Naming DC's Longest City Park After Marvin Gaye

April 2, 1939 -- April 1, 1984

Marvin Gaye is one of the greatest musical legends ever to come out of Washington. He began his musical life as a boy while living at #12 60th Street, NE near the green space lining the stream known as Watts Branch. Neighbors recall him regularly walking down the hill from his home to the Greenfield section of the Park to play music beside the stream. These natural experiences in his childhood might have inspired him to sing about environmental justice in such world-renowned songs as "Mercy, Mercy Me, Ecology" and "What's Goin' On".

Naming the park in his honor will remind people from all over the world of the special heritage, culture, and significance of the surrounding community and parkland, and give respect to the tens of thousands of DC residents who, like Marvin Gaye, grew up through adversity in public housing. The naming will also serve as a powerful inspiration for people of all ages and walks of life, starting with the young people of Marvin Gaye's own home community, to pursue their greatest dreams.

View or download our Marvin Gaye Park Guide.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission Legislation

The naming of Marvin Gaye Park will be a dramatic opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage of Ward 7, to pay tribute to all those who grew up in public housing and this community, to inspire and support the talented young people of the surrounding neighborhoods and across our city, and to pay lasting tribute to Washington's forgotten native son. Just as Marvin Gaye's music never forgot the place where it began, that place can never forget Marvin Gaye.

Whereas the park system lining Watts Branch stream, represented by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7-C, is the longest municipal park in Washington, D.C.;

Whereas this park system is undergoing the largest community park revitalization in DC history, led by hundreds of our residents in partnership with the DC government, Washington Parks & People, and many other organizations;

Whereas, although individual nodes of this park system have names such as Lady Bird Meadows, Martin Luther King Nature Sanctuary, Heritage Green, and the Greenfield, DC has no signs giving the name of this entire park system, and it needs a name of which our entire community and city can be proud;

Whereas Marvin Gaye began his life of music here in our community and park, playing music in the Greenfield section of the park as a teenager when his family lived at #12 60th Street, NE, in East Capitol Dwellings, and later performing next to the park in the old Crystal Room owned by Barnett’s Caterers;

Whereas Marvin Gaye’s legacy is a tribute to our community and an inspiration to thousands of community volunteers of all ages who have worked to bring our once forgotten park system back to life;

Whereas, over 20 years after his death, Marvin Gaye’s songs, inspired by his years growing up here, continue to touch the hearts of millions around the world with his pleas for social and environmental justice in legendary songs like “What’s Going On?” and “Mercy Mercy Me Ecology”;

Whereas the District of Columbia has major facilities named after other native son musicians, including the John Phillip Sousa and Duke Ellington Bridges, yet it has never so recognized Marvin Gaye;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7-C reaffirms its previous vote in support of naming the park system lining Watts Branch stream after Marvin Gaye, and calls upon the Council of the District of Columbia and the Mayor to enact legislation formally naming this park system “Marvin Gaye Park”;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be transmitted to Mayor Anthony Williams and Councilmembers Vincent C. Gray of Ward 7 and Kathy Patterson of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation for immediate action.

Read more about the Down By The Riverside Campaign at Watts Branch Park,
or find out how you can make a difference through an online contribution or by volunteering in the park!