Title
Establish Naming Criteria for Alameda Point Neighborhood Park, Located on Coronado Avenue between Ardent Way and Main Street.
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Establish Naming Criteria for Alameda Point Neighborhood Park, Located on Coronado Avenue between Ardent Way and Main Street.
BACKGROUND
In October 2021, the City Council updated the City Facilities and Street Naming Policy (Naming Policy). The goal of the updated Naming Policy is to broaden the naming criteria to allow greater diversity, equity and inclusion as well as broader community input at public Brown Act meetings. Therefore, standing criteria is written into the updated and replacement Naming Policy that reflects diversity, equity and inclusion so City facility names intentionally broaden the representation of people in our community.
The Naming Policy provides a four-step process to name City parks with the Recreation and Parks Commission (Commission), including the final approval by City Council. The first step is an initial presentation on the City park including the location, background and any identifying features. The Commission is then responsible to identify and confirm naming criteria for that park. Examples could include a maritime or naval reference if the facility is located at Alameda Point, a community value, a natural reflection of a location, or other theme.
After the criteria is confirmed, staff will conduct a citywide community survey to solicit name ideas based on that criteria. As referenced in other staff reports this evening, there are four new City public parks to be named. The community survey will include all four parks for efficiency and to reach a broad representation of the Alameda community.
The next process steps will include:
• A Commission meeting to review the entire list of names generated from the survey as well as previously created park name lists and then reviewing a short list of names that meets the established criteria. The names on the short list will be researched and vetted. The goal of this meeting is for the Commission to recommend a very short list of names, such as 5 - 10 names.
• A second community wide survey is then conducted to solicit feedback on the recommended final short name list.
• A Commission meeting to recommend a name to City Council for final approval.
• The City Council then considers this recommendation and makes the final decision to name the City Park.
The Naming Policy also includes the following requirements:
• A focus on local Alameda significance but may reflect California or a national lens as appropriate.
• A person must be deceased for at least three years to be considered.
• Alameda Point streets must reflect WWII naval themes to be consistent with the area’s historic district designation. This is not a requirement for parks at Alameda Point.
• Names must reflect values of inclusivity and diversity.
DISCUSSION
The Alameda Point Neighborhood Park is located on Coronado Ave. and spans three blocks between Ardent Way and Main Street. It is intended to serve new and existing residents of Alameda Point. Park amenities include a playground, group picnic area, seating throughout the park, open lawn areas, basketball hoop, corn hole and fitness equipment. The playground was designed with an aquatic theme including a large whale structure and pirate ship. The inspiration for this whale is Allie, a humpback whale that showed up in Seaplane Lagoon and along the Alameda shoreline in the summer of 2019. The playground whale was designed to be visible to airplanes coming to and from the Oakland Airport.
Historically, Alameda Point was the Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda. This was an active military facility starting before World War II. “The base provides berthing for Pacific Fleet ships and is a major center of naval aviation. The facility includes an airfield, seaplane lagoon, hangars, repair facilities, and residential areas for military personnel. The most dominant feature of the base is the intersecting runways in the airfield area. The runways are visible from the Bay Bridge and other vantage points around San Francisco Bay.” [Excerpt from the 1996 NAS Alameda Community Reuse Plan]. The Navy closed the base in 1997 and this park is within the first major Alameda Point redevelopment site known as Site A. Prior to the NAS, this land was primarily tidelands and marsh lands and was traditional Lisjan Ohlone land. A large shellmound was located at Alameda Point and was dismantled with the shells and bones being used for the runway construction.
Naming criteria for the park could represent many aspects of this site. Examples could include the history of the Naval Air Station Alameda or World War II, honoring the natural landscape and abundant wildlife, reflect the character and features of the park, signify a community value, honor the communities that currently and historically lived in and around Alameda Point or other criteria.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from determining a naming criteria for this park.
RECOMMENDATION
To establish naming criteria for Alameda Point Neighborhood Park, located on Coronado Avenue between Ardent Way and Main Street.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Exhibits:
1. Alameda Point Neighborhood Park Location and Design