Tucson Neighbors Rally to Honor Community Organizer Kha Dang with Garden Naming

In Tucson, a visit to the Botanical Gardens with Kha Dang feels like a curated experience. Sporting his American flag baseball cap, Kha greets every visitor with a smile, making frequent stops to chat with longtime employees or highlight the garden’s native plants he’s watched flourish over the years. He shares heartfelt memories of the garden where he used to stroll each morning with his late wife, Sharon.

It was here that Kha met John Rhodes in 2004. Newly retired, Rhodes had joined the Botanical Gardens to launch the butterfly exhibit. Kha’s extensive knowledge and deep-rooted connections left a lasting impression. They collaborated on creating enclosures for butterflies and educational displays for visitors.

“He seemed to know everybody so I made it a point to get to know him: I was impressed by his knowledge and dedication,” Rhodes remarked. “I saw that he was involved in everything.”

In recognition of Kha’s community involvement, the Garden District Neighborhood Association (GDNA), where Kha once served as vice-president and treasurer, is advocating to name a plot at 1933 N. Bell Ave. as “Kha Dang Park”.

The city acquired the parcel, which had been a community garden since 2011, in May. For Brad Holland, a co-founder of the GDNA and a longtime friend of Kha, naming it after him seems fitting.

Born in Hanoi, Kha immigrated to the U.S. in 1957 on a scholarship to study political science at St. John’s University in Minnesota. He learned English from a dictionary and children’s books. After graduating, he moved to Minneapolis and worked at the airport as a photography enthusiast documenting plane damage.

An illness of his roommate led to frequent hospital visits where he met Sharon, a nurse aide. Their relationship blossomed, even when Kha moved to El Paso to teach French. They corresponded daily and married in 1967.

The family eventually settled in Tucson, where they had a son, David, in 1971. Sharon pursued a journalism career, while Kha ran a computer business.

In 1975, post-Vietnam War, Tucson saw an influx of Vietnamese refugees from Camp Pendleton. Kha, directing the Vietnamese Refugee Program, mobilized local churches and businesses to assist with jobs, housing, and schools for the newcomers.

“The culture is different, the language is different, everything is different,” Kha explained. He established a center for refugees to help them navigate their new surroundings.

In 1986, Kha moved to the Grant/Alvernon area, which later became the Garden District. He co-founded the MidTown Neighborhood Association, now the GDNA, transforming and beautifying the area plagued by crime and neglect.

Through GDNA, Kha led projects to improve parks and advocated for a public library, resulting in the Martha Cooper Library’s establishment in 2006. He also became known as “the king of clubs,” initiating various clubs for local children.

Kha created clubs for chess, origami, gardening, computer skills, and bike repair, and helped establish and coach the Pima Junior Soccer League.

“Underserved populations, the children of immigrants and refugees, ended up finding their way to Kha for their interests,” Holland said.

Around 20 years ago, Holland bought a property near Swan Road and Pima Street. Abandoned after a market crash, the plot became a community garden in 2011 with GDNA’s help. Kha’s dedication was pivotal to its success.

“He would come to every event, with a camera, capturing every moment. It wasn’t a party at the garden unless he was there,” Holland recalled.

Now 84, Kha feels honored by the proposal to name the park after him. “That they nominated me for that, to leave my name in a place like that, I’m happy,” Kha said.

The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public feedback on the proposal over the next 45 days. Comments can be submitted by mail to Tucson Parks and Recreation at 900 S. Randolph Way until August 23.