Parks commission picks five candidate names to replace Cesar Chavez Park and forwards recommendations to council

Tina described the council’s request that the Parks & Recreation Commission prepare 3–5 recommended replacement names for Cesar Chavez Park following public attention to recent allegations. She said the intention is for park names to “reflect the values that unify our community and ensure that all residents feel comfortable and welcome.”

Commissioners offered a mix of location‑based and community‑focused ideas. Several commissioners suggested Southern Avenue Park or Southgate Gardens to tie names to local streets or history; others urged more symbolic names such as Unity Park or Farmworker Unity Park to recognize regional agricultural labor history. One commissioner said naming parks after people risks future controversy and recommended neutral, neighborhood‑based names to avoid repeated renaming.

Members of the public weighed in. Jimmy Osaiath and other residents argued naming by street helps residents find nearby green spaces and avoids controversy; another online commenter, Mario Dominguez, suggested Dolores Huerta Park as an alternate namesake. Some commissioners supported preserving the farmworker movement's history by selecting a name like Farmworker Unity Park while leaving any final determination to the city council.

The commission moved to forward five recommended names to council: Southern Avenue Park, Southgate Gardens, Farmworker Unity Park, Linear Park and Unity Park. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; staff will present the recommendations to the city council for final action.