The park is named in honor of longtime neighborhood resident Dick Hazeltine, considered by many as a "founder" of the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood. For several decades, he has been at the forefront of many neighborhood improvement initiatives, including the building of the community center, establishing the neighborhood watch program, and organizing neighborhood clean-ups. His tireless efforts resulted in the development of the Nehalem property into a neighborhood park.
On December 1, 2018, PP&R held a nature patch "ribbon cutting" and park rededication with Johnson Creek Watershed Council and neighborhood champions, who have worked tirelessly to improve the park since PP&R acquired the property in 2001. The park was named to honor lifelong Brentwood-Darlington residents, Dick and his late wife Opal Hazeltine. During the dedication, a tree was planted in Opal's memory.