In July 1982, the park was temporarily closed for renovation. Among the facilities installed in the park include the amphitheater, craft village cottage, fishing village, comfort rooms, and a water and lighting system. The park was then reopened on February 21, 1983, as the Lungsod ng Kabataaan Recreational Park. The current name of the park was a consequence of Ministry of Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 4 which was issued in 1986. The renaming was made to honor Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. whose assassination in 1983 led to the People Power Revolution of February 1986 which deposed President Marcos and saw the installation of Corazon Aquino as president.