[2] Black Oak Park was founded in 1903 and fully developed by 1910.

The neighborhood was mostly white until black residents started moving to the community in the early 1950's.

[3] Former president of Friends of Malcolm X Park, Gregorio Pac Colujun, reported the park was segregated in the 1950s and 1960's and black children were required to play in a designated corner of the park.

Community efforts cleaned up the park in the early 90's.

[3] The park's summer jazz series started in 1998.