City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01878 12/9/2025
Renaming Willow Park to Veterans Park
File ID: 2025-01878
Location: District 1
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) renaming Willow Park as Veterans Park; and 2) establishing the Willow Park Renaming CIP as L19177300.
Contact: Jason Wiesemann, Park Planning and Development Services Manager, [email protected]; (916) 808-7634, Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Willow Park Location Map
3-Councilmember Kaplan-Letter of Support
4-Mayor McCarty- Letter of Support
5-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment (Department) is seeking City Council’s approval to rename Willow Park to Veterans Park.
Willow Park is an existing 2.5-acre neighborhood park located at 2451 Rose Arbor Drive in the Heritage Park neighborhood (District 1).
The City was contacted by Heritage Park Veterans Club with interest in renaming the neighborhood park. The Heritage Park Veterans Club provides Heritage Park Veterans of all services an opportunity to meet and discuss mutual interests. The club recognizes significant events pertaining to veterans through ceremonies and assists veterans with resolution of problems pertaining to their previous service. The club has held fundraising events to support the renaming effort.
If approved by City Council, the sign replacement will be paid for by donations through Gifts to Share.
Councilmember Kaplan and Mayor McCarty have provided letters of support for the renaming of the
File ID: 2025-01878 12/9/2025
park.
Policy Considerations: On February 26, 2008, City Council adopted Resolution 2008-112, establishing a Facility Naming Policy. The policy contains guidance when naming facilities or portions of facilities. The proposed name is consistent with the City Facility Naming Policy.
Economic Impacts: If renaming is approved by City Council, the cost of a new park naming sign will be funded through private donations from the community.
Environmental Considerations: The proposed project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.” The project consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: On November 6, 2025, the Parks and Community Enrichment Commission recommended that the City Council approve the renaming of Willow Park to Veterans Park.
Rationale for Recommendation: Renaming Willow Park to Veterans Park is consistent with the City’s Facility Naming Policy.
Financial Considerations: If renaming is approved by City Council, the community has raised funding to cover the costs for the new signage through Gifts to Share.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Attachment 2
Vicinity Map (2451 Rose Arbor Drive)
October 13th, 2025
To
Whom
it
May
Concern
,
My name is Lisa Kaplan, and I serve as the Councilmember for District 1 on the Sacramento City Council.
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support for the renaming of Willow Park to Veterans
Park.
For years, our local veterans have advocated for a public park to be dedicated as a testament to our community’s
gratitude
for
all
those
who
have
served
our
country
in
uniform.
Residents
throughout
District
1,
and
veterans
groups
across
the
city,
have
echoed
the
desire
for
a
park
where
community
members
can
come
to
honor
those
who’ve
served,
gather
in
remembrance
of
the
men
and
women
who
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice
for
our
country,
and
to
pay
tribute
to
everyone
who
makes
the
courageous
choice
to
join
the
armed
services.
In collaboration with the Heritage Park Veterans Club, community leaders from an array of backgrounds and
numerous
financial
supporters,
have
opened
an
account
with
the
City
of
Sacramento’s
non-profit
mechanism
in
conjunction
with
my
office.
That
account,
through
Gifts
to
Share,
is
necessary
to
fund
the
expenses
for
the
execution
of
this
renaming
project.
Because
of
the
passionate
support
for
this
project
amongst
our
community,
the
City
of
Sacramento
has
the
chance
to
fulfill
the
dreams
of
our
local
veterans
to
see
a
lasting
park
monument
in
their
community
which
celebrates
the
selflessness
of
heroes
who’ve
served
across
generations,
through
every
conflict,
to
keep
our
nation
safe
and
preserve
our
rights.
The establishment of a Veterans Park would not only be a fitting expression of our deep indebtedness to the
past
contributions
of
our
veterans;
it
would
also
be
a
beacon
of
inspiration
for
future
generations.
ROTC
students
would
assist
our
Veterans
Clubs
in
putting
on
memorials
and
celebrations,
every
resident
who
passes
would
be
reminded
of
the
sacrifices
that
enable
us
to
live
in
peace
and
security,
and
the
youth
who
consider
a
future
in
the
armed
forces
would
know
that
it’s
a
path
which
is
properly
respected,
valued
and
honored
by
our
community.
For these reasons, among many others, I am beyond proud to submit this letter of support for your consideration.
I
hope
that
you
will
join
us
in
honoring
our
local
veterans
by
making
Veterans
Park
a
reality.
Please feel free to contact my office at (916) 808-7001 or at [email protected] should you need
any
further
information.
Sincerely, Lisa Kaplan Councilmember, District 1 City of Sacramento
CITY HALL
915 I STREET, Fifth Floor
SACRAMENTO, CA
95814-2672
PH 916-808-5300
FAX 916-264-7680
[email protected]
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Kevin McCarty
Mayor
CITY OF SACRAMENTO
CALIFORNIA
October 15th, 2025
To Whom It May Concern,
As Mayor of Sacramento, I am pleased to express my strong support for the renaming of Willow Park to Veterans Park, located in District 1’s Heritage Park neighborhood.
This community-driven effort is largely the result of the dedication and advocacy of the Heritage Park Veterans Club, whose members have worked tirelessly to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Their vision for a lasting tribute reflects the deep appreciation shared by the City of Sacramento and its residents for the courage and commitment of those who have served in uniform.
The idea of renaming Willow Park was brought to my attention during a listening session with the Heritage Park community. Constituents and community members expressed a heartfelt desire to see this project realized. To support this meaningful initiative, my office has worked diligently to help raise funds for the renaming, including co-hosting a community-aide event in partnership with Councilmember Kaplan, the Veterans Club, and North Natomas community members.
If approved, Veterans Park will serve as a place of remembrance, reflection, and inspiration for generations to come. It will stand as a visible reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans and the values they upheld in service to our country.
We look forward to seeing this proposal advance through the Parks and Community Enrichment Committee and ultimately to the City Council for formal approval.
Sincerely,
Kevin McCarty, Mayor
City of Sacramento
RESOLUTION NO. 2025
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
December 9, 2025
APPROVING RENAMING WILLOW PARK TO VETERANS PARK
BACKGROUND
A. Willow Park is an existing 2.5-acre neighborhood park located at 2451 Rose Arbor Drive in the Heritage Park neighborhood (District 1).
B. On November 6, 2025, the Parks and Community Enrichment Commission considered and recommended that the City Council rename Willow Park to Veterans Park.
C. The Renaming of Willow Park to Veterans Park is consistent with the City of Sacramento Facility Naming Policy adopted by the City Council on February 26, 2008 (Resolution No.2008-0112).
D. The Heritage Park Veterans Club has privately raised funds through Gifts to Share to fund new park signage.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to:
1) Renaming Willow Park to Veterans Park is hereby approved;
2) Establish the Willow Park Renaming Project (L19177300).