HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.4 Emrld Glen Pk Rose Garden Naming
STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK
File #215-20
CITY COUNCIL
DATE:April 16, 2013
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Joni Pattillo, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Naming of Emerald Glen Park Rose Garden
Prepared by Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider a request by Councilmember Haubert to name the Emerald Glen
Park Rose Garden after Dublin resident Tom McCormick.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None at this time. If the City Council directs Staff name the rose garden after Mr. McCormick,
Staff would develop options and costs for the City Council’s consideration as part of the design
development process for the next phase of the park.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council receive the Staff report and determine whether to rename
the area as the McCormick Rose Garden.
Submitted By Reviewed By
Director of Parks and Assistant City Manager
Community Services
DESCRIPTION:
On March 19, 2013, the City Council directed Staff to place an item on a future agenda to
discuss the potential for naming the Rose Garden in Emerald Glen Park after longtime Dublin
resident Tom McCormick. To help frame the discussion for the City Council, Staff has prepared
some background information on how the City has named parks and facilities in the past, in
particular those that have been named after people.
ITEM NO. 8.4
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Past Practice for Naming Parks
In general the City’s past standard practice with the naming of the City’s parks and facilities has
been to use the following criteria for evaluating and selecting names:
Neighborhood or geographical identification
A prominent form of site topography
An outstanding or unique feature of the site
Historical or cultural significance of the area
An individual or family that has provided significant, long-term contributions to the
advancement of Dublin and the quality of life, demonstrating service and commitment to
the community.
Parks and Facilities Named After People by the City
There have been parks and facilities in Dublin that have been named by the City after people.
The first was Ted Fairfield Park. Staff had solicited input from the community on possible park
names using the above criteria. Rather than use the names suggested by the community, the
City Council, at the request of Mayor Houston at the City Council meeting on February 20, 2001,
chose to name the park after Ted Fairfield based on his integral role in the development of
Dublin Ranch and the amenities it brought to the community.
At the August 19, 2008 City Council meeting, then-Mayor Lockhart initiated a request for the
Shannon Community Center Banquet Hall to be named after retiring City Manager Richard
Ambrose. The City Council asked Staff to come back with a report at a future meeting, which
was presented at the September 2, 2008 City Council meeting. The request was approved by
unanimous vote based on Mr. Ambrose’s contributions to Dublin over his long tenure as Dublin’s
first City Manager.
During a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission regarding the Downtown
Specific Plan in August 2010, Mayor Sbranti stated he would like to have something named
after Peter Snyder, who was Dublin’s first Mayor, served for 12 years on the City Council and
was on the BART Board of Directors for eight years. He suggested that a plaza in the West
Dublin BART Station or something within the Transit District would be appropriate. On March
22, 2011 as part of the approval of the SDR for the Avalon Bay project at the East Dublin BART
Station, the developer agreed to “condition 34” naming the central plaza facing BART was Peter
W. Snyder Plaza.
On February 15, 2009, Dublin resident and Army Staff Sergeant Sean Diamond, 41, was killed
while on active duty in Iraq. To honor his sacrifice and memory, the Dublin City Council held a
memorial ceremony on July 21, 2009 and placed a plaque with his name on the City’s Public
Safety Memorial located in the Civic Center Courtyard. The City Council established a Public
Safety Memorial to provide a place for the community to memorialize those individuals now and
in the future if necessary. For Sean Diamond Park, the Parks and Community Services
Commission suggested the name and recommended it to City Council, rather than use the list of
names suggested by the community. At the time Staff reminded the Commission that Mr.
Diamond was memorialized as part of the Public Safety Memorial; however the Commission felt
strongly about naming a park after Mr. Diamond. The City Council unanimously approved the
suggestion of the Commission at the June 7, 2011 meeting.
For the Heritage Park & Museums, the “Main House” was termed “Kolb House” by Staff prior to
the acquisition. Additionally on May 17, 2011, the City Council considered a request by former
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Mayor Lockhart to place a plaque at the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums to recognize the
generosity of Dave and Bea Burton for their contributions to the community. They were key
players in the City’s incorporation efforts, and Mr. Burton served many years on the City
Council. Mr. Burton was also instrumental in the restoration of the bell tower at the Old Murray
Schoolhouse. The City Council directed staff to defer placing a plaque until the Orchard Phase
of the park master plan is constructed.
Naming of Rose Garden at Emerald Glen Park
If the City Council desires naming the rose garden at Emerald Glen after Mr. McCormick, then
Staff recommends naming it the “McCormick Rose Garden”. Staff would also recommend
determining options for recognizing Mr. McCormick and displaying the name of the rose garden
as part of the design development process for the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic
Complex. The options and costs would be presented to City Council this summer to consider
including the signage and necessary improvements as part of the construction documents for
the next phase of the park.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
A copy of this notice was sent to the McCormick Family, and for informational purposes to the
Parks and Community Services Commission.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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