Tinicum supervisors pursue renaming of township park to honor Lenape history; public input planned

James Blayden, chair of the Tinicum Township Parks & Recreation Committee, told the Board of Supervisors on March 3 that the committee is proposing to rename Tinicum Township Community Park to a historically meaningful Lenape name, with a preferred option of "Lappawinzoe Community Park" (also referenced as "Lappawinsoe Park"). Blayden said the change would reduce confusion with the county-owned Tinicum Park and serve as an acknowledgment of the Lenape people and local history, including the contested 1737 Walking Purchase that displaced Lenape communities in the region.

Chairperson Eleanor Breslin said she supported soliciting public input and specifically recommended consulting the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania before finalizing any name. The board discussed next steps: Parks & Recreation will contact the Lenape Nation, plan an informational naming ceremony and consider placing an item on a May primary-day township survey, accompanied by explanatory materials at polling locations so voters can learn why a name change is being proposed.

Supervisor Todd Quinby proposed an alternative name, "Walking Treaty Park," but Blayden cautioned that the Lenape would likely object because the Walking Purchase was not a fair agreement. Committee members and board supervisors agreed the next steps should include community outreach and direct engagement with Lenape representatives; any final decision will follow that consultation and resident feedback.

The proposal is still at the outreach stage: the board has not made a final naming decision and indicated it would weigh community responses and the Lenape Nation's input before taking formal action.