CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
City Council Interoffice Communication
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Patrick Brenden, City Council Member/ B
Date: May 30, 2017
Subject: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEM FOR THE JUNE 5, 2017, CITY
COUNCIL MEETING - PARK NAMING FOR THE PARCEL PARKLAND
AT 17TH STREET AND ORANGE AVENUE
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Recently, a request was presented by Huntington Beach Preserve Our Past (POP) to have the Community Services Commission agendize the issue of restoring the original name of the parcel of parkland that is the former Rodgers Senior Center site located at 1706 Orange Avenue.
This site is significant historically as it was one of three parcels deeded to the city of Huntington Beach between 1911 and 1917, specifically for park use. The park was the site of only a ball field and playground until 1948 when a building was moved to the site to house the Parks and Recreation Department and to serve as a recreation building.
In 1975, the building was rededicated as the City's Senior Center and in 1983/84 and it was renovated and expanded to create an assembly hall. At this time, the ball field was replaced by a parking lot. It was also in 1984 that the site was named for Michael E. Rodgers.
On Saturday, August 17, 2017, the Huntington Beach Preserve Our Past organization is planning to hold a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the land being deeded to the City and to a celebration of the site's history. They have requested that, if possible, appropriate research by the Historic Resource Board and the Huntington Beach Preserve our Past organization be reviewed by the Park Naming and Memorials subcommittee of the Community Services Commission, so that site can be officially and appropriately named by this date. The following timeline would accommodate this request:
June 5, 2017 - City Council refers to Community Services Commission (CSC) June 14, 2017 - CSC refers to Park Naming & Memorials Committee (PNMC) July 12, 2017 - CSC considers recommendation of PNMC, forwards to City Council August 7, 2017 - City Council considers action
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Refer consideration of the name of the Park at 17 and Orange to Community Services Commission Park Naming and Memorial Committee for review and return with recommendation to City Council on August 7, 2017.
Xc: Fred Wilson, City Manager
Ken Domer, Assistant City Manager
Robin Estanislau, City Clerk
Janeen Laudenback, Director of Community Services