TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Community Services Director
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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Updated Park and Recreation Facilities Naming Policy
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RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt Resolution CSD 24-282, entitled: A Resolution of the Board of the Murrieta Community Services District, Rescinding the Policy for Naming Park and Recreation Facilities Ratified on April 5, 1994, and Adopting an Updated Policy for Naming Parks and Recreation Facilities.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On March 10, 1994, the Parks and Recreation Commission of the Community Services District (CSD) approved CSD Standard Operating Procedure No. 9 - Park Naming Policy.
On April 5, 1994, the Community Services District Board ratified the Parks and Recreation Commission resolution adopting a policy establishing procedures for the naming of parks and facilities (Vote: 4-0).
On January 26, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Commission obtained consensus in requesting that a discussion of the Park and Recreation Facilities Naming Policy be placed on a future agenda.
On May 4, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Commission appointed Commissioners Hunneman and Collopy as Ad Hoc Committee Members to participate in the review process of the Park Naming Policy and return any recommendations or modifications to the Board and staff (Vote: 4-0-1).
On March 7, 2024, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered the Committee’s recommended changes to the policy and recommended that staff move forward in presenting the recommended language modifications to the 1994 Park Naming Policy to the City Council as proposed by the Park Naming Ad Hoc Committee (Vote: 4-0-1).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
Early last year, there was consensus from the Parks and Recreation Commission to place the discussion of the Park and Facilities Naming Policy (Policy) on a future Commission agenda. Subsequent discussions ensued, and a Park and Facilities Naming Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) was formed to review the existing policy and make recommendations to the Community Services District Board/City Council on language modifications.
After researching and reviewing the current Park and Recreation Facilities Naming Policy, the Committee recommended that the following two lines in italics be included in the Policy:
Priority in naming sites or city-owned facilities may be given to geographical locations, a theme, historical significance, and individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to the incorporation and development of the City of Murrieta and the quality of life of the residents.
No park or facility may be named for a living individual.
These additions are consistent with the names of two existing City parks that are named for individuals who made significant contributions to the City of Murrieta. The first is Hunt Park at the Community Center on Juniper Street, named after Inez Hunt, who donated her five-acre property and home to be used as the Town Hall, now the Murrieta Community Center. She made the gift to honor the memory of her son, Milton Russell, who died in World War I. The second location is Sykes Ranch Park on Hayes Avenue, named after the Sykes family, who were original homesteaders and farmers in the area near Murrieta Valley High School. Amos Sykes was an original board member of the Cemetery District, which he helped to form in May 1938. The Sykes family was also once the owners of the Fountain House hotel near what is now New Clay Avenue at B Street in the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early part of the twentieth century. All other City of Murrieta parks are named after geography or the specific plan/development where the park is located.
The clean version of the Policy (Attachment No. 1) and the redlined copy of the proposed language modifications (Attachment No. 2) are attached.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with approving this item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. CSD 24-282
2. Park and Recreation Facilities Naming Policy - Redlined