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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Renaming Bear Valley Park 2 and Mapleton Trails
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RECOMMENDATION
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Ratify new park and trail names as follows:
1. Bear Valley Park 2 to Englemann Oak Park
2. Mapleton Tract Trail A to Floral Loop Trail
3. Mapleton Tract Trail B to Mapleton Loop Trail, and
4. Mapleton Tract Trail C to Keller Point Trail.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On March 10, 1994, the Murrieta Parks and Recreation Commission adopted a policy for naming park and recreation facilities.
On April 5, 1994, the Community Services District Board ratified the Commission resolution adopting a policy establishing procedures for the naming of parks and facilities.(Vote: 4-0).
On March 7, 2024, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that staff present the updated Naming of Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy to the Community Services District Board as proposed by the Park Naming Ad Hoc Committee (Vote: 4-0).
On August 20, 2024, the Community Services District Board of the Murrieta Community Services District adopted Resolution No. CSD 24-282, revising the Naming of Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy (Vote: 5-0).
On March 6, 2025, the Murrieta Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the Community Services District Board of the Murrieta Community Services District ratify the renaming of park and trail names as follows:
• Bear Valley Park 2 to Englemann Oak Park;
• Mapleton Tract Trail A to Floral Loop Trail;
• Mapleton Tract Trail B to Mapleton Loop Trail; and
• Mapleton Tract Trail C to Keller Point Trail.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
A clear and concise naming policy (Policy) for parks and facilities is essential for fostering a strong sense of community identity and ensuring ease of navigation for residents and visitors alike. Well-thought-out names not only reflect the character and history of an area but also provide practical benefits by minimizing confusion and creating a unified framework for recognizing and locating public spaces. The Community Services Board’s past efforts to establish a consistent Policy ensure that names are meaningful, relevant, and accessible, enriching the experience of those who enjoy the City’s cherished community resources. According to the Policy, the Park and Recreation Commission (Commission) will be responsible for the selection of names for parks and recreation facilities. Once a name is selected, it will be forwarded to the City Council for ratification.
Below is a summary of the Policy guidelines:
• No park shall be given a name which may be perceived as controversial by the community;
• Names may consider geographical locations, themes, or historical significance;
• No park or facility may be named for a living individual; and
• If named for a person, the individual must have made a significant financial contribution toward the acquisition and/or development of the park or facility or has been an outstanding long-time community leader who has supported open space and recreational activities.
Per the policy, staff is bringing before the City Council, functioning as the Community Services District Board (Board), the following recommended names forwarded by the Commission:
• Bear Valley Park 2
Bear Valley Parks 1 and 2 were transferred from Riverside County when the City assumed oversight of existing parks and common areas from County Service Area 143 on July 1, 1993, two years after the City’s incorporation. Bear Valley Park 1 already has a monument sign with its name.
Bear Valley Park 2, located off Rustic Road and Calle Cipres to the south and Bending Oak Court to the north, in the Bear Valley tract, is a passive park spanning approximately four acres. The park includes a grove of oak and pine trees, featuring a rare Englemann oak, alongside a small, flat turf area. Other than a lone picnic area, there are no additional prominent amenities. Notably, there is no monument sign at this site that requires replacement.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that Bear Valley Park 2 be renamed Englemann Oak Park.
• Mapleton Trail A
This trail borders the mitigation area to the north of the Mapleton tract, with an access point from Whitewood Road (just before the Menifee city limits) as well as from several cul-de-sacs. It is predominantly straight, except for a turnaround loop at the end. Cul-de-sac names in this area are inspired by plants and flowers, such as Cyclamen, Delphinium, Eugenia, Honeysuckle, Iris, Marigold, Nandina, Poppy, Shamrock, Thyme, and Zinnia.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that Mapleton Trail A be renamed Floral Loop Trail.
• Mapleton Trail B
This “lollipop” trail encircles Mapleton Park. Users enter at one end, complete the loop, and return along the same path. Entry points are located at both Shamrock and Poinsettia Streets.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that Mapleton Trail B be renamed Mapleton Loop Trail.
• Mapleton Trail C
This trail follows a Southern California Edison easement, extending approximately 1,500 feet from Petunia Street to Poinsettia Street. The trail crosses Poinsettia Street and continues until Keller Road. Its layout is entirely linear, without loops or alternate pathways.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends Mapleton Trail C be renamed Keller Point Trail.
FISCAL IMPACT
At this time, there is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Should new signs be installed, there may be a future fiscal impact depending on the size and material, estimated at approximately $2,000 to $10,000.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Naming of Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy
2. Vicinity Map for Bear Valley Parks 1 & 2
3. Vicinity Map for Mapleton Trails A, B, C