Submitted by Jim Kopriva, Communications Manager for the City of Lakewood.
The City of Lakewood has noted the stirring conversation here about a recent proposal to rename Fort Steilacoom Park to Claudia B. Thomas Park.
We are pleased to see so much commentary about the application – this is how the process works!
Any resident or group is welcome to apply to rename a municipal park or facility. That’s what has happened here – a resident has filed an application and the City is following the defined process to consider it.
After receipt, the Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) reviews the application at a regularly scheduled meeting. This hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Among other criteria, any suggested name must “have broad public support.” PRAB will factor the Suburban Times’ poll and your recent commentary.
An affirmative recommendation from PRAB would advance to City Council for consideration, and the City might place a public notice to generate additional input.
All are welcome to submit public testimony. Comments are invited by Nikki York at nyork@cityoflakewood.us.
In this instance, it’s not that the City is an agent of change – it’s that we acknowledge suggestions and follow a fair process to consider them.
Part of my job is to ensure two-way communication between you and your government. What you say on social media, MyLakewood311, the Suburban Times – it matters, and I try to bring it to the attention of the folks that need to see it. I hope this is evidence of that.
Jim Kopriva,
I am pleased to witness the excellent role you are performing to help citizens see the truth and facts related to the City of Lakewood’s limited supportive role regarding the citizen suggestion that the park be renamed.
While I happen to know better, a good many citizens who do not read your clear explanation of the limited role The City of Lakewood plays in this process may well inappropriately become disappointed, or angry at The City of Lakewood, the mayor, city council members, and city administration.
Excellent work on your part.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident – 51 years
Yes…many thanx for providing this explanation.
Gee maybe they’ll want to change the cities name…Lakewood too?
@R.Lopaka
I did get a chuckle out of this one. Maybe someday, we will someone apply to change the name.
For today, we’re celebrating the 25th Anniversary of “Lakewood”, so I think the name is safe for the time being. Hope to see you at the event today (4-8p at Colonial Plaza).
Thank you for explaining the renaming process.
Since any individual can suggest a change and the process requires every request to be treated equally, even if it does not have broad support I think the overwhelmingly negative feedback will be sufficient to stop this from going forward.
Fort Steilacoom Park is Lakewood’s crown jewel and it’s historic name connecting to the original indigenous inhabitants of the area, the historic Fort Steilacoom and the state’s first town, Steilacoom is its natural name.
I agree with your comments and information Robert. I think Ft Steilacoom Park should remain as named.
Thanks for explaining the city of Lakewood’s limited role in facilitating a citizen’s application, you might lead with this info next time to avoid unnecessary rancor and misunderstanding..
Thanks
How can one person apply to change the name of Ft Steilacoom park an historic park which is part of our county and state history and not just Lakewood. This just doesn’t make since to me that Lakewood would entertain this idea of a one person. When a school has already been named in her honor. If she was a mayor of Lakewood why not rename a government facility in her honor and not an historic 360 acre park. I hope that all the input from the surrounding communities is taken into consideration in this decision and the poll of a sample of folks who whole heartedly do not want the park name changed.
I think that many see a headline and assume significant momentum. That’s really not the case here. An application was completed and the default process is being followed. That’s where we are today – not very far at all.
The application has not been considered by the City yet, only received.
When a renaming application is filed, that triggers a public notice of a “hearing” to be scheduled. The hearing is just a docket item on an upcoming Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting. A hearing is simply an opportunity for comments to be entered on the record specific to an issue, and the notification process helps to generate those comments and inform the community of opportunities to speak on particular issues.
We are bound to entertain applications and comments from residents. The applicant followed the proper procedure and was perfectly within their right to file an application. Now it will follow the process, which includes listening to public sentiment.