REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Chris Cole, Community & Library Services Manager
Subject:
title
Approve the naming of the area located on the upper east side of Huntington Central Park commonly referred to as “The Nature Plateau,” to “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission
body
Statement of Issue:
There is a need to formally name the area of Huntington Central Park referred to as “The Nature Plateau.”
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the naming of the area of Huntington Central Park referred to as “The Nature Plateau,” to “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” as recommended by the Community & Library Services Commission.
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The “Nature Plateau” area is located on the upper east side of Huntington Central Park, where the former park restrooms existed. 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 (Committee) met on June 28, 2024, for an initial review of the project. To assist the Committee with recommending a name to the Commission, staff provided initial responses from a public survey, which was open until July 8, 2024. The survey asked the public if they would like to keep the current 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 three name 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
The Committee voted to forward the recommendation of naming the area “Huntington Central Park Nature Plateau” to the Community & Library Services Commission (Commission). At the August 14, 2024 Commission meeting, the Commission approved the recommendation from the Park Naming & Memorials Committee.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Nature Plateau Location
2. PowerPoint