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
Public Hearing and 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 drea...
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