This playground honors Paul Dunbar (1872-1906), an accomplished and prolific African American poet. A popular and respected figure in the Dayton's Central High School Community, Dunbar served as Editor-in-Chief of his school newspaper, president of the Literary Society, and received praise for his poetry. Upon completion of high school, Dunbar was forced to accept a job working as an elevator operator, where he attempted to sell his poetry to people who rode the elevator.