Supervisor Barger Recognizes Jackie Robinson’s Family, Friends of Jackie Robinson Park in Honor of Juneteenth

In honor of Juneteenth, Supervisor Kathryn Barger recognized the family of Dodgers legend and Pasadenan Jackie Robinson and the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park from Sun Village during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. 

“Juneteenth reminds us of the hard-fought commitment to justice for all people,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “I’m thankful to the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park for keeping the tradition of Juneteenth alive to educate our communities and invite them to celebrate its meaning. It’s so fitting that their festivities are held at the historic Jackie Robinson Park, whose namesake was a beacon of hope for equality.”

As a Pasadena native, Jackie Robinson had roots in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District. Kathy Young Robinson, daughter of Olympic silver medalist Mack Robinson and Jackie Robinson’s niece, spoke of the importance of carrying on her family’s legacy. 

“Our family appreciates Supervisor Barger and the Board of Supervisors for having us here and celebrating Uncle Jackie and the historic Jackie Robinson Park in the Antelope Valley,” Kathy Young Robinson said. “I am here in memory of my dad, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here sharing and continuing my family legacy.” 

Jackie Robinson Park opened in 1965 in Sun Village and was the first park in the U.S. to be named after Robinson, first African American player in Major League Baseball.