Parks & Rec Naming Policy
Meridian Parks & Recreation
Memo
RECEIVED
FEB f 8 2005
To:
Mayor and City Council
9ty of Meridian
City Clerk Office
CC:
From:
Will Berg
Doug """'" 0;"""" ~.-
February 17, 2005 ~
Date:
Re:
Meridian Parks & Recreation Properties Naming Policy
During the February Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the Meridian
Parks & Recreation Properties Naming Policy was reviewed and passed by the
Commission to be sent forward to the Mayor and Council for their approval.
The Parks Staff is requesting this item be put on either the consent agenda or as a
department report for your March 0151 meeting. The Meridian Parks & Recreation
Properties Naming Policy is attached along with the Parks & Recreation Commissin
Minutes in regards to the recommendation to forward to City Council.
Page 1
MERIDIAN PARKS AND RECREATION
PROPERTIES NAMING POLICY
Adopted
,2005
PURPOSE:
A sound-naming policy can add meaning, significance, and uniformity to the park and recreation
properties of the City of Meridian by developing park names that embody the values and heritage ofthe
local community. It is the intent ofthe naming policy to establish reasonable criteria in which to suitably
honor and acknowledge both individuals and organizations for their contributions to the City of Meridian.
POLICY:
It is the policy for designation of names for park and recreation properties to be in accordance with
criteria and procedures set forth below:
~ To minimize confusion, proposed park names that are similar to those of existing parks in the
system should be avoided.
~ Conditions and/or stipulations of original property donation, deed or development shall be
honored regarding the name of a park.
~ To avoid the appearance that the public park is a private park the name ofthe adjacent or
surrounding subdivision should be avoided as the name ofthe public park.
~ If a park is to be named after a living individual then their permission should be secured prior to
the name being selected or the City Council may consider a change if an objection is made by the
person after the selection.
~ When a park is proposed to be named after a person who is deceased, then the permission of the
closest living relative of an individual, if practical, should be secured prior to the name being
selected. The City Council may consider a change if an objection after the selection.
~ Park names should represent community values and be mindful of future generations.
Parks or Portions of Parks may be named in the followinl!: manner:
Park Names:
An attempt should be made to name parks utilizing the Department theme for naming parks. The theme is
as follows:
Community Parks and Neighborhood Parks should be named for easy recognition; utilizing reference to
historic sites, geographical features or descriptive names. The words "Community Park" or
"Neighborhood Park" shall be affixed to the end of the park name.
MERIDIAN PARKS AND RECREATION PROPERTIES NAMING POLICY - Page 1 of3
[DOES THE COUNCIL WISH TO GIVE FINAL AUTHORITY TO THE COMMISSION?]
Temporary naming:
The Parks Commission may approve the temporary naming of portions of facilities. The Commission
shall work with the individual organization seeking a temporary name to determine the appropriate
criteria for the temporary naming to be consistent with the rest of this policy. The Commission may allow
a variance from this policy for a temporary name.
This temporary naming policy may apply to any playground, sports field, sports court, amenity, or any
other portion of the park facilities that can be suitably and appropriately named to honor an individual or
organization.
Temporary naming under this policy can be for any designated period of time, but shall not be longer than
one (I) year from the date of approval. Subsequent requests to continue the temporary naming may be
considered, but such request must be made annually.
Procedures for a Permanent Name:
Preliminary action in naming a park or facility may be initiated by the Mayor, City Council, Meridian
Parks and Recreation Commission, Meridian Parks and Recreation Department staff, or individual
citizens. A formal letter of proposal shall be submitted to the Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Cqmmission will review the proposal name(s), take public comment, and make a recommendation for
the name to the Mayor and Meridian City Council.
In all cases, the Meridian City Council shall have the authority to accept or reject the proposed park or
facility permanent or temporary name and to waive any requirements of this policy.
The City Council shall have final authority on the permanent or temporary names and the length oftime
that such name may be used in connection with the park or any portion thereof.
Changing of Names:
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit the changing of names of parks or facilities by the
City Council.
Final Decision:
All decisions for the permanent naming of a park facility or any portion of park property shall be
approved by resolution of the City Council. This shall not apply to the memorial trees that are placed in
the parks pursuant to this policy.
DEFINITIONS:
The following guidelines should be considered when naming a park based upon a donation:
MERIDIAN PARKS AND RECREATION PROPERTIES NAMING POLICY - Page 2 of 3
Neighborhood Parks:
When fifty (50) percent or a minimum of $ 100,000 of the value of the parkland is donated or when
"substantially all" of the development is donated at no cost to the City of Meridian.
Community Parks:
When twenty-five (25) percent or a minimum of $200,000 of the value of the parkland is donated or when
"substantially all" of the development is donated at no cost to the City of Meridian.
Facilities:
When "substantially all" of the facility development is donated at no cost to the City of Meridian.
Valuing Donations
Valuing donations for the above section shall be determined by City staff with the advice of the
Commission. Donations must be without costs or expense to the City of Meridian and is based upon
value at the time of donation. Donations that require credit towards impact fees or if impact fees are to
reimbursed by the grantee, shall not be considered donations for the purposes of this naming policy.
Substantially all:
The City staff with the advice of the Commission shall determine whether the value donated is
"substantially all" of the development. The dollar value of the completed development must be greater
than the fair market value of the property at the time of purchase.
Development:
Development must be in accordance with the approved site master plan or statement of character and/or
criteria approved by the Meridian City Council.
Donations:
For the purpose of this policy, donations may include monetary as well as in-kind donations and may be a
one-time or cumulative donation or a bequeathment.
MERIDIAN PARKS AND RECREATION PROPERTIES NAMING POLICY - Page 3 of3
Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission MeetinŒ
February 09, 2005
President Andee Stockton called the Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
to order at 7:03 pm on January 12, 2005 in the Council Chambers at the Meridian City
Hall.
Present: Creg Steele, President Andee Stockton, Vice President Bud Porter, and Jim
Keller. Also present is William Nary, City of Meridian Attorney, Ted Baird, Deputy City
Attorney, Christine Donnell, City Council Liaison, Doug Strong, Parks & Recreation
Director, Elroy Huff, Park Superintendent, and Catrina Thomas, Recreation
Superintendent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Jim Keller made a motion to approye the agenda as written, seconded by Creg Steele.
Motion passed unanimously.
PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS
Andee Stockton stated she would like to welcome our Council Liaison, Christine Donnell
to her first commission meeting.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 08. 2004 MINUTES
Andee Stockton pointed out an error in the minutes on page three-paragraph four stating
that the "e" was left off of Creg Steele's last name. Jim Keller made a motion to approve
the minutes as amended; Bud Porter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes were approved as amended.
DISCUSSION I INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
PUBLIC MEETING PROCESS
Bill Nary handed out to the commission a copy ofIdaho Statutes 67-2343, Notice of
Meetings and 67-2344, Written Minutes of Meetings. He also handed out a copy of
Ordinance No. 04-1081, an ordinance of the City of Meridian, Idaho repealing Chapter 2
Title 2 and reenacting the Parks and Recreation Commission of the Meridian city code;
providing for conflict, validity, savings clause, and providing for an effective date.
After a brief discussion Bill Nary recommended removing "Public Comment" from the
agenda, streamlining the agenda and what the requirements were for written minutes of
Parl<s and Recreation Commission Minutes
Februsxy 09. 2005
the meeting. The commission took no action.
ADVENTURE ISLAND PLAYGROUND RULES
After a brief discussion and review of the Adventure Island Playground Rules the
commission made a motion to approve the rules as written and move it forward to City
Council for approval.
NAMING OF PARKS
After a brief discussion on the Meridian Parks and Recreation Properties Naming Policy it
was recommended by the commission to move this forward to City Council to be adopted
by resolution.
A brief discussion took place over a letter Commissioner Jim De Boer submitted regarding
naming Lochsa Falls Park "Hero Park". The commission tabled the idea for further
discussion by the subcommittee.
CONCESSION CONTRACT FOR SETTLER'S PARK
Angela Lindig representing Adventure Island Playground discussed a proposal to operate
the concession stand during the summer months using yolunteers stating the money
raised would go back into Phase II construction of the park.
Deputy City Attorney, Ted Baird discussed with the commission conditions for forming an
agreement with Adventure Island Playground to operate the concession stand. The
commission made no decision.
STAFF DEPARTMENT REPORTS
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Written report provided, no discussion.
RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Written report provided, no discussion.
PARK SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Written report was provided however a brief discussion took place in regards to Adventure
Island Playground landscaping, changes at Kiwanis Park, Autumn Faire Request for
Proposal, Lochsa Falls Development and Champion Park Development.
Parks and Recreation CDIIlIIrission MiIrutes
February 09, 2005
2
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP
The committee has no report at this time.
PATHWAYS AND TRAILS
The committee has no report at this time.
PARK SIGN AND NAMING ORDINANCE
The committee has no report at this time.
RECREATION PROGRAM SUB-COMMITTEE
The committee has no report at this time.
FUTURE TOPICS
None
CORRESPONDENC~ANNOUNCEMENT
None
OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT
No additional business was discussed. A motion was made by Creg Steele to adjourn the
meeting, seconded by Bud Porter; the meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm.
(DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THERE IS NO TAPE ON FILE OF THESE
PROCEEDINGS.)
APPROVED:
_1_1-
DATE
ANDEE STOCKTON, PRESIDENT
BUD PORTER, VICE PRESIDENT
Parle! and Recreation Commi"ion Minut..
February 09, 2005
3