Tucson Invites Community Feedback to Rename Columbus Park after Tohono O’odham Educator

The city of Tucson is inviting residents to weigh in on a proposal to rename Christopher Columbus Park to Danny Lopez Park, honoring the legacy of Tohono O’odham educator Danny Lopez.

In a letter addressed to Parks and Recreation Director Lara Hamway, community leaders including Azul Naverrete-Valera and Jolene Jose from the Tucson Native Youth Council emphasized that the current park name pays homage to a figure whose legacy includes the suffering of Indigenous communities. They urged that renaming the park would serve as “a step toward reconciliation and healing.”

Lopez, who passed away in 2008, dedicated over three decades to teaching the O’odham language and culture in various schools across Pima County. His commitment to cultural preservation reflects the ideals of inclusivity and empowerment that should characterize Tucson’s public spaces.

Support for the name change has been voiced by Councilmembers Lane Santa Cruz and Kevin Dahl, who noted their offices will share the estimated $10,000 cost for signage changes. Dahl remarked on the necessity of moving beyond the Columbus designation, reflecting on his past collaborations with Lopez at the nonprofit Native Seeds/SEARCH and through the radio show “Desert Voices,” where Lopez provided news in the O’odham language.

“They’ve proposed an excellent name for the park,” Dahl stated. The park, initially called Silverbell Park, was renamed in 1990 following a recommendation from the Knights of Columbus to commemorate Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.

The facility includes various amenities such as a baseball field, a dog park, a playground, picnic areas, Silverbell Lake for boating and fishing, and Archer Lake for radio-controlled boats.

A 45-day public comment period is now open, allowing residents to provide feedback on the proposed name change. This period commenced just before Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, leading up to the deadline on Monday, November 25, 2024. Comments can be sent to Tucson Parks and Recreation at the specified address.