Chapter 12.16
NAMING OF PARKS1

Sections:

12.16.010    Naming.

12.16.020    Criteria.

12.16.030    Department review.

12.16.040    Community input.

12.16.050    Parks commission recommendation.

12.16.060    Contest.

12.16.070    Gifted park.

12.16.010 Naming.

All public parks and park and recreation facilities shall be named by the city council following recommendation of the parks commission under the process described below. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.020 Criteria.

The name for public parks and park and recreation facilities shall be based upon the site’s relationship to the following criteria:

A. Neighborhood, geographic or common usage identification;

B. Natural or geological features;

C. An historical figure, place, event or other instance of historical or cultural significance;

D. An individual (living or deceased) who has made a significant 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. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.030 Department review.

Prior to submittal of any proposed name to the parks commission for its recommendation for the naming or renaming of any park, the proposed name shall be submitted to the mayor for review and comment by affected city departments. Departmental comments shall be incorporated in any staff report to the parks commission or city council. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.040 Community input.

Prior to submittal of its recommendation to the city council, the parks commission shall solicit public input from relevant individuals and organizations. Input may be by way of direct outreach, a public workshop and/or hearing, or other means as appropriate to the proposal. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.050 Parks commission recommendation.

Following consideration by the public and departmental review, the parks commission shall provide its recommendation to the city council. The parks commission’s recommendation shall include findings relative to the four criteria in NBMC 12.16.020. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.060 Contest.

If a contest or competition is to be held to determine the name of a park or recreation facility, the parks commission shall establish guidelines and rules for the contest, including consistency with the criteria in NBMC 12.16.020. No city funds shall be used for any contest prizes. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).

12.16.070 Gifted park.

In the event a gift is offered to the city on condition that a public park, open space, sensitive area, park feature or facility be named after a specified person or otherwise be given a specific name, city council shall have sole authority to determine whether to accept or reject the gift. (Ord. 1720 § 6 (part), 2020).


1

Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1666 repealed prior Chapter 12.16, Private Streets, which derived from Ord. 703.