Consider the vibrant sounds of jazz and blues. They once filled the air near here. This is Dinah Washington Park. A tribute to a phenomenal vocalist. She left an indelible mark on American music.
Dinah Washington Park sits at 8215 S. Euclid Avenue in Chicago. It is a green space in the South Chicago community. The park is named after Dinah Washington. She was a singer and a Chicago resident. Dinah Washington Park is one of four Chicago Park District parks. All four parks are named after persons surnamed Washington. It is also one of 40 Chicago Park District parks. These parks are named after influential African Americans.
Let’s step back in time to understand the park’s origins. The Chicago Park District acquired this land in 1972. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helped. The park was meant to provide recreational space. It served an underserved area of South Chicago.
Originally, the Park District named it Redbud Park in 1974. Many parks at that time were named after trees and plants. But the name didn’t stick. Later, it was renamed Dinah Washington Park. This was part of an initiative. The initiative aimed to recognize significant Chicago women.
Who was Dinah Washington? Born Ruth Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa Alabama, she moved to Chicago as a child. Her mother played piano at St. Lukes Baptist Church. Young Ruth learned to play piano as well. She started winning amateur music contests. She also performed with gospel singer Sallie Martin in 1940.
In 1942, she joined Lionel Hampton’s big band. This is when she started using the name Dinah Washington. Her rise to stardom began. She recorded albums with several record companies. She worked with jazz greats. These included Clifford Brown, Clark Terry and Lockjaw Davis. By the late 1950s, she became a pop star. Her hits included “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” and “Unforgettable.”
Known as the “Queen of Blues,” Dinah Washington won a Grammy Award in 1959. The award recognized her Best Rhythm and Blues Performance. Sadly, she passed away in 1963. Thirty years later, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Dinah Washington stamp. The park is about two miles from her former home. She bought it in the 1950s at 82nd and Vernon Ave.
Today, Dinah Washington Park is a vibrant place. It is 0.47 acres. It features a modern playground. There are swings, slides and climbing equipment. Families enjoy relaxing and playing here. The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
So, as you stand here, remember Dinah Washington. Her voice echoes through the park. This small park honors a big talent. Dinah Washington Park is more than just a playground. It is a tribute to a musical legend. It celebrates community and history.