(a) Purpose. To establish a formal policy and process for naming public parklands, facilities and structures in the City of Massillon. A sound policy can add meaning and significance that embodies the value and heritage of this community.
(b) Authorization. The City Council and /or the Director of Parks and Recreation shall be responsible for recommending to the Mayor the naming of all public parks, facilities and structures within the City of Massillon's Park system subject to the approval of the Recreation Board and passage by City Council of an ordinance authorizing such naming.
(c) Objectives.
(1) Provide name identification for individual parks.
(2) Provide name identification wherever appropriate on public buildings, structures, facilities, and specified areas.
(3) Provide for citizen input into the process of naming parks and facilities as enumerated above.
(4) Ensure co-operation and control for the naming of parks and facilities with the Recreation Board and City Council through the recommendations of the Director of Parks and Recreation, City Council, and Mayor.
(d) Qualifying Names. Names should provide some form of individual identity related to:
(1) The geographic location of the facility.
(2) An outstanding feature of the facility.
(3) The adjoining subdivision.
(4) Commonly recognized historical event, group or individual
(5) An individual or group who contributed significantly to the acquisition or development of the individual facility.
(6) An individual who provided an exceptional service in the interest of the park system as a whole.
(7) An individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution for the good of the community.
(8) An individual who through their professional pursuits has improved the quality of life in Massillon, promoted a specific sport, or brought recognition to the City of Massillon and/or its residents.
(e) Naming Process.
(1) At the time parkland or facility is acquired but before development occurs, the Director of Parks and Recreation will assign a nondescript temporary working name for the area or facility.
(2) Once the development is initiated, the Director of Parks and Recreation will receive naming applications for review.
(3) After a name is proposed by City Council, the Director and/or Mayor, public notice of the recommended Qualifying Name will occur twice during a thirty (30) day period in the City's newspaper. Citizen comments and recommendations must be in writing to the Director of Parks and Recreation and be postmarked within the thirty (30) day public notice period.
(4) For an individual (excluding historically significant individuals) to be considered, that person must have contributed significantly to the acquisition or development of the park or facility or to the park system overall. The recommended name must be accompanied by a biographical sketch which shall provide evidence of contributions to the community park, facility, or park system overall.
(5) After the thirty (30) day public notice period, the Director of Parks and Recreation will submit the recommended name to the Recreation Board for approval and/or comment at public hearing.
(6) Upon completion of the Recreation Board, the recommendation shall be submitted to Council for resolution and passage.
(7) A Public Hearing will be held by City Council prior to passage.
(f) Renaming
(1) The renaming of parks and facilities is strongly discouraged. It is recommended that efforts to change a name be subject to the most critical examination so as not to diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value of the prior contributors.
(2) Only those parks and facilities named for geographic location, outstanding feature or subdivision should be considered for renaming. Parks named by deed restriction cannot be considered for renaming.
(3) Parks and facilities named after individuals should never be changed unless it is found that the individual's personal character is or was such that the continued use of their name for a park or facility would not be in the best interest of the community.
(4) In order for a park or facility to be considered for renaming, the following must occur:
A. The recommended name must qualify according to subsection (d) of this policy, and;
B. Be accompanied by a petition from the particular park or facility users.
C. The procedure as set forth in subsection (e)(3) to (7) will be followed.
(g) Other Naming Alternatives.
(1) Parks and Facilities that are donated to the City can be named by deed restriction by the donor. The naming and acceptance of land is subject to approval by the Recreation board.
(2) Structures within parks, i.e. playgrounds, picnic shelters, etc. can be named separately from the parks and facilities they are in, subject to the general approving policies in subsection (e) of this policy.
(h) Plaques, Markers, Memorials.
(1) All plaques, markers, and memorials are subject to the same naming criteria in subsection (d) of this policy.
(2) Because of their proneness to vandalism and maintenance, plaques, markers, and memorials should be used sparingly.
(Ord. 124-2010. Passed 11-1-10.)