Hyattsville looks likely to rename Magruder Park after either a prominent local artist or the Native American tribe that once lived in the area.
After years of discussion, the city council received five recommendations for new names, but the clear frontrunners are naming it for David C. Driskell or the Nacotchtank tribe.
Driskell, who passed away last year from Covid-19, was a nationally recognized artist and curator who helped bring recognition to African-American art.
Supporters think he’s a good fit because he lived near the park and is one of the city’s most notable residents. Some feel it would also help rectify the fact that the park’s original deed included restrictions on African-Americans using it.
Driskell was the most popular of the 830 suggestions submitted by residents last fall.
Others think that the city should avoid naming the park after any individual, or honor Driskell in some other way. The frontrunner there is Nacotchtank, the name of the indigenous Algonquian people who were forcibly removed from the area in the 1600s.
Three other suggested names — “Gateway,” “Unity” and “Inspiration” — do not have much support.
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Nacotchtank is my personal preference, although Driskell is fine too.
What is the reason for renaming the park?
Don’t name the park
I think we should rename it to Hyattsville Park, that way all that has help build Hyattsville to where it is today. And all of citizen will be reconized
The park shouldn’t be named to recognize any particular person or group. The community is diverse with people of all types. Since the park is being renamed because of its racist overtone, the new name for the park should reflect and represent all who lives here. UNITY
Don’t rename the park.
I like Nacotchtank, but Driskell would also be good.
jim henson park would be better .. and known by millions …..
I like the idea to name it after the tribe that was driven out.
I agree with naming it Jim Henson park. There already is a memorial at the park for him. He is from Hyattsville and went to Northwestern High School and Md U. He represented the children growing up with
Sesame Street and it’s values. The park is about the children playing. It should have some meaning for them that they can relate to.. They have no idea who the other two are.
No! Name it after no one but the Nacotchtank! The original natives whom we took this land from.
We are taking the name of someone who donated the land for the park, however the Nacotchtank had it first!!! It was their land and should be rightly named.
I grew up in Hyattsville on 41st Ave. My friends and I played many hours in the park. Please DO NOT rename the park. Thanks to Mr Magruder for the park all those years ago…..
Actually, Jim Henson Park would be perfect, especially with the existing memorial tribute to him there.