Discuss Renaming Central Park

Background:
The following is a summary excerpt from previous and recent Park and Recreation Commission case(s) regarding public facility naming.

"In 1991, the City was contacted with the request to have the south portion of River's Bend Park renamed, and at that time, it came to light that the City did not have a formal public facility naming policy.  A policy was drafted and presented to the Park and Recreation Commission for discussion and comment.  The Commission approved that policy and recommended the City Council review same and adopt.  On June 11, 1991, the City Council adopted Resolution #91-06-138 formally adopting the Park and Recreation Commission's Public Facility Naming Policy. 

In 2006, City Council authorized the construction of the replacement of the concession stand and shelter at Central Park with a significantly larger, modern structure. The approximately $425,000 project was initiated by a $367,000 contribution from the Ramsey Lions for this purpose. ...both the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council have (sic) unanimously supported recognizing the Lions for their contribution towards the park building,,,and subsequently the concession stand and shelter [was]  formally named the ‘Lion’s Pavilion,’ with their logo placed on that building at Central Park

In 2009, a case went before the Park and Recreation Commission to discuss a policy for accepting park donations, monuments, memorials, and other improvements.  The Commission sent such policy for adoption to the City Council.  Resolution #09-04-075 formally adopted the policy for accepting park donations, monuments, memorials and other improvements and that action was taken by the City Council on April 14, 2009.  The resolution/policy referenced donations with regard to naming rights.   It states the following:  "If a financial contribution exceeding 60% of the cost of major planned improvements is made, naming rights for new parks and recreational facilities may be granted through City Council approval".  

In 2014, the Park and Recreation Commission again looked at the policy for naming public facilities.  Consensus of the Commission was to [revise/update the facility] naming policy, but using an application process rather than a petition process; to include a threshold for donations of more than half or 60 percent; language specifying that the request would go before the City Council but that approval is not guaranteed."

At the Park and Recreation Commission's regular February 2020 meeting, the Commission recommended the revised policy and the attendant draft Resolution (attached to this case). The proposed Resolution broadens the scope of what may be considered for public facility names, and would include input from the Planning Commission (for public facilities that are not within the park realm). The draft Resolution includes much of the recent dialog on the various considerations for naming public places. It does not address details like a funding threshold as was discussed in 2014—it is suggested that this could be identified within the 'naming application' if that is process City Council wishes to approve, along with the updated Resolution that the Commission recommended, but City Council has not yet considered.

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to apprise the Council on the proposed 'updated' public facility naming policy, and hear from a Ramsey resident on considerations for potentially renaming Central Park.  The renaming request is understood to recognize Loral I Delaney, a long time resident and a person of distinguished life-time achievements, and daughter of Fred Armstrong, the name sake of Armstrong Boulevard.
 

Staff will briefly highlight the above and provide verbal background on some of the history pertaining to Central Park, (5 minutes).

Ramsey resident Ron Schara will present detail and rationale for renaming Ramsey's Central Park (10 to 15 minutes).

No funding is implicated in the consideration of this topic. A funding source may need to be identified if Central Park would be renamed, for various things like maps and and publications, or for signage in and around the park.

Kurt Ulrich and Mark Riverblood

Determine if Council wishes to further pursue renaming Central Park—and if so, identify the next steps.