CHICAGO — A proposal to rename West Chatham Park after NBA star Derrick Rose has been withdrawn following intense pushback from residents, many of whom said they were never informed of the effort in the first place.
Ald. William Hall (6th) officially rescinded the request in a June 20 letter to the Chicago Park District, admitting it stemmed from what he called a “clerical error.”
“There was a misinterpretation of the process,” Hall said. “Once there was clarification, I clarified it with the community.”
Community Outrage After Park Renaming Proposal Emerges
The proposal came to light during the Park District’s May 14 board meeting, where officials launched a 45-day public comment period on a potential renaming of the park at 8223 S. Princeton Ave. Community members said they were blindsided.
Among the ideas floated for renaming: Derrick Rose Park, suggested by a Simeon Career Academy representative during a May 17 community meeting.
Rose, a Simeon alumnus and former Chicago Bulls MVP, has deep ties to the South Side, but he did not grow up in West Chatham. Some residents pointed out that he is more closely associated with Englewood’s Murray Park, which he personally helped renovate.
“To rename the park after Derrick Rose and he has nothing to do with it, that’s ignorant,” said Amena Muhammad, interim president of the West Chatham Improvement Association.
Residents Say They Were Ignored
Despite the Park District’s request for community feedback, Hall did not attend the May 17 meeting held by the Improvement Association — a move that many residents viewed as dismissive.
“Everyone felt like [Hall] wasn’t listening to them,” said Muhammad. “You don’t just brush us aside like we’re peasants.”
Neighbors quickly launched a petition campaign, collecting seven pages of signatures from local residents opposing the renaming.
Park Renaming Guidelines Bar Naming After Living Persons
Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons clarified that under city rules, parks can only be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least one year — ruling out names like Derrick Rose or even Chance the Rapper, another local favorite raised during the discussions.
Still, some residents said if the park were to be renamed, Chance — a West Chatham native and community activist — would be a more appropriate choice.
“At least he grew up here,” Muhammad said, citing his nonprofit SocialWorks, which supports youth through art and education.
Public Comment Still Open Until July 3
Though Hall has officially pulled back the proposal, the public comment period remains open through July 3, and the Park District will still review all submitted feedback before making a final determination.
Hall now says he hopes to explore other ways to honor influential community figures, potentially through events or installations at West Chatham Park — though he says he is “not ready to articulate” what those plans look like yet.
Do you live in Chatham or nearby? What name — if any — do you think best represents your community park? Share your view at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and make your voice part of the conversation.
