TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: Councilmember Davis
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 09/13/2022
Approved Date 09/13/2022
SUBJECT: DELAY NAMING THE FUTURE PARK ON 1343 THE ALAMEDA
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Delay naming the future park on 1343 The Alameda. Return to the community with a new name to consider: Clara Louise Lawrence Park.
2. Accept the Master Plan document with the following modifications:
a. Work with the Council office and the neighborhood to determine which hardscape areas can be changed to permeable surfaces or native plant landscaping. b. Decline to use artificial turf anywhere in this park.
DISCUSSION
The community and the Shasta Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association have worked for many years to bring a park to this area. Together, we want to get the future park on 1343 The Alameda built as soon as possible. Therefore, we should move forward with the Master Plan document now.
However, the naming of the park needs more time. The two top name choices —Hanchett Park and The Alameda Park — have some historical issues. L.F. Hanchett was not a historically significant figure, and The Alameda was built by Ohlone Native Americans under the orders of Father Magin Catala.
Clara Louise Lawrence was a well-known writer of children’s stories and a poet of local significance. She lived near The Alameda from 1922-1942 at 1146 Randol Avenue. She wrote the poem titled “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” to describe the beauty of the orchards in Santa Clara Valley. As a woman who made significant contributions to San José, Clara Louise Lawrence should be considered with the names in attachment B.
Delaying the name of the future park will give the community time to consider Clara Louise Lawrence Park as a possible name for 1343 The Alameda, while moving forward with the final design and construction of the park.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: 09/13/2022
ITEM: 7.1