Maxwell Kennedy Rodes (1905-1960) was a member of a Melbourne pioneer family who served on the Brevard Board of County Commissioners from 1939 to 1960. He was chairman of that board for eight years, and was greatly responsible for the formation of the county's Recreation Department. Mr. Rodes graduated from Melbourne High School in 1922, where he was a pitcher for the school's baseball team. He played baseball, basketball, and other sports while attending the University of Florida in 1924 and 1925. Back in Melbourne after college, he worked in the grocery business with his uncle, John B. Rodes, who was also a Brevard County Commissioner. He was a member of the 1924 Melbourne Magnolias, a semi-professional baseball team from Brevard County. He was married to Gladys Kindel, and had three children. Shortly after his death in 1960, the Greater West Melbourne Recreation Committee unanimously voted to name the original 18-acre park on Minton Road in his honor. In July 2011, the name of the park was transferred to a new 134-acre park located at the west end of Flanagan Ave. behind the original park.

Max. K Rodes was a member of the 1924 Melbourne Magnolias baseball team.