Title
Public Hearing for Park Naming of Property known as “Yelm Highway Community Park”
Recommended Action
Move to recommend an official name for “Yelm Highway Community Park” to City Council.
Report
Issue:
Review submitted name recommendations for “Yelm Highway Community Park” and make a recommendation to be presented to City Council for adoption.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Parks Planning & Design Manager, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Laura Keehan, Parks Planning & Design Manager, 360.570.5855
Background and Analysis:
In late 2018, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation (OPARD) purchased 83 acres located at 3323 Yelm Highway for a future athletic-field oriented community park. The park master planning process proceeded over the following five years and the park is now in detailed construction document design. The approved master plan incorporates active and passive recreational amenities, preservation and protection of critical areas, and public art integration. To meet a longstanding community need for dedicated rectangular fields in Olympia, the focus of the park is on providing soccer fields.
In anticipation of opening the park in 2026, the property know as “Yelm Highway Community Park” needs an official park name.
The process and criteria for naming parks and park facilities is detailed in Olympia Municipal Code 12.62.050:
D. In naming parks and other park facilities, consideration shall be given primarily to:
1. Neighborhood, boundary roads, or common usage identification;
2. A natural or geographic feature;
3. Significant historical events or cultural attributes;
4. A historical figure;
5. A name chosen by an individual (living or deceased) who has made a significant land and/or monetary contribution to the park system;
6. An individual who has contributed outstanding civic service to the City or has been instrumental in acquiring or developing parks properties and who has been deceased for a period of at least one year;
7. Organizations having contributed to and influenced the betterment of the City.
E. Parks and park facilities shall not ordinarily be named for living persons unless they have stipulated the name as a condition of donation or unless the park or park facility is part of a regional facility that is named in conjunction with other governmental entities.
The code further identifies that PRAC shall hold a public hearing and consider all proposed names prior to making a recommendation to City Council.
Comprehensive Plan or Parks, Arts & Recreation Plan Connection:
Olympia Municipal Code 12.62.050 outlines the process for officially naming Olympia parks and park facilities. As stated in the code, PRAC must hold a public hearing and after consideration of all submitted names, shall forward a recommended name to City Council for their consideration.
Climate Analysis:
Naming this park will not have a climate impact.
Equity Analysis:
Naming of this park will not inherently have a negative impact on equity. Choice of an official name could have a negative impact if a name is chosen that causes harm to others.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Over a thousand community members were involved in the Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan process over the last six years. Soccer players and neighbors from The Hamptons and Indian Summer neighborhoods have shown particular interest in the site.
Options:
1) Hold a public hearing, review suggested park names and make a recommendation to City Council on an official name for “Yelm Highway Community Park”.
2) Hold a public hearing, review suggested park names and do not make a recommendation to City Council on an official name for “Yelm Highway Community Park”. This would result in PRAC not providing input to Council on an official name.
Financial Impact:
Naming the park property does not have a financial impact.
Attachments:
Yelm Hwy_Suggested Park Names
Yelm Hwy_PRAC Name Criteria Sheet