8.01.003_Facility and Park Naming Policy and Park Amenity Donation PolicyCITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 1 OF 6
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Facility and Park Naming Policy and Park Amenities Donation Policy
(“Policy”) is to define the policies, procedures and responsibilities associated with the
naming of City parks, facilities, and major amenities, and the conditions for acceptance
of donated park amenities. Establishing this Policy will:
1. Provide a structure to review and accept or decline public requests for the naming
of parks, facilities and major amenities.
2. Allow and acknowledge the public for donations of park improvement amenities.
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Policy, the following definitions are used:
City: City of Rohnert Park.
Facilities: City owned buildings and other constructed improvements or property fixtures
that are used to provide services to the public or used to conduct City business.
Parks: City owned parks, open space and trail areas. Park sites include developed and
undeveloped park areas and designated open space.
Major Amenity: A substantial amenity within a park or facility, such as a ball field, pool,
meeting room, or multi-purpose room.
Donated Improvement Amenity: A tangible item that is installed in a facility or park,
pursuant to a donation made in accordance with the requirements this Policy, to add
aesthetic value, improved functionality, or accommodations that provide additional ease
of use for the public. Examples of donated improvement amenities include, but are not
limited to, park benches, bike racks, trees, and picnic tables.
3. POLICY
3.1 General. The policy of the City is to name parks, facilities, and major amenities in a
manner that will provide an easy and recognizable reference for the City’s residents
and visitors. Therefore, naming options will always consider a name based on
geographic location. However, the policy also establishes conditions for the
consideration of naming options based on other factors. The policy also established
conditions for members of the public to donate park improvement amenities in honor
or memory of individuals.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 2 OF 6
3.2 Naming Facilities, Parks, and Major Amenities.
3.2.1 Naming New Facilities and Parks. Whenever possible, all new City
facilities and parks will be named for their geographic location. The
geographic location is based upon Section letter, major street, landmark or
prominent type of foliage/tree. However, facilities and parks may be named
after an individual or family if the requirements of section 3.2.4 are met.
3.2.2 Re-Naming Established Facilities and Parks. In general, existing facilities
and park names shall not be changed in order to preserve historical
significance and recognition. However, existing facilities and parks may be
renamed after an individual or family if the requirements of section 3.2.4 are
met. Facilities and parks already named after an individual or family cannot
be renamed after another individual or family except for good cause as
determined by the City Council, which shall include situations where the
individual or family that the facility or park is named after falls out of good
legal, ethical or moral standing within the community.
3.2.3 Naming of a Major Amenity. Major Amenities should be named based on
the identification of the function of the major amenity. Major amenities may
be named or renamed after an individual or family if the requirements of
section 3.2.4 are met, provided that the name of the major amenity also
identifies the function of the major amenity. In general, existing names of
major amenities shall not be changed in order to preserve historical
significance and recognition. Major amenities already named after an
individual or family cannot be renamed after another individual or family
except for good cause as determined by the City Council.
3.2.4 Naming a Facility, Park or Major Amenity in Honor or Memory of an
Individual/Family. City facilities, parks, and major amenities may be named
after persons living or deceased. The naming of new or renaming of existing
facilities, parks, or major amenities to commemorate an individual or family
may be considered when the individual or family has made exceptional
contributions to the City, including one or more of the following:
A. Significant land or financial gifts of 50% or more of the property value
and/or the remaining capital costs of the life of the park, facility, or major
amenity as determined by the Community Services Director;
B. Public service as an elected or appointed officer in the amount of 20 or
more years;
C. Public service as a community volunteer for the amount of 20 or mor e
years;
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 3 OF 6
D. Deceased in the line of duty as part of service to the City.
3.2.5 Memorial Plaques. In the event that a facility, park, or major amenity is
named or renamed to commemorate an individual or family, a memorial
plaque may be placed on, in or around the facility, park, or major amenity at
the expense of the City with no more than 150 words detailing the significant
contributions made by the individual or family being honored. T he memorial
plaque will meet the requirements set forth in sections 3.3.2 to 3.3.5.
3.3 Donated Improvement Amenities
3.3.1 Acceptance of Donated Improvement Amenities. The City may accept a
donated improvement amenity subject to the conditions in this Section 3.3.
In order to accept a donated improvement amenity, the proposed donated
improvement amenity must meet a need of the park, not interfere with the
intended current or future use of the park, and not require the relocation of
other equipment, infrastructure, or other amenities in order to accommodate
the proposed donated improvement amenity, and the donor must provide for
the cost of maintaining the donated improvement amenity over the expected
life cycle. Donors of donated improvement amenities shall be acknowledged
only in accordance with this Policy. All donated improvement amenities
become property of the City.
3.3.2 Acquisition. The City and the community have an interest in ensuring that
park elements purchased and installed be of high quality related to style,
appearance, durability, and ease of maintenance. The City staff will be
responsible for the acquisition, purchase and installation of donated
improvement amenities.
3.3.3 Appearance and Aesthetics. The City and the community have an interest
in ensuring the best appearance and aesthetic quality of their public facilities.
Donated improvement amenities and/or their associated donation
acknowledgements should reflect the character of the park or facility. All
park elements will be installed in such a manner that will not substantially
change the character of a park or its intended use.
3.3.4 Maintenance. Donated improvement amenities, and/or their associated
donation acknowledgements, become City property. The City shall make
best efforts to maintain the donated improvement amenity, but shall have no
duty to maintain the donated improvement amenities for the entire expected
life cycle of the donation or beyond. If current contact information is on file,
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 4 OF 6
the City will attempt to notify the donor at the expiration of the original life
cycle.
3.3.5 Repair. The City has an interest in ensuring that all park elements remain
in good repair. In addition, the public has an interest in ensuring that the
short and long-term repair costs are reasonable. Repair parts and materials
must be readily available. Donated improvement amenities must be of high
quality to ensure a long life, be resistant to the elements, wear and tear, and
to acts of vandalism.
3.3.6 Cost. The City has an interest in ensuring that the donor covers the full-cost
of the purchase, installation, and maintenance during the expected life cycle
of donated improvement amenities. Consequently, the City may request as
a condition of accepting the donation, that the donor cover anticipated on-
going maintenance of donated improvement amenities during their life
expectancy, as determined by the Community Services Director. The
schedule of life cycle costs for donated improvement amenities shall be
maintained by the Community Services Director and adjusted periodically to
reflect inflation.
3.3.7 Donation Acknowledgements/Memorial Plaques on Donated
Improvement Amenities. Acknowledgements or memorial plaques will be
utilized only for donations of benches, picnic tables, and large play
structures. Donation acknowledgements and memorial plaques, as
approved by the City, are to be directly affixed to the donation and are to be
purchased through the City. Donation acknowledgements/memorial plaques
will be of a standard size (2.5 inches by 6 inches) and material established
by the City of Rohnert Park. The Community Services Department will
approve all text for donation acknowledgements/memorial plaques and will
purchase these items from a City-approved vendor to ensure highest quality,
life, and durability. Acknowledgements and/or memorial plaques are limited
to a maximum of three lines, and donors may choose from the following three
acknowledgement/memorial options: “Donated by ___________,” “In
memory of __________,” or “Dedicated to __________,” or “In Celebration
of__________,” or “In Recognition of ____________.”
3.3.8 Additional Donations/Requests: Should an individual or family request
additional acknowledgement not addressed in this policy, a request to the
City in writing may be submitted. The request will be reviewed by staff, the
Parks and Recreation Commission and, if approved by the Parks and
Recreation Commission, a formal recommendation will be submitted to City
Council for consideration.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 5 OF 6
3.3.9 Installation: Installation of donated park elements, including the donor
acknowledgement/memorial plaques, will be completed by City personnel.
The installation will be scheduled at the time and date as determined by the
Community Services Department so as to not unnecessarily interfere with
routine park and facility maintenance.
3.3.10 Removal or Relocation. All donated improvement amenities, including
any acknowledgments or memorial plaques, shall be subject to removal or
relocation if, in the discretion of the City, they interfere with site safety or
maintenance, or if removal or relocation is necessary to accommodate
construction activities. Such action may be taken without notification to the
donor. At the end of the anticipated life-cycle of any donated improvement
amenities, the City may also remove the donated improvement amenity
without further notice to the donor. If current contact information is on file,
the City shall attempt to contact the donor at the end of the anticipated life
cycle of the donated improvement amenity and allow the original donor an
opportunity to provide for a renewal donation of an equivalent new donated
improvement amenity. The City may seek an alternate donor should the
original donor not provide a renewal donation, or if the City is unable to locate
the original donor.
4 APPLICATION PROCESS
4.2 To request the naming or re-naming of a City facility, park, or major amenity,
an application must be submitted to the Community Services Department.
Community Services Staff will determined eligibility based on the criteria set
forth in this policy. If eligible, based on City Council Protocols, the following
process will take place:
4.2.1 The request will be submitted to the appropriate commission, board or
committee for public hearing.
4.2.2 If after the public hearing the commission, board or committee
recommends the naming or renaming of the City facility, park or major
amenity to the City Council, the City Council will hold a public hearing
prior to taking action on the request.
4.3 To donate a park improvement amenity, an application must be submitted to
the Community Services Department. Community Services Staff will review
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK FACILITYAND
PARK NAMING POLICY AND PARK
AMENITY DONATION POLICY
POLICY NO.
8.01.003
RESO. NO.
2018-107
EFF. DATE
AUGUST 14,
2018
PAGE 6 OF 6
the application and determine eligibility based on the criteria set forth in this
policy.