GRAND BOULEVARD — Fans of a South Side park named after a famous jazz musician — only not the one you're thinking of — plan a dedication ceremony this weekend for a new playground.
The Armstrong Park Advisory Council will hold a community event it's calling "Presence in the Park" from noon-4 p.m. Saturday. The event will also celebrate the recent planting of 100 new trees in the park, located at 4433 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) is expected to attend the playground dedication, along with representatives of the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Parks.
According to Ruby Haughton of the advisory council, the event will also welcome a bounce house, also known as the Jolly Jumper. Those attending are encouraged to picnic. Water will be available, and food trucks are expected to be in the area as well.
Dedicated as Armstrong Park a decade ago after previously being known as Park No. 492, it was named not for Louis Armstrong, but for his wife, Lillian Hardin Armstrong, a famed jazz pianist in her own right who performed on his early Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, during a campaign to recognize prominent Chicago women.
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