REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Recommendation to City Council to Name the New City Park at 1142 Dahlia Court (Corn Palace)
Report
BACKGROUND
This discussion is for the naming of a new 2-acre public park at the Corn Palace II development site (1142 Dahlia Court). The park property was previously agricultural land, which the City acquired from the developer in 2020 with the intent of creating a neighborhood-serving public park. The park property is oriented in the northeast corner of Toyon Avenue and Lily Avenue and extends east to Lawrence Expressway.
The process to name a new park is governed by Council Policy 7.3.23 “Naming / Renaming Parks & Recreation Facilities” (Attachment 2). Staff conducts research, then collects and submits potential names to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviews and submits recommended names to City Council.
The City Council is scheduled to consider this item on February 4, 2025.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.23 “Naming/Renaming Parks & Recreation Facilities”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Naming a park is not 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. On December 5, 2023, the Council approved a preferred concept plan for the Corn Palace Park project and determined that it was exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303,15304 and 15168(c)(2) and Public Resources Code Section 20194(c).
DISCUSSION
Naming parks and recreation facilities is the responsibility of City Council. In accordance with Council Policy, the Parks and Recreation Commission is to review any name considerations and make a recommendation to City Council. Staff researched the suggested names following the guidelines set forth in Council Policy 7.3.23. Staff consulted the Sunnyvale Historical Society for naming ideas, and the names suggested have been included in the Suggested Park Names list (Attachment 3). Additionally, staff provided a brief presentation to the members of the Heritage Preservation Commission (Attachment 4) and Human Relations Commission (Attachment 5) to receive their feedback.
Each commissioner provided their top two naming choices from the suggested park names. Four commissioners from the Heritage Preservation Commission had Corn Palace Park as their first choice and one commissioner had Acorn Park. Commissioners on the Human Relations Commission all chose Manzanita Park as their top choice.
Most City parks presently have the name of the planning district in which they are located. New parks should follow the same pattern, if possible. Where this is not
possible, the policy states that the following criteria should be considered in naming a park or facility within a park:
1. Greatest consideration should be given to a name that has historical significance to the City of Sunnyvale or is in some other way associated with a Sunnyvale event, historical feature, or other community-related action.
2. Where open space has been purchased that was formerly school property or adjoined to a school, and the name of the school has community significance or community recognition, consideration of the school name should be given in naming the park.
3. Naming a park for a specific individual will only be considered if that individual has made a significant contribution to the City of Sunnyvale. Names honoring individuals or families of living persons must be supported by compelling reasons.
4. Other name considerations will only be considered if one of the three above criteria do not provide a suitable name.
5. Facilities within a park that have not otherwise been named by Council may be provided identification signs by staff, limited to either the word “Sunnyvale” or the Park’s official name, followed by a generic description of the facility. (e.g. “Las Palmas Dog Park” or “Sunnyvale Skatepark”).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to the naming of the park. Operating costs for the
2-acre park will be addressed in the Parks operating budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Recommend up to five names to move forward for consideration and selection by City Council.
2. Provide other direction.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
There is no staff recommendation.
Staff
Prepared by: Tracey Gott, Recreation Services Manager, Library and Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Michelle Perera, Director, Library and Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Reserved for Report to Council
2. Council Policy 7.3.23 Naming / Renaming Parks & Recreation Facilities
3. Suggested Park Names
4. Excerpt Meeting Minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission
5. Excerpt Meeting Minutes of the Human Relations Commission