s State of the Union Address in which he spoke passionately about the need for gun control. Michelle Obama has also made powerful speeches in which Hadiya served as an important symbol for the need to stop this violence. In a speech to students at Chicago’s Harper High School, the First Lady implored the audience to consider Hadiya a role model. She urged them to use their own lives to give meaning to Hadiya’s life.
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/hadiya-pendleton-park...
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Hadiya_Pendleton
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 41°48'55"N 87°37'5"W
- Washington Park 1.5 km
- Midway Plaisance 3.2 km
- Jackson Park 3.6 km
- Ping Tom Memorial Park 5.2 km
- Meigs Field (site) 5.5 km
- Burnham Park 5.6 km
- Northerly Island 5.8 km
- Museum Campus 6 km
- Grant Park 8.1 km
- Douglas Park 9 km
- Grand Boulevard 0.3 km
- Bronzeville 1.1 km
- Oakland 1.6 km
- Kenwood 2.2 km
- Illinois Institute of Technology 2.2 km
- Lake Meadows Apartments 2.2 km
- Douglas 2.2 km
- IIT Residential area 2.3 km
- 31st Street Harbor 2.6 km
- Morgan Shoal 3.1 km