HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2434 - Adopting a policy for commemorative naming of parks and park propertyCITY OF MARYSVILLE
Marysville, Washington
RESOLUTION NO . 2: Lf 3 f
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE,
WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A POLICY FOR COMMEMORATIVE NAMING
OF PARKS AND PARK PROPERTY.
WHEREAS , the Parks , Culture, and Recreation Advisory Board has studied practices for
commemorative naming of parks and park property and voted to approve a policy for the city
council's consideration; and
WHEREAS, the city council finds that adopting a policy delineating definitions ,
responsibilities, and procedures for the commemorative naming process is in the public interest ;
and
WHEREAS, the policy recommended by the Parks, Culture , and Recreation Advisory
Board should be adopted as the city's policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MARYSVILLE that the attached commemorative naming policy is adopted to guide
decisions regarding naming Marysville 's parks .
ADOPTED by the City Council at an open public meeting this __ 1_'2-__ day of
Fe.,VJrt.tA~ , 20 \~.
CITY OF MARYSVILLE
~ -J By __ ~-0--==~N~E~H~R~IN=-G-,~M~~~-y--•<----~
Attest:
By 1hY/A_ ~ck---
\1 YL4... 8l..Dc1L_ , DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved as to form:
By ~KER , CITY A TIORNEY
City of Marysville Commemorative Naming Policy for City Parks and
Park Property
Commemorative naming refers to the naming of a property in recognition of
geographic, cultural, natural and/or geological features or in honor of outstanding
achievement, distinctive service, or significant community contribution, generally
without financial consideration. Naming rights refers to the granting by the owner
the right to name a piece of property or portions of a property usually granted in
exchange for financial consideration.
This policy is intended to cover commemorative naming. A companion policy
regarding naming rights, once developed and approved, will address requests to
name park and recreation facilities in exchange for financial consideration.
The City of Marysville finds that it is in the best interest of the community to
develop a formal process for requests to commemoratively name parks and
recreation facilities, including designated features or elements within a park or
facility. The City deems it desirable, and in the public interest, to establish a set of
guidelines and procedures for the selection of names for parks and recreational
facilities. It is a function of the Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Advisory
Board to make recommendations to the City Council about the naming of parks,
trails, open spaces, recreation areas or other facilities.
The purpose of this policy is to provide a systematic and consistent approach when
considering commemorative naming proposals for parks, facilities, and related
features with park and recreation areas. It addresses as-yet unnamed parks and
recreation facilities as well as renaming of existing parks and recreation facilities
under certain limited circumstances.
1.0 POLICY
It is the policy of the Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department to:
1.1 Ensure that parks, recreational areas, facilities and features within such areas
are easily identified and located.
1.2 Ensure that given names to parks, recreational areas, facilities and features
are consistent with the values and character of the area or neighborhood served
and avoid names similar to or duplicative to existing parks and recreation facilities
or indoor /outdoor feature.
1.3 Encourage a commemorative naming process to occur and name assigned
prior to construction of new park and recreation facilities. In the absence of any
naming requests, interim placeholder names may be assigned by the Parks,
Culture and Recreation Director or designee, when property is initially acquired or
purchased but shall comply with this commemorative naming policy.
1.4 Encourage neighborhood and public participation in the commemorative
naming, renaming and dedication of parks, recreation areas and facilities using
print, broadcast and electronic media, including direct mail, public opinion and
on-line surveys, public forums, etc. No persons shall be prohibited from proposing
or requesting a commemorative name nor excluded from participating in the
naming process for any reason.
1.5 Encourage the dedication of lands, facilities or donations by individuals and/or
groups.
1.6 Ensure commemorative naming recognition will be compatible with the
physical attributes of a location.
1.7 Ensure proposals or requests for commemorative naming comply with
established policies as described herein or subsequently amended.
1.8 Discourage commemorative naming referencing a living person except when a
significant gift or donation of land and/or financial contribution is made and the
donor stipulates naming the park or recreation facility as a condition of the gift(s).
As applicable, such circumstances shall be coordinated with local foundation(s) or
community non-profit organizations, or other entity facilitating such gifts.
1.9 Discourage proposals or requests for renaming of existing park and recreation
facilities. Renaming of such assets carries greater burden of process, as tradition
and continuity of name and community identification are important community
values.
Only those parks and recreation facilities named for geographic, cultural, natural
and/or geological features or subdivision shall be considered for renaming. No
asset shall be renamed if the name was a condition of a gift, donation or deed
restriction and the noncompliance with that condition would invalidate the gift,
donation or deed.
1.10 Reject commemorative naming requests that propose a name associated
with an individual or family who sells a property to the City for fair market value,
unless the seller stipulates naming the future park or recreation facility as a
condition of the sale.
1.11 Only consider commemorative naming requests or proposals of individuals
deceased for at least 1 year or greater from the individuals' recorded death.
1.12 Ensure commemorative naming requests or proposals not conflict with the
terms and conditions of any existing City lease, tenant agreement or other
contract.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
2.1 Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department {MPCR) -Parks, Culture
and Recreation administrative office managed by a Director who oversees
programs to provide park, trail, open space, sports fields, recreation services and
cultural arts. The Director is authorized to administer policies directing business
decisions for the department, including the Commemorative Naming of Park and
Recreation Facilities policy. The Director, at their sole discretion, may designate
responsible persons to manage assigned programs and services.
2.2 Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Advisory Board (MPCRAB) -created
by ordinance and appointed by the City Council. The MPCRAB advises the City
Council, Department Director and other city service areas concerning formulation
of policy, plans and programs to carry out duties of parks and recreation services.
2.3 Parks, Culture and Recreation facilities -Includes (a) developed and
undeveloped neighborhood, community and regional parks; (b) trails; (c)
undeveloped open space/natural areas; (d) community centers; (e) special use
facilities (e.g. sports fields, disc golf courses, dog parks, skateboarding facilities,
etc.; and (f) specific features within a larger park or recreation facility (e.g.
climbing wall, tennis courts, picnic shelters, sports fields, etc.)
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 The MPCRD Director, or designee, shall oversee the commemorative naming
of parks and recreation facilities and coordinate the review of proposals, requests
and process consistent with this policy.
3.2 The MPCRD Director shall have the authority to independently review and
recommend commemorative naming proposals for designated features or
elements within a park or facility to the MPCRAB for final approval.
3.3 The City of Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Advisory Board (MPCRAB)
shall consider and take action on requests and proposals for commemorative
naming of park and recreation facilities. Upon recommendation, the request or
proposal shall be advanced to the appropriate local legislative body for approval.
The MPCRAB shall have final review and approve/reject commemorative naming
proposals for designated features or elements within a park or facility.
3.4 The Marysville City Council shall have final approval regarding
commemorative naming requests or proposals for parks, trails, open spaces and
recreation or other facilities.
4.0 PROCEDURES
4.1 Any person, group or organization may submit a written proposal or request
to commemoratively name or rename a public park or recreation facility to the
MPCRD Director, or designee.
4.2 A written proposal or request shall include sufficient explanation to enable
the MPCRD Director, or designee, to make a determination that commemorative
naming or renaming is justified and complies with this policy. Factors to be
considered include, but are not limited to:
4.2.1 The proposed name and the reason for the naming or renaming
4.2.2 The background information, biographical information demonstrating the
contribution or other factors associated with a person or place to be named.
4.2.3 Whether and to what extent the appropriate and/or impacted communities
support the proposal.
4.2.4 In cases of proposals recognizing deceased individuals, documentation
verifying that the living family members or relatives are in agreement with the
proposal.
4.2.5 Any other factors, which would support the proposal or request, including
consistency with this policy.
4.3 The City of Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department may also
initiate and facilitate a commemorative naming process associated with new park
acquisitions and construction whereby neighborhoods and the public shall be
invited to participate in the naming process consistent with these policies.
4.4 The MPCRD Director, or designee's consideration regarding the naming or
renaming of parks, recreation facilities or features within such areas, shall be
guided by the following considerations:
4.4.1 Recognized geographic names and/or relative location of the park, facility,
neighborhood, area, etc.
4.4.2 Natural or geological features proximate to the park or facility
4.4.3 Cultural or historical significance to the City, County or surrounding
neighborhood
4.4.4 A deceased individual who made a significant community contribution,
exhibited outstanding achievement, performed distinctive service or otherwise
has well documented community support.
4.5 The MPCRD Director, or designee, shall review the proposal for adherence to
the stated policy criteria and authentication of statements, as well as existing
features already named within a particular park or recreation facility, before
advancing the proposal to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. The
MPCRD Director, or designee, shall make reasonable attempts to confirm support
and permission from the family or relatives of the deceased individual being
proposed, as well as confirm biographical information. If the request is
incomplete, the Director or designee will contact the applicant, in writing, and
provide an opportunity to resubmit a revised request.
4.6 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall consider the commemorative
naming proposal upon it being advanced by the MPCRD Director, or designee, and
shall offer the opportunity for public input. The Board shall review the proposal or
request.
4.7 If recommended by the Board, the proposal shall be advanced to the City
Council. The City Council shall approve all property (park, trail or open space} and
building naming.
4.8 Special features within a park, trail, open space or the Director and the Parks,
Culture and Recreation Advisory Board can name building with the approval OF
City Council.
4.9 The requestor will be notified in writing of the action by the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board and action by the local legislative body if subsequently
advanced to them for approval.
4.10 Record of the approved name will be recorded in the MPCRD park inventory
database and all applicable records, signage and documentation shall be updated,
as applicable, with the new name.
End of Policy