Lake County directs outreach to begin formal renaming process for Middletown Square Park
July 14, 2026 | Lake County, California
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The Lake County Board of Supervisors on July 14 instructed county staff to begin the formal public‑noticing and outreach process to consider renaming Middletown Square Park, following a presentation by parks staff and a detailed historical request from local residents.
MATH (the Middletown Area Town Hall) member Linda Deal Darmes presented a historical record and said MATH voted in May to favor the name “Middletown Gateway Park,” citing the park’s connection to the library, senior center and farmers market and long‑standing local references calling Middletown the “gateway to Lake County.”
Public Works and parks staff told the board the county’s park‑naming policy requires a 30‑day notice and public comment period and typically expects the requester to bear nominal advertising costs; staff estimated outreach would involve roughly 40 hours of staff time plus modest advertising and suggested using a mix of online surveys, tabling at local events and school outreach. Staff also recommended coordinating any outreach with existing municipal advisory council engagement and combining efforts with other nearby park outreach where efficient.
Board members and several public commenters called for broad, visible outreach — farmer’s market tabling, school and senior center engagement and a clear sign to resolve inconsistent local usage. The board agreed directionally to proceed and asked staff to: run a public outreach campaign, solicit input from the community and municipal advisory councils, and return with results and a recommended formal notice if a preferred name emerged.
The board’s direction was procedural: to open outreach and public comment rather than to adopt a new name. Staff noted costs are normally borne by the requester but that Quimby park improvement funds could pay for related park signs or improvements if appropriate.
What’s next: staff will design and carry out outreach and prepare a public‑notice period for the board to consider at a subsequent meeting.
MATH (the Middletown Area Town Hall) member Linda Deal Darmes presented a historical record and said MATH voted in May to favor the name “Middletown Gateway Park,” citing the park’s connection to the library, senior center and farmers market and long‑standing local references calling Middletown the “gateway to Lake County.”
Public Works and parks staff told the board the county’s park‑naming policy requires a 30‑day notice and public comment period and typically expects the requester to bear nominal advertising costs; staff estimated outreach would involve roughly 40 hours of staff time plus modest advertising and suggested using a mix of online surveys, tabling at local events and school outreach. Staff also recommended coordinating any outreach with existing municipal advisory council engagement and combining efforts with other nearby park outreach where efficient.
Board members and several public commenters called for broad, visible outreach — farmer’s market tabling, school and senior center engagement and a clear sign to resolve inconsistent local usage. The board agreed directionally to proceed and asked staff to: run a public outreach campaign, solicit input from the community and municipal advisory councils, and return with results and a recommended formal notice if a preferred name emerged.
The board’s direction was procedural: to open outreach and public comment rather than to adopt a new name. Staff noted costs are normally borne by the requester but that Quimby park improvement funds could pay for related park signs or improvements if appropriate.
What’s next: staff will design and carry out outreach and prepare a public‑notice period for the board to consider at a subsequent meeting.
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