Committee approves Veterans Park renaming process with neighborhood feedback requirement

The Appleton Parks and Recreation Committee voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the Veterans Park renaming process and to require the Parks & Recreation Renaming Committee to consider and weight neighborhood feedback when an existing park is being renamed.

Alder Ziegler proposed the amendment, saying existing parks should give extra weight to neighborhood input because residents have established ownership and potential impacts when a name changes. The committee agreed to add that language under the recommended naming guidelines and to incorporate neighborhood outreach in the public announcement phase.

Director Gaza said the department can administratively update the timeline for outreach once the policy is approved and noted that, because the council’s action may come in November, the practical outreach schedule will shift accordingly. Alder Schultz and others urged giving the public ample time, and members suggested timing outreach after holidays to increase participation.

Committee members also raised practical questions about how to define the affected neighborhood and how to conduct outreach where neighborhood organizations or contact lists do not exist. Director Gaza said staff would work with the alderperson representing the ward to design outreach appropriate to the area.

The committee recorded the amendment and the final vote as 5 in favor, 0 opposed; the item will be forwarded to common council for final approval and implementation steps.