Commission clarifies naming policy procedures, adds "designee" and amenity conventions

Deputy Director Patrick O'Meara presented a redlined revision to the parks, recreation and other city facilities property naming policy at the Nov. 4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting, explaining the edits are intended to clarify existing practice.

O'Meara said the edits add the word "designee" so the process can proceed when a director is unavailable; broaden solicitation language for name nominations; explicitly allow the councilmember for the ward containing a park to request naming consideration; add a short naming convention for substructures and smaller amenities; and state that the ward councilmember may choose whether and when a renaming recommendation appears before the City Council.

City staff counsel advised the commission it had discretion to continue discussion or forward the edits. The commission voted to forward the edits to the City Council. The vote does not rename any park; it transmits procedural changes for council action. Department staff said these clarifications codify practices already followed in outreach and coordination with council offices.