TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
FROM: P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to provide staff direction related to the naming of the new youth and senior center.
DATE: April 24, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City is currently in the planning phase of the new youth and senior center that is scheduled to break ground at the end of 2023 and slated to open to the public in the summer of 2025.
The design team is approaching the phase where brand and name will need to be addressed to finalize signage design.
Staff has generated a list of potential options and recommends naming the facility as The Oak Center. Additionally, staff is recommending that a branding tag line be coupled with the official name of the facility and is recommending some variation of “Where Connections Build Community” or “A Community Built by Connections”, e.g.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Consider the proposed options and recommendation in naming the new youth and senior center and provide direction to staff for moving forward; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
DISCUSSION
The Oak Center
The name "The Oak Center" reflects Bellflower’s history as well as the symbolism seen in the oak tree. Oak Street connects downtown Bellflower with John S. Simms Park and the community neighborhoods up to the City’s western border at Lakewood Boulevard. The street has been part of the City’s history, including the highs, lows, and now the revitalization with many new developments touching upon Oak Street.
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1 Staff Report – Naming of Youth and Senior Center
April 24, 2023
DISCUSSION – Continued
The reference to the oak tree is full of symbolism that will also reflect the vision for the center – serving and providing a safe and supportive space for two distinctly different generations to come together to socialize, learn, grow, and connect. Here are some specific ways in which the oak tree is a symbol of that vision:
Strength: Oak trees are strong and resilient, and they can withstand even the harshest weather conditions. This reflects the center's commitment to providing a safe and supportive space for the two generations that will be served, regardless of their circumstances.
Stability: Oak trees are rooted deeply in the ground, and they provide a sense of stability for the plants and animals that live around them. This reflects the center's commitment to providing a stable and supportive environment for the two generations that will be served, where they can feel safe and secure.
Longevity: Oak trees can live for hundreds of years, and they continue to grow and thrive even as they age. This reflects the center's commitment to providing a long-term resource for the community, where the two generations that will be served can come together to learn, grow, and connect.
Community: Oak trees can grow in groves, and the trees in a grove are connected by their roots. This reflects how the community center is a place where the two generations that will be served can come together and connect. It will be a place where the groups can build relationships and create a sense of community.
Potential Alternatives
Staff also generated a list of potential alternative names; below is what made the cut:
Heritage Center: Refers to the history, traditions, and qualities that are passed down or inherited in a society over time.
The Bridge: Suggests that the center is a place where individuals from different generations can come together and build bridges between them.
The Crossroads: This name suggests that the center is a place where individuals from different walks of life can come together to learn, grow, and connect. The Village: This name evokes a sense of community and belonging. It suggests that the center is a place where individuals can come together to support each other and build strong relationships.
The Oasis: This name is refreshing and inviting, and it suggests that the center is a place where individuals can come together to relax, rejuvenate, and connect. TAG (Together Across Generations) Center
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