Harold Washington’s 100th Birthday Celebration in the Park

The Chicago Park District held a party with a purpose during Earth Day to commemorate Mayor Harold Washington’s 100th birthday. The event occurred at Harold Washington Park, one of over 600 parks in Chicago and aptly named for our first Black mayor. It was a special occasion to acknowledge all he had accomplished for the city. 

The audience enjoyed unseasonably warm weather for April in Chicago and great music by Jazz Links Ensemble as we waited for the festivities to begin. Also performing were the Wolfpack Cheerleaders.

Alderman Leslie Hairston, who serves the ward where Harold Washington Park is located, credited Mayor Washington with inspiring her as a college student to become a political organizer during his first run for the mayoral office. She introduced Rosa Escareño, acting Park District superintendent, who acknowledged Friends of the Parks for their cleaning efforts. Escareño also recognized the Harold Washington Legacy Committee, which started planning for the occasion 13 years ago. “We are the stewards of green and work very closely with the mayor and her team to expand the green footprint of our city,” she said. She reminded us how Washington’s concern for the environment prompted an increase in parks under his leadership. She also stressed the need to teach the youth the importance of maintaining the parks.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated, “Harold left us a blueprint. It’s very important that we continue to uplift his legacy and carry the baton forward.” She announced a planned $188 million investment in equity-focused climate and environmental programs that will allow for the planting of 75,000 trees over the next five years. “We want to make sure that neighborhoods all over our city are lush and green,” she added.

Andrea Smith of the Harold Washington Legacy Committee proclaimed, “Not only are we honoring his legacy, but we are planting seeds of renewable, recyclable green hope for a sustainable, equitable future.”

Darva Watkins of the Harold Washington Foundation recalled her days as a campaign volunteer for the former mayor. “He believed in responsibility and integrity. We must take his legacy to another level by working with our youth and all races of people.”

The ceremony ended with a young Black girl giving a speech on Harold Washington’s history from his birth. She finished with this: “I believe Washington left a legacy by paving the way for people of color in Chicago to have a seat at the table in our city government. This mattered in the 1980s and is still true in 2022.”

Afterwards, mayor Lightfoot and others dug dirt in preparation for planting a horse chestnut tree in Washington’s honor that will sit near a park rededication plaque. According to Mayor Lightfoot, the tree serves as a “symbolic replacement and living monument for Mayor Washington and a small token of appreciation for all his incredible work to make the city more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming.”

This culminating event was an excellent way to remember Harold’s life and honor his legacy!