It’s time to rename christopher columbus park
The time to rename Tucson’s Christopher Columbus Park is long overdue, and after much consideration and thought through an Indigenous led initiative, it’s clear that the park should instead be named after Danny Lopez, a respected Tohono O’odham elder, educator, and protector of traditional Tohono O'odham culture, knowledge, and language. Danny Lopez passed away in 2008, yet his teachings live on through the community members and students he taught for generations. Renaming the park after Danny Lopez not only honors his enduring legacy, but it also recognizes the resilience of Indigenous people, especially that of the Tohono O’odham Nation whose ancestral homelands include Tucson. Help us to rename the park by speaking up and sharing your thoughts with the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor and Council during the 45-day comment period to rename the park!
The comment period began on Friday, October 11, 2024. Submit your comments to Parks and Recreation Director Lara Hamwey via mail or email before the deadline on Monday, November 25. Original letters are ideal, but we have a letter drafted that you can use for ease.
Letters can be submitted by mail to:
Tucson Parks and Recreation
Attn: Public Comment - Christopher Columbus Park Renaming
900 S Randolph Way
Tucson, AZ 85716
Original comments are ideal, but we have a draft email that you can use for ease.
Comments can be submitted by email to:
• parksandrecreation@tucsonaz.gov
CC
• Ward1@tucsonaz.gov
• Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
Additional Links
About Danny Lopez
Danny Lopez, Tohono O’odham, was born in the O’odham village of Ge Oidag (Big Field), sixty miles west of Cukson (Tucson). He served in the United States Marines Corps after graduating from St. John’s Indian School. In the 1970s, along with other O’odham, he co-founded the Desert Indian Dancers and continued on with the teaching of traditional songs and dances with other groups such as Topawa Middle School, Indian Oasis School and Ge Oidag Village.
In 2004, he was the first recipient of the Heard Museum’s “Spirit of the Heard” Award for his commitment in preserving Tohono O’odham culture. Danny received many accolades and acknowledgements for his work which was also his passion. He was invited to speak and sing at many events such as the Inauguration of Governor Janet Napalitano and give a blessing for the Dalai Lama.
Danny co-hosted a weekly 30-minute bilingual radio show on KUAT Desert Voices, keeping O’odham informed of news and events along with traditional music. At the time of his passing, Danny studied for his PhD at the University of Arizona while he continued to be an educator and mentor to many. The work he has done has had a long lasting effect, even after sixteen years of his passing, good words about who he was and what he did still resonate among the community.
When Danny spoke about life and culture, he was encouraging; when he sang, he was captivating, breathing life into melodic words about desert life and the ocean. It was a good thing.
(Photo © Martha Lochert Photography)
(Photo © Martha Lochert Photography)