After serving six years in the U.S. Navy, Pierce returned to the District and founded a youth club that he dubbed the Ontario Lakers: Ontario after Ontario Place and Lakers after the basketball team in Los Angeles. Pierce sold Christmas trees on an Adams Morgan corner to raise funds for the Ontario Lakers. “It certainly was Walter’s dream and Walter’s vision.”Pierce and Nahikian — trailed by kids wearing Ontario Lakers uniforms — went to Capitol Hill. We are colonists subject to the outside will of Congress.”ADADThe park — known as Community Park West — was officially dedicated in 1977. “We’re interested, we want to do something for others, and we want to build this community.”Next week: Answer Man goes beneath the surface at Walter Pierce Park.

Source: Washington Post August 22, 2020 20:15 UTC