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Date Adopted:
Date Approved:
Effective Date:
City Attorney Approval: ______ Resolution No.
RESOLUTION NO. ____________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, RENAMING THE VAN NESS AND
WELDON POCKET PARK TO “TROLLEY” PARK
WHEREAS, the City of Fresno owns property located at APN 444- 153-28s commonly known as the Van Ness and Weldon Pocket Park; and WHEREAS, the City of Fresno and community leaders broke ground on a new park in the Fresno High neighborhood, located at Van Ness and Weldon Avenues, on July 29, 2022; and
WHEREAS, in keeping with the historical nature of the neighborhood this resolution intends to acknowledge the old “Fresno Traction Company” trolley car system whose lines ran along Wishon Avenue near Fresno High School and Fresno City College until it was discontinued in 1939; and
WHEREAS, by 1874 the Fresno County Seat had relocated from the river town of Millerton, along the San Joaquin River to the Fresno Station, a siding of the Southern Pacific Railroad; and was incorporated into the City of Fresno in 1885; and WHEREAS, the Fresno Traction Company was chartered in 1903. Two years later it secured a lease encompassing all tracks owned by the Fresno Railway Company marking the commencement of an expansion in Fresno Traction’s mileage; and WHEREAS, by 1920 , the Fresno Traction Company operated cars along six routes: Blackstone, Recreation Park, Arlington Heights, J Street & Wishon Avenue, Roeding Park, and West Fresno; and
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WHEREAS, the Roeding Park streetcar line was completed in 1912; and expanded northward towards the San Joaquin River crossing through, the Historical Fresno High Neighborhood, which created the extension of the notable Wishon Line Car , passing under the Santa Fe tracks south of Shields Avenue; and
WHEREAS, in 1913 the Fresno Traction Company obtained a franchise along Wishon Avenue, initiating the construction of an inter -urban line to Fresno Beach on the San Joaquin River. Upon its completion, regular service to Fresno Beach commenced; and
WHEREAS, during the peak years of streetcar travel, between the years of 1902 and 1929; trolleys and street cars carried tens of thousands of riders along almost 200 miles of track; and
WHEREAS, by the end of the 1920s, automobiles began to compete with trolleys and revenues begin to fall as more and more people chose to drive; and WHEREAS, i n 1939, streetcar services had ended as the last two lines were abandoned, and the National City Lines took over the trolley routes , switching their services to buses; and
WHEREAS, following the conversion of the Fresno Traction Company into the Fresno City Lines ; the streetcar tracks were dismantled and some right -of-ways were converted into new roadways; and
WHEREAS, the 1914 Wishon Avenue underpass that had previously been used only for streetcar service ; has now become an underpass for a one- way southbound roadway; and
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WHEREAS, pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-101 the Council has the ability to name or rename public facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Fresno as follows:
1. The park currently known as the Van Ness and Weldon Park shall hereafter be named “Trolley” Park.
2. This resolution is adopted in accordance with Section 8 of Administrative Order 6-2.
3. This resolution shall be effective upon final approval. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF FRESNO ) ss.
CITY OF FRESNO )
I, TODD STERMER, City Clerk of the City of Fresno, certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Fresno, at a regular meeting held on the day of 2024.
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
ABSTAIN :
TODD STERMER, CMC
City Clerk
By:
Date
Deputy
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ANDREW JANZ
City Attorney
By:
Angela M. Karst D ate
Senior Deputy City Attorney