Title
Request to Rename a Neighborhood Park to “Oakview Park” (B)
This item involves a request to rename Kiwanis/Girl Scout Park located at NW 8th Street & NW 8th Place to “Oakview Park.”
Explanation
On February 28, 2005, the City Commission referred the matter of naming City parks, recreation areas, and facilities to the Recreation and the Cultural Affairs Committee. The Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee forwarded their recommendations to the Commission on June 16, 2005. The City Commission adopted the Committee's recommendations at their August 8, 2005 meeting. The general policy states that either the City of Gainesville Public Recreation and Parks Board, Nature Centers Commission or Cultural Affairs Board would be responsible for recommending to the City Commission approval of all names of parks, recreation areas, facilities, and centers managed by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department.
At their March 20, 2019 meeting, the Public Recreation and Parks Board received a request from Wild Spaces, Public Places Director Elizabeth (Betsy) Waite to rename Kiwanis/Girl Scout Park to "Oakview Park." The request was a result of an open house held in the community where names were voted on, and “Oakview Park” was the most popular choice from attendees, and is also the name of the neighborhood directly to the north of the park. This name change should reduce confusion between this park and Kiwanis Challenge Park. The request was accompanied by the required petition with more than the necessary 50 signatures of adults within the City and an explanation of why the name was proposed.
On May 15, 2019, the Public Recreation and Parks Board unanimously voted to recommend renaming the park “Oakview Park.”
Fiscal Note
None.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the request to rename Kiwanis/Girl Scout Park located at NW 8th Street & NW 8th Place as “Oakview Park.”