Chapter 12.25
NAMING AND RENAMING PARKS, PARK STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
Sections:
12.25.010 Policy and procedure – Criteria.
12.25.020 Designation of name by town council.
12.25.030 Naming of interior features or facilities.
12.25.040 Naming and renaming procedure.
12.25.050 Memorials/dedications.
12.25.060 Restriction on certain name proposals.
12.25.010 Policy and procedure – Criteria.
It is the policy of the town to choose names for public parks, structures, and recreation facilities based upon the site’s relationship to certain criteria. Parks, open spaces, and recreational areas in the town of Concrete will be named according to the following policy, procedure, and criteria and may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to a local, state or federal background check as allowed by law and as agreed upon by the submitter:
(1) Neighborhood, geographic, or common usage identification;
(2) A historical figure, place, event, or other instance of historical or cultural significance;
(3) Natural or geological features;
(4) An individual (living or deceased) 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; or
(5) An individual who has contributed outstanding civic service to the town and who has been deceased for a period of at least one year. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.020 Designation of name by town council.
The town council shall designate the names of public parks or recreation facilities. The town council shall make its selection based upon public input from individuals and organizations. Such selection shall state how the proposed name(s) meet the criteria in CMC 12.25.010. If a contest or competition is to be held to determine the name of a park or facility, the town shall establish guidelines and rules for the contest. No town funds will be used for any contest prizes. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.030 Naming of interior features or facilities.
The interior features and/or facilities of a park or recreation facility may have names other than that of the entire park or recreation facility. These names are subject to the criteria designated in CMC 12.25.010 and the selection process outlined in CMC 12.25.020. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.040 Naming and renaming procedure.
A name once selected for a park or recreation facility should be bestowed with the intention that it will be permanent, and changes should be strongly resisted. Name changes shall be subject to the procedures set forth in this chapter.
A request to name or rename a park, park structure, or facility, or to erect a memorial in a park or facility, must be submitted in writing to the town. The request must include an explanation of the proposal. Factors to be taken into consideration will include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) The reason for the naming or renaming or erection of a memorial;
(2) The contribution or other factors for which the person is being memorialized, or the park or facility named;
(3) Whether and to what extent the facility or park has been financed by the person being honored or by the persons who wish to honor the person named;
(4) Whether and to what extent the appropriate and/or affected communities support the proposal; and
(5) Any other factors that would support the request, such as:
(a) Recognized geographic names;
(b) Natural historic features;
(c) Significant historic contributions;
(d) Significant material contributions;
(e) Significant financial contributions;
(f) Person of historic service to the town of Concrete;
(g) Person of outstanding civic service to the town of Concrete;
(h) Documented community support.
If the naming request meets the required criteria, the requesting person(s) or organization(s) must present the request to the town on the appropriate form. The town council shall grant or deny approval of the request. The requestor will be notified via letter of the decision. The letter will outline, if applicable, those areas that did not meet the criteria. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.050 Memorials/dedications.
Memorials or dedications may consist of structures, such as buildings, or facilities, such as athletic fields, that may be named in memory of individuals and organizations as completed entities, or memorial or dedication plaques or signs on or inside structures and facilities.
(1) Considerations regarding memorializing or dedicating parks, park areas, and recreational facilities shall be guided by the following:
(a) Location, design, and configuration of a proposed memorial or dedication shall be in keeping with the park purpose and usage, and shall not interfere with public use of the park or recreational facility.
(b) Proximity to planned and/or existing memorials.
(c) Town of Concrete staff shall participate in the planning, design, and construction of a memorial or dedication, if relevant.
(d) Documented evidence of community support must be included with the request for memorializing or dedicating parks, park areas, and recreational facilities.
(e) All costs associated with the proposed memorial or dedication, including planning, design, construction, utilities, and maintenance shall be the sole responsibility of the person(s) or organization(s) requesting the memorial or dedication. Full funding for the memorial or dedication shall be paid to the town prior to construction.
(f) An escrow account must be established with the town’s finance department to ensure the person(s), organization, and/or entity requesting the memorial or dedication of a park, park area and/or recreational facility has the capability to perform routine maintenance of the memorial, park area, or recreational facility for the next 10 years.
(g) Cost of maintenance to be put in the escrow account for the 10-year period shall be mutually agreed upon by the requestor, the clerk treasurer, and the director of the public works department.
(h) In all cases involving memorials or dedications, only the memorial or dedication itself may be named. The park name shall remain unchanged.
(2) If the memorial or dedication request meets the required criteria, the requesting person(s) or organization(s) must present the request to the town council.
(3) The town council will review the request and shall grant or deny approval of the request.
(4) The requestor will be notified via letter of the decision. The letter will outline, if applicable, those areas that did not meet the criteria. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.060 Restriction on certain name proposals.
The town shall wait at least six months between receipt of a name proposal and submittal of a final recommendation on its adoption in cases where the event or public service to be commemorated took place within the past year. [Ord. 846, 2022]
12.25.070 Signage.
Following selection of a park or recreation facility name by the town council, the town will identify the specific park or facility via appropriate signage that specifies the name. [Ord. 846, 2022]