PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD :: PARK NAMING GUIDELINES

Policy for Naming Parks and Recreation Facilities

1. Purpose

   To provide a formal process for the Park and Recreation Board of the City of Arlington to evaluate proposals for the naming or renaming of parks and recreational facilities. It is the intent of the Planning and Policy Committee to review all requests for facility naming, evaluate each request in accordance with the following guidelines, and provide insight and recommendations to the Park Board for consideration. In general, the Planning and Policy Committee will follow the naming guidelines adopted by the City Council.
    

2. Process

   To request a name for a specific Park, Facility, or a major feature within a Park such as a street, lake, building or athletic field, an applicant should submit a written request to the Park and Recreation Board via the Park Department staff. Applicant may obtain a copy of the Park Naming Guidelines from the Office of the Director of the Park and Recreation Department. The application should clearly state the name of the requesting organization along with the name, address and phone number of a contact person. The request must include all information as stated in the guidelines below and verified by Park Department staff. Upon receipt of all information, the Planning and Policy Committee will review the application and request any clarification as needed. The committee will have no more than 45 days to review and evaluate any and all naming requests from applicants once all information has been received. Upon completion of review by the Planning and Policy Committee, the committee chair will place the request on the Park Board agenda for presentation to the Park Board. The Park Board will then have no less than one month to reflect and consider the naming request before the item will be placed on the Board agenda for voting purposes. The committee and the Board reserve the right not to endorse a request to the City Council.
     

3. Guidelines for Naming or Renaming

   Proposed names shall identify one of the following:

   1. An adjacent street to the park or facility
   2. Predominant physical features (such as lakes, rivers, creeks, etc.) in or adjacent to the park;
   3. The subdivision in which the park property is located;
   4. A significant historic feature or event;
   5. An individual or group who has made exceptional contributions to the City of Arlington with preference being given for contributions to parks and recreation services. Exceptional contributions include:
      1. Donating or contributing a significant amount for the acquisition and/or development of the park facility
      2. Providing direct and significant volunteer services benefiting the public as a local or community leader

   Persons currently holding a local elected office or serving on the Park and Recreation Board may not be considered for naming.
      

4. Procedures for Naming or Renaming

1. Individuals or organizations shall submit a written nomination for park names along with justification to the Park and Recreation Board. The nomination shall include:

1. Reasons for the proposed name
2. Evidence of community support for the proposed name
3. Petitions, if submitted, must state the intent and include printed names, signatures, addresses, zip codes and telephone numbers of each signer as proof of residency
4. All of the above must be submitted to the Planning and Policy Committee of the Park Board for review

2. The Park and Recreation Board shall:

1. Review the nomination in accordance with Section III of the guidelines
2. Research, review and study the supporting documentation
3. Forward recommendations to the City Council for review

3. The Social Capital Committee shall review the Park and Recreation Board’s recommendations and forward recommendations to City Council for final determination.

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