O’Hara council renames park
The Township of O’Hara Council’s vote to change the controversial name of Squaw Valley Park to O’Hara Township Community Park late Tuesday was met by cheers and tears of joy no less touching because they were virtual.
In a surprising move after its own parks and recreation commission two weeks ago said it would wait several months until more residents — especially those without internet access or skills — could attend a public meeting when the pandemic is over, the members decided to change it now. The council members took the action at their monthly workshop meeting, not even waiting for their next regular meeting on Tuesday.
Residents have complained that the term “squaw” is a racist and sexist slur referring to Native American women.
Fox Chapel Borough Council has tapped a committee to gauge residents’ views on similarly changing the names of Squaw Valley Road and Squaw Run East.
The O’Hara vote was 6-to-1, with Scott Frankowski voting no because he said he wanted to hold a public meeting on the matter. But he said he understood how it feels to be called names because of ancestry as he endured teasing and worse during high school because of his Polish heritage.
Still, the rest of the council did not want the park’s name to shame and hurt others or misrepresent their community any longer.
Council member Allison Berger called for the vote, saying, “This park is a representation of the O’Hara community.”
Charles Vogel agreed, saying, “We have to remove this word because it’s an insult to a segment of our community.”
George Stewart said the council has heard enough good information from residents and those knowledgeable about the name.
The issue was most recently brought to light when Michele Leonard, a Native American woman and 30-year resident of Fox Chapel, expressed a desire for the change. She was among the speakers at the Fox Chapel Area Kid-Friendly Peaceful Rally held at the park on June 11, attended by more than 100 area residents and students. Since then, the issue and Mrs. Leonard and other local people of all backgrounds have stepped forward in support.
Fox Chapel resident Melissa Compton, who has worked as an advocate for women and families her whole life, said she doesn’t want her children to use the word or any hurtful word and has instructed them not to use it. She started a petition online and said she was met with anger and opposition from people who do not support it. But the petition also had more than 1,000 supporters from throughout Fox Chapel.
O’Hara council then unanimously voted to honor the Native Americans who lived in the community, asking the parks and recreation commission to work with the Three Rivers American Indian Center in neighboring Indiana Township and Tom Powers, the township historian, to develop an educational program and an art installation that will bring the history of the park to life for visitors.
“It’s always the right time to do the right thing, and now is the right time,” said O’Hara Councilman John Denny.
These decisions brought Lisa Mitten, who represented the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, to tears.
“We’ve put up with this name in our neighborhood for quite a few years,” she said, “but what are you going to do?” She said when she drove by the sign or brought her granddaughters to the park to play, she’d try not to see it.
“We spend a lot of time at that park,” she said. “We call it the big park. I don’t want to have to explain it to a third generation.”
Fox Chapel council member Mandy Steele, who attended O’Hara’s meeting, said, “Earlier this summer, we heard a call to action from a courageous Native American resident. O’Hara followed through and removed the racist and sexist slur from their park. Their decisive action is inspiring.”