Title
Establish Naming Criteria for Alameda Marina Park, Located on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary Near Clement Avenue Between Grand Street and Willow 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 Marina Park, Located on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary Near Clement Avenue Between Grand Street and Willow 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 Marina Park is located on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary between Grand Street and Willow Street along the Alameda Northern Waterfront. The location and park design is detailed in Exhibit 1. This park will be open to the public but will be privately maintained; not maintained or managed by the City. The park includes continuation and realignment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, open lawn areas, waterfront promenade, seating and picnic areas, and a long floating dock to launch, store and instruct on non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks, small sailboats, and paddleboards.
Alameda Marina has a long history as a working waterfront. In 1916 the Barnes and Tibbitts Shipbuilding & Drydock Company opened at the site adjacent to the Alaska Packers. They built a 360-foot wharf and large slips, called marine ways. Subsequent owners utilized the site for activities including large ship repair and building ships including Golden Gate ferries for the Southern Pacific Railroad, gunboats for the Coast Guard, and boats for the Navy. The Navy purchased a section of the land around 1947 and then declared the boat yard surplus property in 1959. [historical information from the Alameda Sun, January 10, 2017]. Since then Alameda Marina has served as a marine maintenance and storage facility. The Alameda Municipal Power headquarters is directly adjacent to Alameda Marina, located at Grand Street and Clement Avenue.
Naming criteria for the park could represent many aspects of this site. Examples could include the history of the Alameda Northern Waterfront and working shipyards, reflecting the character and features of the park, signifying a community value or other criteria.
The developer has suggested the following seven names for this park:
1. Square Rigger’s Park
2. Barn’s Wharf Park
3. Tibbitts Harbor
4. Shipyard Harbor Park
5. Wind Whistle Island Park
6. Waterfront Park
7. Open Water Garden
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from determining a naming criteria for this park.
RECOMMENDATION
To establish naming criteria for Alameda Marina Park, located on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary near Clement Avenue between Grand Street and Willow Street.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Exhibits:
1. Alameda Marina Park Location and Design