Riverside’s Hunt Park was briefly named for actress Jane Russell – The Press-Enterprise

Riverside’s Hunt Park as it appears today. In 1955, the park was briefly named for actress Jane Russell before being renamed for Riverside civic leader Roy Hunt. (Photo by Steve Lech, Contributing Photographer)

In 1955, a brief skirmish arose over the naming of Riverside’s newest park, located at the northern intersection of Jackson and Garfield streets in the rapidly-suburbanizing Arlington area.

During the summer of that year, the city purchased about 15 acres for a park. The owners at the time were either the parents of or the brother of Jane Russell, the famous Hollywood movie actress and sex symbol of the 1940s and 1950s. Russell had appeared in several films, including “The Outlaw” and “The Paleface.” Her most enduring role came in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

Russell’s parents, Roy and Geraldine, had moved their family to the Burbank area of Los Angeles by 1930. Why they bought property in Riverside is unknown, but Jane’s brother Tom apparently lived in Riverside at least for a while. Regardless, by 1955, they were in a position to sell the property to the city for a park.

Immediately thereafter, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce began a push to name the new park “Jane Russell Park,” obviously using the actress’ notoriety to bring attention to the area. The Arlington chamber convinced the city’s parks board to go along with the idea, sometimes mentioning “Jane Russell Park” and sometimes shortening it to “Russell Park.”

By the end of September, it was time for the city council to vote and there was some discussion and apprehension about the name. A few on the council wanted the park to be named for someone who had accomplished a great deal for the city instead of someone who was simply famous. Others liked the idea of the notoriety that naming a park for a Hollywood star would bring.

In the end, on Sept. 28, the council, in a 4-3 vote, approved the name of Russell Park for the new park. However, the controversy was not over.

At the very next council meeting on Oct. 5, things became heated. The ordinance formalizing the name had to be voted on, and at least one councilmember and others in the audience were incensed at the proposed name. Motions and countermotions ensued. One councilmember almost left the hearing. Two other names were proposed – Oscar Crowell and J. G. Winship, both longtime Arlington residents.

The council ended up sending the matter back to the chamber and the parks board for further review of the Crowell and Winship names. The parks board, however, balked at the proposed names and continued advocating for Russell Park.