Austin Honors Baseball Legend Don Baylor with Park Renaming and Historical Marker

City officials say names matter in shaping community identity and belonging.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The city of Austin, Texas is renaming a local park to honor baseball legend Don Baylor and unveiling a new historical marker that details key moments, people, and struggles connected to the area. City officials emphasized that the name change and historical marker are important steps in aligning public spaces with principles of equity and respect, while also preserving truth in public memory.

Why it matters

The park renaming replaces a name associated with exclusion or harm with one that honors resilience, service, and cultural significance. Local historians and community members say this is more than just symbolic, as it shapes how the community understands its surroundings and who feels welcomed within them.

The details

The park renaming ceremony and historical marker unveiling are part of Austin's ongoing efforts to reckon with its history and ensure public spaces reflect the city's values of equity and respect. The new historical marker will provide visitors with important context about the area's history, including key moments, people, and struggles.

  • The park renaming and historical marker unveiling took place on February 15, 2026.

The players

Don Baylor

A baseball legend who played for the Austin-based Texas Rangers and later managed the Colorado Rockies.

Austin City Officials

Local government leaders who organized the park renaming and historical marker unveiling as part of the city's efforts to align public spaces with principles of equity and respect.

Local Historians

Experts who spoke about the importance of preserving truth in public memory through historical markers and fostering dialogue about progress and accountability.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Names matter because they shape how communities understand their surroundings and who feels welcomed within them.”

— Austin City Official (aframnews.com)

“Markers can educate generations while fostering dialogue about progress and accountability.”

— Local Historian (aframnews.com)

The takeaway

This park renaming and historical marker unveiling represent tangible steps by the city of Austin to align its public spaces with principles of equity and respect, while also preserving the truth of the area's history for future generations.