HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2005-051 Naming of Public Parks / Parks & Recreation Related Facilities PolicyRESOLUTION NO. R-2005- 51
A RESOLUTION establishing policies and procedures relating to the naming
of public parks and parks and recreation related facilities.
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the designation of names for
public parks and parks and recreation facilities should be approached
cautiously, with forethought and deliberation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further believes that the setting forth by
resolution of policies and procedures relating to the naming of public parks and
parks and recreation facilities is in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission endorses the
establishment of policies and procedures relating to the naming of public parks
and parks and recreation related facilities, and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Division, under the supervision of
the Parks and Recreation Manager, shall plan and implement parks and
recreation programs and maintain and operate public facilities for use and
enjoyment of the public, now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima are hereby authorized
and directed to implement the following "Policy Establishing Names for Public
Parks and Parks and Recreation Facilities" for the City of Yakima.
Section 1. It is the policy of the City of Yakima to choose names for public
parks and parks and recreation facilities based upon the site's relationship to the
following criteria:
a) Neighborhood, geographic or common usage identification;
b) A natural or geological feature;
c) An historical figure, place, event, or other instance of historical or
cultural significance;
d) An individual (living or deceased) or group who has made a
significant land and/or monetary contribution to the parks system or
who has had the contribution made "in memoriam;" and when the
name has been stipulated as a condition of the donation;
e) An individual who has contributed outstanding civic service to the
City of Yakima primarily in the area of Parks and Recreation and
who has been deceased for a period of at least one year.
Section 2. The City Council shall designate the names of public parks and
parks or recreation facilities. The City Council shall make its selection after
receiving a recommendation from Yakima's Parks and Recreation Commission,
based upon public input from individuals and organizations. If a contest or
competition is to be held to determine the name of a parks or recreation facility,
the Parks and Recreation Commissioners shall establish guidelines and rules for
the contest.
Section 3. A park's interior features and/or facilities may have names
other than that of the entire parks. These names are subject to criteria designated
in Section 1 above.
Section 4. A name once adopted should be bestowed with the intention
that it will be permanent • • • - • - • • • e •
Section 5. Following selection of a parks or parks and recreation facility
name by the City Council, the Parks and Recreation Division will identify the
specific parks or facility by appropriate signing specifying the name.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 22nd of
ATTEST:
City Clerk
2
March
, 2005.
WIC
Paul P. George, Mayor
Memorandum
March 14, 2005
To. Honorable Mayor & Members of the Yakima City Council
Dick Zais, City Manager
From: Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works
Denise Nichols, Parks And Recreation Manager
Re: Policy and Procedures for Naming Public Parks and Parks and Recreation
Facilities
Introduction
The naming of parks and other public facilities is an important part of establishing a
sense of community within any city. The right name can create images of the past, draw
attention to important community landmarks or honor the lives of distinguished citizens.
Determining the best name for a given facility can be a difficult and potentially
controversial process.
It is in the best interest of the City of Yakima and the community to establish a clear
process for naming new facilities in advance of bringing any new facilities on line. Such
a process must include ample opportunity for public participation.
In researching other municipalities, their written policies agree on three primary naming
criteria:
1. Geographic or neighborhood location;
2. Historical or cultural significance;
3. Natural or geological features.
The most critical and potentially volatile criterion concerns how parks may be named for
people. It should be noted that most municipalities try to avoid naming parks for
individuals, though none disallow it entirely. Policies allow naming for an individual
primarily in three instances:
1. If an individual is an historic figure;
2. If the individual has contributed land or money for the purposes of
establishing a park; or
3. If an individual/group has performed outstanding civic service for the benefit
of the parks and recreation system.
To name a park for a donor individual or one who has performed outstanding civic
service, some agencies require that the individual be deceased for one to three years.
Others allow naming for a donor only if it is stipulated as a condition of the donation.
To name a park for an individual as an honor for outstanding civic service, most agencies
require a delay of six months to two years from the time of nomination if the individual
has died recently. No delay is required for donors when the name is a condition of the
donation.
The only agency to mention allowing parks to be named for retiring governmental
officials was the City of Renton. The City of Bellevue has a policy of not naming for
governmental officials. This policy is not stated explicitly, but by omission. Bellevue's
policy does not contain criteria for outstanding civic service — parks may only be named
for donors or historical figures.
Other Considerations
An important aspect of a park name is that it be used by the general public. To ensure
that this does take place, it would be prudent to research the background of the land
parcels proposed for or included in the park proposal. A name should be concisely
constructed so that it will not be intentionally shortened.
Another potential complication is the influence of interim or working names. These
names tend to be retained unintentionally. This is not necessarily improper, since a
working name may also be the most appropriate one. (Examples: South 2nd Street Park,
Cherry Park) A park name should be chosen early in the acquisition/design process.
Decision Responsibility
This area is the most uniform among municipalities. Usually, the Parks and Recreation
staff does the primary research and "name gathering" in every organization. Proposals
are submitted to a Parks and Recreation Commission for recommendation. Final
approval rests with the City Council.
Public Input
The solicitation of public input into a park naming decision is required standard
procedure in most municipalities.
The most common method of obtaining public input is the use of Parks and Recreation
Commission or public meetings. Other practices mentioned are contests, questionnaires,
and a list of people who required to be acknowledged and recorded for consideration.
Name Changes
Once officially approved, a name should be considered permanent and name changes
should be strongly resisted. Tacoma allows changes to be made if circumstances are
exceptional and if historical or common usage names wouldn't be violated.
Names associated with the property appearing on maps for greater than 50 years or
associated with registers of historic places should not be changed.
In the event of a name change proposal where the new name would honor an individual,
several procedures may be taken. Initially, the Council should determine whether it is
timely to consider naming a certain facility in honor of a local citizen, or the Council
could delay the decision for a period of 120 days or more from the initial consideration to
diminish the steam of emotional events and ensure a rational process. The request is
then referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration and
recommendation. During this period of time, the Parks and Recreation Commission or
Council could encourage the submittal of additional names for current or future
consideration.
Naming Features Within a Park
In the past, this practice has been discouraged, however, it is more common now with the
possibility of seeking sponsors for certain elements with in a park facility. In Yakima,
we have allowed interior features to be named. (Example: Helen Jewett Kitchen at the
Harman Center). Interior names should not detract from the primary park name. In most
cases, naming features within a park/facility does not require Council approval.
Yakima's Past Practice
Most recent park names have been in recognition of major donors who have contributed
financially (Harman Center at Gailleon Park).
A few parks within our system are recognized by street address, which allows the
potential for a name change in the future. (South 2nd St. Park, South 6a` Ave. Parkway,
Cherry Park).
Currently, there are two requests for naming a park. The first is to honor Ed Putnum who
was a longstanding Parks Superintendent in Yakima. The second request was presented
to Council to name a park after long serving council members (20 + years). Both
requests are on hold until a resolution and policy is established and approved by Yakima
City Council.
Attachments
1. Policy and Procedures
2. List of Parks and their Names
Attachment 1
Policy and Procedures for Naming Public Parks
and
Parks and Recreation Facilities
1.0 Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedures and criteria
for the official naming of parks and parks and recreation facilities.
2.0 Policy:
2.1
It is the policy of the Yakima Parks and Recreation Division to
follow Resolution Number of the Yakima City Council and
to properly name public parks and other parks and recreation
facilities with the intention of naming being permanent.
2.2 In naming public parks and parks and recreation facilities,
consideration shall be primarily given to the following criteria:
A. Neighborhood, geographic, or common usage
identification;
B. A natural or geological feature;
C. An historical figure, place, event, or other instance of
historical or cultural significance;
D. An individual (living or deceased) or group who has
made a significant land and/or monetary contribution
to the park system or who has had the contribution
made "in memoriam;" and when the name has been
stipulated as a condition of the donation;
E. An individual who has contributed outstanding civic
service to the City of Yakima primarily in the area of
Parks and Recreation and who has been deceased for
a period of at least one year..
3.0 Authorization:
3.1 The Park and Recreation Commission shall review all requests for
naming public parks and parks and recreation facilities and shall
make a recommendation to the Yakima City Council who shall
have final authority to name or rename a public parks or parks and
recreation facility.
4.0 Procedure:
4.1 In the acquisition of park facilities, address (or number) designation
shall be used until the formal naming of the park facility.
Whenever possible, naming shall be made prior to completion of
purchase or construction of the park or facility.
4.2 Suggestions for names shall be solicited from individuals,
organizations, the community and neighborhood at -large. Media
cooperation should be encouraged. All suggestions shall be
acknowledged and recorded for consideration by the Parks and
Recreation Commission.
4.3 To avoid duplication, confusing similarity, or name
inappropriateness, the Parks and Recreation Division, in
considering name suggestions shall review existing local building,
facility, business names, and residential project titles and
identification.
4.4 The Parks and Recreation Division will make every effort to contact
and solicit comments from surrounding property owners,
residents, and/or affected parties before taking action on any
naming or renaming of parks or recreation facilities.
4.5 The Parks and Recreation Division shall provide appropriate public
notice on any naming actions in conjunction with other agenda
items for regularly scheduled Parks and Recreation Commission
meetings. A period of not less than 30 days shall be provided for
any written public comment on any naming action. The Parks and
Recreation Commissioners shall provide an opportunity for public
comment on any naming action.
4.6 Following a public review at a regular meeting and the conclusion
of the public comment period, the Parks and Recreation
Commission shall forward all naming or renaming actions to the
Yakima City Council along with a formal recommendation.
4.7 The Yakima City Council, upon receipt of a recommendation from
the Parks and Recreation Commission, may hold a public hearing
prior to any final action.
4.8 The Yakima City Council shall approve any naming or renaming
action by resolution.
4.9 The Parks and Recreation Division, upon approval of the naming
or renaming action by the Yakima City Council, shall implement
name changes for designated parks and recreation facilities. The
Parks and Recreation Division shall notify and acknowledge those
who have submitted the adopted suggestion. The Parks and
Recreation Division shall also notify appropriate offices, agencies,
and the media. Upon City Council denial of a name or name
change, the Parks and Recreation Division shall notify those who
sponsored the name change.
4.10 A name, once adopted, should be bestowed with the intention that
it will be permanent, and changes should be strongly resisted.
4.11 Changes of names for parks and recreation facilities should only be
approved when they do not alter historical or common usage
names.
4.12 Historical names placed on designated landmarks listed on the
Washington State Register of Historic Places and the National
Register of Historic Places shall not be changed.
5.0 Criteria for Exceptional Community Service
5.1 Outstanding service shall be performed in one or more of the
following categories:
A. Involvement in the betterment of Parks and
Recreation facilities and/or programs which contribute
toward the quality of life for the citizens of Yakima.
B. Involvement in a leadership role in civic
organizations which are devoted to community
improvement.
C. Assistance to the underprivileged, economically
disadvantaged, physically and/or mentally
handicapped.
D. Actively promoted and directed community events
and activities which have clearly added to the
enrichment of the quality and quantity of cultural life
within the community.
E. Actively promoted and implemented effective youth
programs and activities within the community to the
City's young people.
F. Actively promoted and implemented effective
programs and activities within the community for the
senior citizens of the community.
G. Assumed an active leadership role in developing and
implementing programs directed to the improvement
of the visual aesthetic appearance of the community
and the commercial, public or residential level.
6.0 Signage
6.1
H. Assumed an active leadership role in developing
programs and/or facilities for collecting, promoting
and retaining the many aspects of the natural or
historical heritage of the community.
I. Assumed an active leadership role in developing
programs and facilities directed toward the
improvement of community social and health needs
as well as programs directed toward humanitarian
purposes.
Public parks and parks and recreation facilities shall be identified
by the established name, and signs shall be installed and
maintained by the Parks and Recreation Division as a source of
identity and public pride.
Attachment 2
Parks and Their Names
(The following lists the origins of Yakima's parks as determined primarily
through deeds and news papers clippings in Parks and Recreation's historical files.
In most cases, the names were selected by the Metropolitan Park District prior to 1969.)
Central Business District
Cherry Park Used to be Owyee Park.
Chesterley John F. Chesterley, Park Commissioner.
Eisenhower Named for the high school which was named for Dwight D.
Eisenhower, U. S. President.
Elks Park Originally Fruitvale Park. Renamed in 1964 when the Elks
Lodge donated $13,000 for major improvements.
Fairbrook John and Mar Jean Fairbrook, two principals in the L.B.
Andrews Company which donated the properties to the
Metropolitan Park District in 1967.
Fisher Golf Course Earl M. Fisher, long-time member of the Metropolitan Park
District.
Franklin Park
Gailleon Park
Located on land originally called the Franklin Park
Addition according to legal descriptions for various parcels.
Adjacent to Franklin Junior High.1954, named Lions
Centennial Park in honor of Lions Club. 1957, renamed
Franklin Park in response to complaints from citizens.
Gail and Leona Clevenger, parents of David Clevenger
who donated the land to the City for a park. Stipulated in
deed.
Gardner Stephen C. Gardner, owner -operator of Gardner Oil
Company, community supporter and donor of the property.
Gilbert Park Elon Gilbert donated the Warehouse and land to the City.
Harman Center John and Wauna Harman. (Their foundation funded
construction of the building.)
Kissel Park Emil Kissel, long-time Metropolitan Park District
employee and, then, superintendent.
Kiwanis Park Kiwanis Club, donors of original property.
Larson Park Donated by Rose B. Larson with stipulation that it be called
Larson Park.
Lions Park Recognizes Lions Club's generous support of City park
system. Plaque at pool commemorates Mer Edmondson,
long-time Park Commissioner.
McGuinness Park Dr. Don McGuinness, local pediatrician and park board
member.
3/16/05
Martin Luther King Park
Miller Park
Milroy Park
Naches Avenue Parkway
Perry Soccer Complex
Portia Park
Powerhouse Canal Pathway
Randall Park
Raymond Park
Rosalma Garden Club Park
Southeast Community Park
South 2nd Street Park
South 6th Avenue Parkway
Summitview Park
Tahoma Cemetery
Tieton Terrace Park
Walter Ortman Parkway
3/16/05
Martin Luther King. Originally called Washington Park.
Originally known as City Park or North 4th Street Park.
Originally known as Lincoln Park. Named for Judge Robert
Bruce Milroy, Yakima pioneer, well known citizen and
one-time owner of the property.
Naches Avenue, land that was platted in 1885. One of first
established park properties.
J. M. Perry (Institute), owner of property.
Dedicated in 1946 to the Portia Club, a women's
organization long interested in the park.
Powerhouse Canal, one of the area's original canals. The
powerhouse, an original source of electricity for the City, is
at Lincoln and 20`h
Ray Randall, local grocer and owner of the property.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Raymond, prominent and generous
citizens. He was member of Artificial Ice and Fuel for
about 30 years. The firm donated the land.
Rosalma Garden Club. In recognition of the time, money
and effort expended by the ladies in developing the park.
Southeast Community which developed the park and the
center.
Dedicated to the memory of Bernard and Dora Wilkinson
who owned and lived on the property from 1888 to 1930.
Mount Rainier.
"Un -Named" Parks
Cherry Park
North 41h Avenue and Cherry
Naches Avenue parkway
Naches Avenue from Race Street to 1 Street
North 44th Avenue Park
Lincoln and North 441h
South 2nd Street Park
South 2"d Street and Race
South 6th Avenue Parkway
South 61h Avenue and Tieton
Summitview Park
11`h Avenue and Summitview
Tieton Terrace Park
South 26m Avenue and Walnut
3/16/05
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9
For Meeting of March 22, 2005
ITEM In LE: A Resolution Establishing Policies and Procedures Relating to the
Naming of Public Parks and Parks and Recreation Facilities
SUBMITTED BY: Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Denise Nichols, 575-6020
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The naming of public parks and other parks and recreation facilities is an important part of
establishing a sense of community within a city. The attached memorandum and resolution
establishes a clear process for naming new parks and parks and recreation facilities for
existing non -named parks.
Resolution X Ordinance Other (Specify) Memorandum
Mail to (name and address): N/A
Funding Source N/A Policy Issue
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff respectfully requests Council to approve the
Resolution establishing policies and procedures relating to the naming of public parks and
parks and recreation related facilities.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Parks and Recreation Commission
unanimously approved this resolution and procedures at their March 14, 2005 Commission
meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2005-51