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Council names pavilion, ball field, court and Safe Haven building at MLK Park to honor local leaders
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Summary
Hammond's council adopted ordinances to name four Martin Luther King Jr. Park facilities for local figures — Maxine Dixon, Leon Blue McCray, Wilford Don Steptoe and Dr. Clara V. Robinson — citing their service to the community.
The Hammond City Council unanimously approved ordinances on April 14 to name four facilities at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in honor of long‑time local figures.
Council members presented each naming during the public hearing, noting the contributions of the honorees. The pavilion will be named the Maxine Dixon Pavilion in recognition of Dixon as the second African American woman elected to the local school board from District 1. The south ball field will be named for Leon Blue McCray, credited with providing youth baseball and a semi‑pro league for African American youth, and the basketball court will be named for Wilford Don Steptoe, who coached at Hammond High and served as a park supervisor. The Safe Haven Building will bear the name of Dr. Clara V. Robinson, noted as an educator and the first African American woman elected to the local school board in the district.
Each ordinance was moved, seconded and approved during the regular session. Council members emphasized the role of the honorees in youth sports, education and community service and noted family ties to District 1.
All four ordinances were adopted at final vote in the same meeting; no public objections were recorded in the hearing record.
