Ag n rt
October 24, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Parks Recreation and Community Service Department SUBJECT: NAMING OF THE NEW PARK AND THE ASSOCIATED TRAIL, LOCATED AT 1410 WIERFIELD DRIVE
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action of naming a City park not a "project" as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21065 and Section 15378(b)(4) and (5) of the State CEQA Guidelines and, as such, is not subject to environmental review; and
2. Approve that the new park located at 1410 Wierfield Drive be named "Annandale Canyon Preserve" and the associated trail be named "Yayaaytnga Trail." BACKGROUND:
In 2009, the City acquired the undeveloped properties known as Annandale Canyon Estates for the purpose of preserving it as open space. This open space includes 20.63 acres in Annandale Canyon located within the San Rafael Hills in the western portion of the City, and just north of the 134 freeway and the Annandale Golf Course.
In February 2022, the Public Works Department completed construction of a trail in Annandale Canyon. Located at 1410 Wierfield Drive, new amenities include a½ mile pedestrian trail leading to a beautiful scenic overlook, six parking spaces, one bench near the beginning of the trail, and one at the overlook.
Consistent with the City's PLJb/ic Park and Recreational Facility Naming Policy (see Attachment A), the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) initiated a public outreach effort to solicit public input for the park's official name. All 82 property owners within a 1,000 foot radius of the new park site received a postcard with a link to a park name survey. The postcard also provided a telephone number if the property owner did not wish to respond electronically. Public input for a preferred name was limited to one submission per IP address.
MEETING OF 10/24/2022 'AGENDA ITEM NO. ____ _ 11
. Naming of New Park and Associated Trail Located at 141 O Wierfield Drive October 24, 2022
On July 11, 2022, an online survey was posted on the City's website asking residents to propose names for the new park based on the Policy's naming criteria outlined below:
• Geographical location of the park or facility;
• Natural or geological features proximate to the park or facility; • Cultural or historical significance to the City or surrounding neighborhood; or, • Name of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community, country, state or the field of parks and recreation.
At the close of the two-week period, 12 submissions were received. The submitted names were vetted for adherence to the City's naming policy.
The suggested names are as follows:
Suaaested Name # of Votes
Wierfield Trail 6
Annandale Canyon Trail 2
Douglas Kranwinkle Trail 1
Glen Oaks Park 1
Irresponsible Trair 1
Quarter Million Dollar Boondoggle Park* 1
Total 12
* Suggestion not consistent with naming policy criteria On August 9, 2022, PRCS presented a report to the Recreation and Parks Commission requesting they recommend to the City Council a name for the new park. The report also detailed the public outreach process and public input received for naming ofthe park. Following discussion, the Commission proposed the name Annandale Canyon Preserve but wanted this item to return to a future Commission meeting as they wanted to identify and recommend a Native name for the trail. At the October 5, 2022 Commission meeting, "Yayaaytnga" (pronounced Ya-yite-na), was formally recommended as the trail name.
The recommended park name reflects and celebrates the conservation success story of Annandale Canyon. This land was under threat of development and preserved by the City, local residents, and a grant from Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The Gabrielino-Tongva name "Yayaaytnga" which means "place of the birds," was proposed by Tina Calderon, a Tongva, Chumash, Yoeme Culture Bearer and Tongva Language Committee member. During Ms. Calderon's Annandale Canyon visit, she was greeted by a number of native birds, and this interaction served as the inspiration for the recommended trail name.
Upon approval of a name by the City Council, City staff will have the park's monument sign fabricated and constructed.
Naming of New Park and Associated Trail Located at 1410 Wierfield Drive October 24, 2022
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The naming process presented is consistent with the City's Public Park and Recreational Facility Naming Policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
CEQA excludes from environmental analysis those actions that are not "projects" as defined by State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. That section excludes from the definition of "project" the creation of government funding mechanisms and fiscal activities which do not yet commit the lead agency to any specific project, and also excludes organizational or administrative governmental activities that do not result in physical changes to the environment. The action proposed for the naming of a park facility is part of the City's normal administrative process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
Prepared by:
En
Mana
Approved by:
. ~ ·~ ~
MIGUEL ~QUEZ
City Manager
Respectfully submitted,
Attachment A - Public Park and Recreational Facility Naming Policy