06-02-2021 Park Board Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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8. New Business A. Determine process to name new park at Centerville Road and Birch Street Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, informed the Park Board that the City Council awarded the construction contract for the development of four pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and parking area to be located at Centerville Road and Birch Street. He continued that staff has attended pre-construction meetings in preparation of construction commencing later this month. He stated that with the development of this park imminent, staff is recommending the Park Board develop a process to officially name this park. The final recommendation would then be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Clark Gooder said he would like residents involved in naming the park and that we could post something on the City website where they could submit names and the Park Board could review them. He stated maybe even put something in the Quad City Press. William Kusterman asked if there would be an opportunity to sell the naming rights. DeGardner stated that yes it could be possible, however usually that route was more for an athletic facility or something where there is a lot of traffic coming in and marketing opportunities for a company. He stated that a neighborhood park wouldn’t be that attractive. Patrick Huelman commented that this park is different because normally the parks are name after a development that they are going into or serve. This park may be named based on its natural surrounding area. He stated that naming it after a person may be controversial and possibly risky, but if he was thinking of a name he would throughout there it would be George Lindy. Huelman stated that Lindy was part of the park board for 30-40 years and was instrumental when working with City staff identifying and evaluating properties within Lino Lakes for future parks. Kusterman said he thought it was a great suggestion to name the park after Lindy, however much of the community does not know who Lindy is and what he has done for the city. Kusterman stated he also liked the idea of letting the community weigh-in on the naming process. Abby Haworth suggested that we collect a few names for the park and then place a poll on Facebook where the community could click and cast their vote for the name they like. Gooder reiterated that he liked the idea of getting the community involved with name suggestions. He mentioned that naming it after a specific person could prove difficult for future naming of parks and balls fields and having to decide why one person is more worthy than another to have something named after them. DeGardner stated that he agreed that community involvement would be good. The information could be put on the City website and then pushed on social media. Residents could submit their name suggestions and then there could be a vote on the names. The Park Board could then look at the feedback and make their recommendation for the name based on community feedback.