Grace Murray Hopper Park

The Arlington County Board Monday approved "Grace Murray Hopper Park" as the name of the new 1.5 acre (6,000 m²) public park located in front of River House Apartments on South Joyce Street.

The park is named after U.S. Navy's Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper who lived at the River House for approximately 20 years and was a pioneer noted for her contributions to the development of computer systems, including the invention of the Cobol programming language. Her work also led to the first practical compiler, a program that translates instructions from a programmer into more specific codes to be read directly by computers. In September 1991, President George Bush awarded her the National Medal of Technology for her pioneering accomplishments in the development of computer technology. The USS Hopper is named in her honor.

Arlington County Board Chairman Barbara Favola, said, "It is a pleasure that we can honor both a long-time Arlington resident and a pioneer in American history. It is a fitting tribute to her memory."

The naming process was a joint effort by the Park and Recreation Commission, the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board, the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee, the Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge Civic Associations and the management of River House Apartments.

A descriptive plaque, to be paid for by the H Street Building Corp., the original landowner and developer of the park, will be placed at the site pending final approval of the language by the Park and Recreation Commission.

(Press release ~ Arlington County (Virginia) Monday, December 18, 2000)