City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Recommendation from the City Council Naming Committee to Change the Name of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a recommendation from the City Council Naming Committee to change the name of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Receive this report and schedule the recommendation from the City Council Naming Committee to change the name of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park for public hearing on February 20, 2021; and
(2) After the public hearing adopt the recommendation from the City Council Naming Committee to change the name of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) received two suggestions for the renaming of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park:
1. Shirley Tyler Park: Mrs. Shirley Tyler was a community leader in Alexandria for more than 40 years. Tyler and her family moved to Arlandria in 1965 where she was a resident until her death in February 2018. They were the first African American homeowners in their neighborhood. Tyler became involved in the Arlandria Civic Association. In 1973, Tyler was appointed to the Alexandria School Board. From 1974 to 1976, she served as vice chair and from 1980 to 1982 served as the first African American female chairperson. She was an educator. From 1969 to 1979, she was a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Grace Episcopal School. In 1975, she became the Headmistress and remained in that position until her retirement in 1989. (Attachment 1)
2. Unity Park: Unity Park reflects the “hopes and dreams that we have for this park…it would be a place of connection, recreation, and fun for all of the people that live in the neighborhoods surrounding it. It would also serve as a reminder of where we have come from and where we are going. In addition, the name also speaks to the fact that it sits between several neighborhoods and recognizes all the work the residents of the various surrounding neighborhoods put into the original park construction.” (Attachment 2)
DISCUSSION: In response to RPCA receiving requests to rename 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park (Attachment 3), RPCA issued a community survey asking the community to vote for their preferred name. The survey was open from January 20 to March 14 (55 days). The survey received 456 responses (Attachment 4). The name Shirley Tyler received 82% of the vote or 371 respondents selecting Shirley Tyler as their preferred name. As a result of the overwhelming support for Shirley Tyler, staff recommended that 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park be renamed Shirley Tyler Park.
On December 15, 2020, the City Council Naming Committee (Councilwoman Del Pepper, Chair; Councilman John Chapman; and Jack Browand, RPCA, City Manager Designee) voted unanimously to recommend to City Council to approve the renaming of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Park.
Following the December 15, 2020 City Council Naming Committee meeting and in response to the Naming Committee’s desire to recognize the recommendation of Unity Park, a community member suggested modifying the park name to Shirley Tyler Unity Park.
On January 28, 2021, the City Council Naming Committee voted unanimously to recommend to City Council to approve the renaming of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park. Therefore, staff is recommending the renaming of 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park to Shirley Tyler Unity Park (Attachment 5).
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to install a new park identification sign and biographical sign, and to replace the existing regulatory signage is approximately $5,500.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Shirley Tyler Park Naming Proposal
2. Unity Park Naming Proposal
3. 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Site Map
4. Engagement Survey
5. January 28, 2021 Naming Committee Meeting Packet
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Judy Lo, Acting Principal Planner, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Ana Vicinanzo, Urban Planner, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities