RPVCCA_CC_SR_2011_10_04_03_Selection_Of_Park_NamesMEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CAROLYNN PETRU,DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/INTERIM@)
DIRECTOR OF RECREATION &PARKS
OCTOBER 4,2011
SELECTION OF PARK NAMES
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER ci2-..
RECOMMENDATION
1)Change the name of.the Point Vicente Fishing Access to "Pelican Cove";and,2)
Select the name "Sea Star Beach"for the beach located below Founders Park.
BACKGROUND
The Point Vicente Fishing Access is in need of a new name due to new state
regulations that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1,2012 which will prohibit
both on-shore and off-shore fishing in the cove.Further,the City has the opportunity to
select a name for a small sandy beach that was recently transferred to the City by V.H.
Properties (Trump National Golf Club)as part of a larger open space dedication.
DISCUSSION
City Council Policy No.37 (Naming of Public Facilities and Placing of Monuments and
Other Memorials)states:
"The policy of the City is to name facilities in a manner that will provide an
easy and recognizable reference to the City's residents and visitors."
"Whenever possible,City facilities will be named of their geographical
location.The geographic location may be based on the identification of
the facility within a specific place,neighborhood,street,topographic or
other natural feature,such as a drainage course,tree or plant species,or
historical precedent."
"The naming of City facilities in honor of individuals or community
organizations will be a rare event...."
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Topic:Selection of Park Names
Date:October 4,2011
Page 2
Following a review of local history and guide books,as well as local maps and other
geographic documents,staff identified one preferred and two alternative names for
each of the two properties for Council's consideration.Undoubtedly,there are many
other options,and Council is certainly free to accept,modify or reject staff's
suggestions.A brief description of each property is provided below,followed the
naming suggestions and the background of each.
Point Vicente Fishing Access
The City acquired the Point Vicente Fishing Access from Los Angeles County through a
grant deed in May 2004.The 10.5-acre site is situated on a cove located between
Point Vicente (owned by the United States Coast Guard)on the north side and Long
Point (owned by Terranea Resort)on the south side.The park is improved with a
paved parking lot,a restroom building and a steep trail down to the rocky shoreline.
The City's property is also adjacent to a 2.2-acre public park on the Terranea property
that includes an extension of the parking lot and bluff top trails.Other amenities within
this section of the park include picnic tables,benches,interpretive signage,pay
telescopes and a large bronze sculpture of a California Brown Pelican recently installed
by the Palos Verdes P~ninsula Land Conservancy.
Staff's recommended name for this coastal park is:
•Pelican Cove -for the squadrons of California Brown Pelicans that can
frequently be seen flying past the cove and represented in the bronze sculpture
located near the parking lot.
Two alternatives for Council's consideration are:
•Lighthouse Cove -for the historic Point Vicente Lighthouse adjacent to the cove
which has stood guard over the safety of seagoing vessels since 1926.
•Toveemor Cove -for the prominent rock just beyond the shoreline which is an
identified California Coastal National Monument and the embodiment of a
Tongva Indian deity associated with the tribe's creation story.
The previous sign that identified the property as "Point Vicente Fishing Access"was
removed when the property was renovated during the construction of the Terranea
Resort.It has not been replaced in anticipation of the park being renamed in response
to the new Marine Life Protection Act regulations.Once a new name is selected,a new
sign can be designed and installed on the property.
V.H.Properties Parcel "G"
In May 2011,V.H.Properties (Trump National Golf Club)transferred an approximately
25-acre open space lot encompassing the nearly mile-long stretch of bluff face and
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Topic:Selection of Park Names
Date:October 4,2011
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beach area below Founders Park to the City as required by the project's conditions of
approval.The parcel is part of the Ocean Trails Reserve that runs the length of the
Trump National Golf Club property and is a subset of the larger 1ADO-acre Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve.The protected sandy southwest-facing beach at the base of
the coastal bluffs has become an increasingly popular local destination.In addition,
because Los Angeles County now provides lifeguard services at this beach during the
summer months and periodically throughout the year,it is helpful that this beach have
its own name for public safety purposes..
Staff's recommended name for this beach is:
•Sea Star Beach -for the brightly colored invertebrates found in the rocky pools
at this beach that can be seen at low tide.
Two alternatives for Council's consideration are:
•Sunset Beach -for the name of the existing public trail (Sunset Trail)that leads
down to this beach and the beautiful sunsets that can be enjoyed from this
location.
•Founders Beach -for the existing City park (Founders Park)located on the
promontory above the beach,which was named in honor of the men and women
who were instrumental in the formation of the City in 1973.
Although the City is currently studying the possibility of designating this beach or a
portion of it as an off-leash dog area,staff does not recommend including a reference
.to this use in the name,as it is still under review and subject to future action by City
Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Installation of a new park identification sign at the former Point Vicente Fishing Access
has an estimated cost between $800 and $1,000.There is currently no City park
identification sign at Founders Park,just the bronze dedication plaque set in a stone
pedestal adjacent to one of the walking paths.If desired,staff can return with options
and cost estimates for signage at this location to identify both the park and the beach.
ALTERNATIVES
1.Select names for the parks other than the ones suggested in this report.
2.Direct staff to explore other naming options for one or both of the parks.
3.Take no action.
Attachment:
City Council Policy No.37
V:\CAROLYNN\REPORTS\2011\20111004_park names.doc
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CITY COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER:37
DATE ADOPTED/AMENDED:01/07/03 (amended 9/15/09)
SUBJECT:Naming of Public Facilities and Placing of Monuments and Other
Memorials
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the City Council to name City facilities in the following
manner:
•General
The policy of the City is to name facilities in a manner that will provide an
easy and recognizable reference to the City's residents and visitors.
•Geographic location
Whenever possible,City facilities will be named for their geographic
location.The geographic location may be based on the identification of
the facility with a specific place,neighborhood,street,topographic or other
natural feature,such as a drainage course, tree or plant species,or
historical precedent.
•Individual/Organizational Recognition
The naming of City facilities in honor of individuals or community
organizations will be a rare event,and will be considered under the
following conditions:
1.The individual,a family or a community organization has made
exceptional contributions to the City,including one or more of the
following:a)financial gifts,b)public service as an elected official,c)
public service as a community volunteer,or d)long term
sponsorship agreements.
2.There should be a well-defined connection between the
contributions of the individual or community organization and the
City facility.
3.The significance of the contribution from the individual/organization
needs to be evaluated in relation to the impact of the City facility.
Individuals and organizations that have made contributions of
regional or community-wide significance may be considered for
naming of facilities that serve the entire City.Individuals and
organizations that have made significant contributions to a
particular area or neighborhood may be considered for the naming
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City Council Policy No.37 for Naming Public Facilities
Amended:September 15,2009
Page 2 of 4
of facilities that serve these areas or neighborhoods within the City,
including recreational and other amenities within City parks.
4.When considering naming a City facility after an individual,a period
of at least five (5)years shall have passed following the death of
such person to allow perspective and an appropriate period of
reflection.
5.Only a current Mayor or City Council member may nominate an
individual to have a City facility named in his or her honor,and the
determination will be made by the City Council.
City policy does not preclude additional opportunities for recognition that
may be created in the future.For instance,the Point Vicente Interpretive
Center is planned to include exhibits that may be funded by individual or
corporate donations.Recognition of such donations may include a donor
wall within the Interpretive Center,or recognition of a contributor's
sponsorship of a specific exhibit.
It shall be the policy.of the City Council to allow the placing of monuments and
other memorials on City properties under the following guidelines:
•Monuments
Monuments in honor or in memory of persons may be permitted,in
rare cases,on City property with permission of the City Council under
the following conditions:
1.The person memorialized is closely associated with the area where
the monument will be located.The person memorialized is known
to,and revered,by a significant number of City residents.
2.The monument design is discreet and unobtrusive and designed to
blend into the surrounding area.A small plaque on a large rock (4
cubic feet)would be appropriate.The location of the monument
will be determined by City staff with approval of the City Council.
3.Costs of design,installation and maintenance of the monument will
be determined by the City and borne by the requestor at the
discretion of the City.Only City personnel or City contractors may
perform work on City property.
4.The monument is only a marker and is not a place of worship,a
cemetery or official gathering place.Flowers,and other
memorabilia are not permitted and will be removed by
maintenance personnel.
5.The City is not responsible for damage or deterioration of the
monument and may remove it at any time for any reason with
permission of the City Council.
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City Council Policy No.37 for Naming Public Facilities
Amended:September 15,2009
Page 3 of 4
•Benches or Trees
Benches or trees in honor or in memory of deceased persons may be
placed in City parks,or other City spaces,at the discretion of the City
Manager under the following conditions:
1.The bench design,or tree species,will be determined by the City
and the location of the bench or tree will be selected by the City.
2.A relatively small plaque (5"x 8"),with inscription or other written
memorial information may be placed on the bench or near the tree.
3.Costs of design,installation and maintenance of the bench or tree
will be determined by the City and borne by the requestor at the
discretion of the City.Only City personnel or City contractors may
perform work on City property.
4.The bench,or tree,is only a marker and is not a place of worship,a
cemetery or official gathering place.Flowers,and other
memorabilia are not permitted and will be removed by maintenance
personnel.
5.The City is not responsible for damage or deterioration of the bench
or tree and may remove it at any time for any reason without
replacement.
It shall be the policy of the City Council to establish a "Wall of Honor"under the
following guidelines:
•Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor will memorialize the names of distinguished
community leaders who have made substantial contributions to the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes under the following conditions:
1.Persons nominated for the "Wall of Honor"shall have been
dedicated community leaders who have contributed significantly to
.the quality of life offered by the City and realization of the vision
expressed in the original General Plan.The honoree must have
had a significant presence in the community throughout a good
portion of their life and should have made notable impacts on
sustaining the quality of life of the residents of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
2.Persons nominated for inclusion on the "Wall of Honor"will be
deceased and will not have been previously honored by other
actions of the City such as facilities named in their honor or other
memorial.
3.When a person is nominated for inclusion on the "Wall of Honor"
staff should consult with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Library
District,local historical society or other appropriate sources to
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City Council Policy No.37 for Naming Public Facilities
Amended:September 15,2009
Page 4 of 4
determine the significance of the individual's contributions to the
community and report these findings to the City Council.
4.Only a current Mayor or City Council member may nominate a
citizen to be included on the "Wall of Honor."The determination of
the persons who will be included will be made by the City Council.
5.The location of the "Wall"and the format of names and inscriptions
shall be established by the City Council.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has lacked a uniform policy to assist the City
Council and to guide staff in the naming of City facilities,including parks and
open space areas,buildings,streets and other public amenities.In addition,
there have been no formal policies or guidelines for honoring City leaders,nor for
memorializing persons whose loved ones simply want to provide a remembrance
in the form of a bench or tree.
Although the City ha~had no formal policy for naming public facilities and sites in
honor of persons,there are precedents.Fred Hesse Park and Community
Center is named for a City founder,Robert Ryan Park is named for a former
Mayor and Council member and Vanderlip Park is named for an original
Peninsula landowner.There is a GPS monument at Portuguese Point named in
honor of Dr.Perry Ehlig.There is a trail below Ocean Terrace Drive known as
the McBride Trail in honor of the man who constructed it.There are also three
small memorials,one near Ladera Linda Community Center,one at the Point
Vicente Interpretive Center and the other near Inspiration Point that honor
persons who died prematurely.Finally,there have been numerous requests
from individuals to install park benches or plant trees in memory of deceased
loved ones,many of which have been granted.
The development of a Policy to guide the naming of City facilities,the permitting
of monuments,benches and trees is intended to enable these processes to be
conducted in an equitable,objective and consistent manner.In addition,the
establishment of a "Wall of Honor"will offer a new formal opportunity for honoring
community leaders.
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