Renaming of Driskell Park
City Council passed a resolution in June 2021 to rename the now former William Pinkney Magruder park as David C. Driskell Community Park. The initiative to rename the park was set in motion after a discovery that the original 1927 park deed contained racist and restrictive language. The deed was updated to strike that language and a new park name was chosen using over 800 suggestions from the Hyattsville community.
The park's new name honors former Hyattsville resident David C. Driskell, a preeminent artist, historian, curator, and scholar of African American art. He was a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Maryland and his artworks are displayed in museums across the country and have been hung at the White House. Mr. Driskell passed away in April 2020 from COVID-19.
You can learn more about the renaming process through the press releases below -
Read the May 4, 2021, press release about the motion to rename the park after Dr. David C. Driskell.
Read the June 7, 2021, press release about the resolution to legally change the park name to David C. Driskell Community Park.
Dedication Ceremony
On October 8, 2022, the City hosted a day-long celebration to formally dedicate the park as David C. Driskell Community Park. The day's events included a panel discussion on the life and legacy of David C. Driskell, an outdoor art gallery, nature walks, community art activities, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The outdoor gallery, wish trees, and weaving looms created for the event are still up for public viewing.