This area was the location of the infamous Plastimet fire that happened in 1997. In the years that followed, it went through an extensive environmental clean-up and in 2003 it was opened as a park and named after one of Hamilton's favorite sons.
Welcome to Jackie Washington Rotary park
Jackie Washington (1919-2009) was a Jazz/Blues/Folk musician who grew up in Hamilton not far from here. He was a grandson of a runaway slave, and one of fifteen (15!!!) children. His seven decade performing career started at the age of 5, and in addition to his own albums, he appeared on recordings by Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. He played at Hamilton's 'Festival of Friends' a record 29 years. He was also the first black Canadian DJ, starting at CHML in 1948.He was nominated for a Juno award in 1993. In 2002 Jackie Washington was inducted into the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame.