Malcolm X Park (formerly named Black Oak Park) is an urban park in West Philadelphia named in honor of Malcolm X. It is a six-acre park located around 51st Street and Pine Street.[1] The park is known for its jazz festival during the summer.[2] Black Oak Park was founded in 1903 and fully developed by 1910. The neighborhood was mostly white until black residents started moving to the community in the early 1950's. A city ordinance was passed in 1993 to change the name of the park to Malcolm X Park.[3] Former president of Friends of Malcolm X Park, Gregorio Pac Colujun, reported the park was segregated in the 1950s and 1960's and black children were required to play in a designated corner of the park.[4] The park was somewhat blighted and plagued by drug use in the 80's. Community efforts cleaned up the park in the early 90's.[3] The park's summer jazz series started in 1998.[4]
