Should Hyattsville’s Magruder Park Be Renamed for the Late Artist David Driskell?

With cities around the country pulling down Confederate statues and recognizing Juneteenth, debate over renaming Hyattsville’s largest park has been renewed.

Magruder Park is named for former mayor William Pinckney Magruder, who donated 32 acres of land for it. But in 2018, the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation noted that the deed said the resulting park should be for “Caucasian inhabitants only.”

CDC Executive Director Stuart Eisenberg says he has found no information on who added the restriction, but it has led some to call for renaming the park.

As Route 1 Reporter noted in May, the city council has directed its lawyers to looking into a legal way to change the park’s name, since it is also mandated on the deed. But what to rename the park remains up in the air.

One obvious suggestion is Jim Henson, the University Park resident who went to school in Hyattsville before creating the Muppets. A small tribute to Henson can already be seen in the park.

In recent days, users of the HOPE in Hyattsville listserv have suggested two other possibilities: Morgan Wootten, the legendary basketball coach at DeMatha Catholic High School who died earlier this year, and David Driskell, the esteemed African-American artist and University of Maryland professor, who died from the coronavirus in April.

As one user noted, Driskell lived just a few blocks from the park and the area is currently designated an arts district. It would also be a particularly apt way to atone for the park’s original sin to rename it for someone who was pivotal in bringing national recognition to African-American art.

The renaming will be discussed at the Family March for Black Lives to be held at Magruder Park from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27, which was rescheduled from from this Saturday due to the weather.

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10 responses to “Should Hyattsville’s Magruder Park Be Renamed for the Late Artist David Driskell?”

  1. martymassage says:

    I fully support the renaming of this park. Yes, I grew up in Hyattsville and associated the word MacGruder with fun times at the park. But guess what, I’m capable of learning new information and I’m capable of growth. If you grew up with fond Memories of Hitler Park and then one day realized who Hitler was, wouldn’t your view change? I think all three candidates for alternate changes are nice choices, but I think Drisckell would be most appropriate.

  2. W. Jackson says:

    Re-Naming the park to honor Mr. Driskell would certainly be in keeping with our community’s “arts” brand and a well-deserved nod to his work and influence related to fine art and in particular art by African American artists, not just here but nationwide and around the world.

  3. OGauge4Me says:

    Are there any stipulations in the deed that become active if the park is renamed?

  4. Michael Theis says:

    Route 1 Repórter noted the city has moved to file a quitclaim deed to remove the segregationist deed clauses underlying Magruder’s donation. This move does not address or explore a renaming of the park. The city has not yet taken legal action to rename the park,though Council has previously directed city staff to research its options in this area.

  5. resabi says:

    I like the idea of Driskell as the name, especially because of the arts connection.

  6. Chris Gaiser says:

    I think it would be wonderful if the park were renamed in Memory of David Driscoll. He was a resident of Hyattsville and and a renown artist. And he was a professor @ the University of Maryland!.Perfect!

  7. Areana says:

    My family would be honored to have the park we all grew up in as children named after our father, grandfather. David Driskell’s Legacy will forever live on regardless of the decision made. But none the less my answer is YES!

  8. KZ says:

    Was this racist condition added by the state of Maryland or by Magruder himself? Does anyone have any proof of who authored this “condition”

  9. Daviryne Driskell -mcNeill says:

    Having a park that provides nature combined with harmony in its natural settings is what our father David C. Driskell would see as beauty. Our parks are parts of the environment that all should have the opportunity to enjoy. David Driskell saw nature as a part of us that must be nurtured, and cherished as beauty to be here for all.

  10. Jan says:

    Renaming the park the David C. Driskell Park makes the most sense. Dr. Driskell has been a Hyattsville resident for well over 50 years. He remains well loved and known in the community. Driskells children grand children and great grand children still resides in Hyattsville also. He was an African American educator, art curator, and devoted family man who work up until his seasoned age until becoming ill. All walks of life and class codes can relate to the very deserving and humble lifetime Hyattsville resident, David C. Driskell. Mr. And Mrs. Driskell have been married for almost 70 years. Driskell is a stellar example for young men, families and community. During these times of unrest; Hyattsville and the world needs to see accolades to local role models bestowed locally. Mr. Driskell was a peaceful man. May his lifetime of peace remain a fixture within the Hyattsville community.

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