COMMUNITY & LIBRARY SERVICES COMMISSION
REQUEST FOR ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY & LIBRARY SERVICES COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Charlene Gomez, Sr. Administrative Assistant
Subject:
title
Naming of an Area within Huntington Central Park East, Referred to as the “The Nature Plateau”
body
Statement of Issue:
There is a need to formally name an area of Huntington Central Park referred to as “The Nature Plateau.”
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and make a recommendation to City Council to formally name an area of Huntington Central Park East, as “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission’s Park Naming & Memorials Committee (Committee).
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly
Analysis:
Per Resolution 2017-25 (Attachment 1), the naming of parks and park amenities, are vetted through the Community & Library Services Commission (Commission) for recommendation to City Council for final approval. At the May 8, 2024, Commission meeting, staff recommended the Committee, comprised of Commissioners Barnes, Costelloe and McHardy, reconvene to review the formal naming of the area being referred to as “The Nature Plateau.”
The “Nature Plateau” area is located on the upper east side of Huntington Central Park, where the former park restrooms existed (Attachment 2). To assist with beautifying this space, volunteers from the Huntington Beach Tree Society installed boulders and landscaped the area, creating a tranquil, relaxing section within the park. Since the completion of the beautification project, the area has been utilized by many park-goers who enjoy active and passive activities in the serene space. As a result of the passive nature and the flatness of the area, this space has grown to be referred to as “The Nature Plateau”.
The Park Naming & Memorials Committee met on June 28, 2024, for an initial review of the project. The Committee reviewed the park naming criteria, which allows for the naming of sections of Huntington Central Park, in addition to reviewing other criteria, including the past mayors list. To assist the Committee with recommending a name to the Commission, staff provided initial responses from a public survey (Attachment 3), which was open until July 8, 2024. The survey asked the public if they would like to keep the current referred to name, “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau,” or if they would like to suggest another name.
At the July 12, 2024 Committee meeting, the survey responses were reviewed.
• 163 respondents
• 167 names suggested
• 16 existing park names were disqualified, per Resolution 2017-25 Section 9
Of the remaining names, the Committee considered the top 3 names suggestions with the highest duplicate submissions:
• Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau or variation thereof
• Jay Duval Nature Plateau or variation thereof
• Steve and Shari Engel or variation thereof
An overwhelming majority of survey responses suggested “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” or a variation of “The Nature Plateau” for this naming opportunity. The Committee unanimously voted to forward the recommendation of naming the area the “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” to the Commission.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution 2017-25
2. Huntington Central Park Map
3. Community Survey Results Summary