COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
7.3.23 – Page 1
Policy 7.3.23 Naming/Renaming Parks & Recreation Facilities POLICY PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide the process and responsibility for naming or renaming City Parks and Recreation facilities.
POLICY STATEMENT:
Naming Parks and Recreation f acilities shall be the responsib ility of the City Council.
Any name considerations will first be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission who will make a recommendation to the City Council for naming or renaming any park and recreation facility. The following criteria will be utilized in naming Parks and Recreation facilities:
The majority of City parks presently have the name of the planning district in which they are located. Any new parks should follow the same pattern, if possible. Where this is not possible, the following criteria will be given consideration in naming a park or facility within a park:
1. Greatest consideration should be given to a name that has historical significance to the City of Sunnyvale or is in some other way associated with a Sunnyvale event, historical feature, or other community-related action.
2. Where open space has been purchased that was formerly school property or adjoined a school, and the name of the school has community significance or community recognition, consideration of the school name should be given in naming the park.
3. Naming a park for a specific individual will only be considered if that individual has made a significant contribution to the City of Sunnyvale. Names honoring individuals or families of living persons must be supported by compelling reasons.
4. Other name considerations will only be considered if one of the three above criteria does not provide a suitable name.
5. Facilities within a park which have not otherwise been named by Council may be provided identification signs by staff, limited to either the word “Sunnyvale” or the Park’s official name, followed by a generic description of the facility. (e.g. “Las Palmas Dog Park” or “Sunnyvale Skatepark”).
(Adopted: RTC 83-295 (7/5/1983); (Amended: RTC 05-284 (10/18/2005); (Clerical/clarity update, Polic y Update Project 11/2005); Administrative update (March 2012))
Lead Department: Department of Library and Community Services Attachment 1