CHICAGO — A South Side park that was expanded and renamed in honor of Hadiya Pendleton has been dedicated to the slain teen.
Pendleton was 15 years old when she was gunned down in Vivian Gordon Harsh Park in the 4500 block of South Oakenwald Avenue in 2013. Pendleton had performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration just weeks before her death, and her slaying drew international attention.
Early Saturday, Pendleton's family, friends and city officials gathered to cut the ribbon for Pendleton Park, 4347 S. Calumet Ave., and dedicated it to the girl's memory. Vonzell Banks, a 17-year-old killed in the neighborhood earlier this year, is also honored at the park.
“Hadiya Pendleton Park is a place for the community where neighbors can gather, children will play and memories are made,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, according to a city news release.
The park has a "musically themed walkway," sculptures, performance stage and seating and a playground, the city said.
The park was formerly called Buckthorn Park.
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