REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Reconsider Selection of Name for the New City Park Located at One Redwood Place (Previous AMD site)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City is developing a new 6.5-acre public park as part of the Irvine Company’s residential development at the former AMD site. The park site is located at One Redwood Place between E. Duane Avenue and Stewart Drive.
On May 3, 2022, the City Council voted to name the new park “Shellmound Park” (RTC No. 22-0263). The name was on a list suggested by the Sunnyvale Historical Society. It was also one of five names recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their April 13 meeting (RTC No. 22-0268).
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.23 “Naming/Renaming Parks & Recreation Facilities.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Council expressed a desire to acknowledge and honor Native American heritage in naming the new park “Shellmound Park.” Council also requested informational material to educate the public about the historical significance of the park name.
Staff reached out to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe to invite them to participate in the opening ceremony of the new park and seek information about the mounded sites in Sunnyvale. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is comprised of surviving Native Americans with ancestral lineages aboriginal to the San Francisco Bay region. They have traced their ancestry through the Spanish missions (Dolores, Santa Clara, and San Jose) and were also members of the historic federally recognized Verona Band of Alameda County.
At a June 10 meeting with City staff, representatives of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe expressed concerns with the name “Shellmound Park.” They informed City staff that these mounds are mortuary sites and not shellmounds. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Chairwoman, Charlene Nijmeh, requested that City Council reconsider the park name. The Tribe subsequently submitted a list of alternative names that would better honor their Ohlone heritage (Attachment 3).
Additionally, staff spoke to local archaeologist and recently retired Cultural Resources Program and Tribal Liaison for the California State Parks, Mark Hylkema. He also noted the mounded sites are not shellmounds and recommended that informational material at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum be revised to accurately describe the mounded sites.
Staff also attempted to reach out to the Tamien Nation, a local group who also has an ancestral lineage to the aboriginal villages in this area but has not yet connected with this group.
Given this new information, staff is bringing this item to allow Council the opportunity to reconsider the park name. Council could consider one of the other four names recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission:
a) Arques Park
b) Duane Park
c) Manzanita Park
d) Redwood Park
Council could also choose a name from the original list of suggestions (Attachment 2), the alternative names submitted by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe (Attachment 3), or any other name preferred by the City Council.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library, Senior Center, Community Center and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and report are available at Office of the City Clerk, and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Rescind Council’s May 3, 2022 motion to name the new City Park located at One Redwood Place “Shellmound Park,” and select a name for the new City Park from the four other names recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission:
a) Arques Park
b) Duane Park
c) Manzanita Park
d) Redwood Park
2. Rescind Council’s May 3, 2022 motion to name the new City Park located at One Redwood Place “Shellmound Park,” and select a name for the new City Park from the list of suggested names in AMD Site Park Naming Suggestions, attached to this report at Attachment 2.
3. Rescind Council’s May 3, 2022 motion to name the new City Park located at One Redwood Place “Shellmound Park,” and select a name for the new City Park from the list submitted by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, attached to this report as Attachment 3.
4. Rescind Council’s May 3, 2022 motion to name the new City Park located at One Redwood Place “Shellmound Park,” and select a name for the new City Park as preferred by City Council.
5. Rescind Council’s May 3, 2022 decision to name the new City Park located at One Redwood Place “Shellmound Park,” and provide direction to staff.
6. Take no action.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends renaming the park.
Staff
Staff
Prepared by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 7.3.23 Name/Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities
2. AMD Site Park Naming Suggestions
3. List of Potential Park Names Submitted by Muwekma Ohlone Tribe