“A park named after philanthropists?” you ask. The Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith Park is more than just benches and a sitting area. It represents the generosity of two remarkable people. This park at 7020 Franklin Ave is a testament to their dedication to the arts and community.
Dorothy Jane Smith and her husband Benjamin B. Smith were passionate about giving back. Dorothy was an avid art collector and supporter of the arts. Benjamin was a successful businessman. Together, they made a significant impact on Los Angeles.
Dorothy Jane Smith’s generosity knew no bounds. She and Benjamin took advantage of the lithographs. They accumulated a collection valued in the millions. As her home filled with art, she donated hundreds of pieces. These donations went to museums across the country. One notable gift was a $1-million donation of contemporary prints. It went to the National Gallery. The Los Angeles County Art Museum has a gallery named for the Smiths.
Beyond the art world, Dorothy’s kindness extended to other areas. The Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith Park stands as a neighborhood haven. She helped sustain Bud Shulberg’s Watts Writers Workshop. She contributed to the Interracial Business Council’s founding after the 1965 riots. Earlier in her life, she established a halfway house for veterans.
Dorothy also had a green thumb. She turned her garden into a nursery. This was at the old Atwater Kent estate. She donated plants and shrubs to various institutions. These included the UCLA International Student Center and Pepperdine University. Cedars Sinai Medical Center received 400 prints. They were placed in patients’ rooms.
Dorothy was a founder and benefactor of the Music Center. She and Benjamin were among the first volunteers. They joined President Lyndon B. Johnson’s International Executive Service Corps in 1964. For two years, they helped businessmen in Ethiopia, Uganda, Pakistan, and Israel. They helped to improve profits and productivity.
The Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith Park is open from dawn to dusk. It is a place for relaxation and reflection. As you sit on a bench in the park, remember Dorothy and Benjamin Smith. They were philanthropists who made a difference in countless lives. Their legacy lives on in this small park. It serves as a reminder of the power of art, community, and giving.