8.2 SR 12-21-2020
Request for Action
To Item Number
City Council 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business December 21, 2020 Tonya Love, Recreation Administrative Coordinator
Item Description Reviewed by
Woodland Trails Regional Park Amenities Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Naming Contest
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the official naming of the nature play area to Glacial Ridge Nature Play Area and the archery
range to Woodlands Archery Range at Woodland Trails Regional Park.
Background/Discussion
The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed and agreed on the submitted names at the November 4, 2020,
Commission meeting.
The winning submissions will be invited to a ribbon cutting grand opening of the amenities in the Spring of 2021
and be announced on the city’s website and social media channels.
The contest was advertised on the city website, social media channels, posters in the community, and an ad in the
Star News running from September 30, 2020, to October 26, 2020. Contest entries were submitted electronically on
the city website.
Staff reviewed the submissions and found the name submissions met the criteria for naming as outlined in the
Parks and Facilities Naming Policy.
Financial Impact
Cost of signage
Mission/Policy/Goal
N/A
Attachments
Naming Contest Entries
WTRP Amenities Naming Contest Rules
Parks and Facilities Naming Policy
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
Woodland Trails Regional Park Amenities Naming Contest Submissions by Date:
Date Nature Play 1 Nature Play 2 Archery 1 Archery 2
9-30 Elk Adventure Park Woodland Wonder Woodland Archer’s Field Bullseye Ridge
Park
9-30 Wildfeather Play Wildfeather Archery Range
Area
10-2 Powered by
Creativity Park
10-4 Glacial Ridge Wich-n-wan (means two rivers-
original Elk River name)
10-7 Pike Prairie Park Wich-n-Wan Archery Range
10-15 Eskers Archery
10-15 Sherwood Forest Robin Hood Range
Playscape
10-15 Elks Archery Range Woodlands Archery
Range
10-15 Maple Country Park Warrior Court
10-16 Archwood Park Archer Park
10-17 Flora’s Garden “Diana’s Way” after the Roman
goddess of the hunt
10-17 Natey McNate-Face Archy McArch-Face
10-19 Pike Nature Play Nock Point Archery (nock – the
Area act of setting an arrow in a
bow)
Woodland Trails Regional Park Amenities Naming Contest
It's not often you get an opportunity to contribute to something that will last for years to come - now here’s
your chance to leave your mark on this community! The City of Elk River Parks and Recreation Department
is accepting name submissions for our new archery range and nature play area at Woodland Trails Regional
Park (20135 Elk Lake Rd.). Both the nature play area and the archery range are new amenities to Woodland
Trails and we’re asking residents to share their catchy, clever and cool name ideas for each before Monday,
October 26. Please review the contest rules and eligibility guidelines below before submitting your ideas
online at: ElkRiverMN.gov/NamingContest.
Contest Rules
Submit up to two name ideas for each area amenity (archery range, nature play area).
Submit your entry online at ElkRiverMN.gov/NamingContest by midnight on Monday, October
26, 2020.
Suggestions for names must not infringe on any trademarks or licensed products. Names
associated with natural features of the landscape (rivers, wetlands, etc.), natural resource related
attributes (wildlife, vegetation, geological feature), and historic significance or amenities are
preferred for park properties.
Submissions should be one to three-word names that are concise and distinctive from a regional
standpoint.
All current Elk River residents are eligible to participate in the naming contest.
City employees and their immediate family members are ineligible. Commission members and
their immediate family members are also ineligible.
If more than one person submits the name chosen by the judges, all those with the selected
submission will win.
The individual(s) who come up with the winning names will be notified via email and/or phone,
and will be featured on the City of Elk River website, be acknowledged at an Elk River City
Council meeting, and be recognized on the city's social media channels.
The winner will be invited to participate in the grand opening/ribbon cutting of the park in the
spring of 2021.
Selection Process
The Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission will review and select their favorite name submissions for
the archery range and nature play area which will then be forwarded to the Mayor and Council for approval.
The City's adopted park naming guidelines include the following:
Priorities to be considered in naming all city facilities, including parks and recreation facilities (in order of
importance) shall be as follows:
1. Historic Names. Names of historic events, groups, organizations, or persons at the local, regional,
or national level of major significance with special consideration given to Elk River’s own history.
2. Places and Feature Names.
a. Recognizable area or neighborhood. Names that aid in locating a facility are acceptable. If
the facility is located on a park or school site, the facility need not share the name of the
park or school site.
b. Assumed Names. Assumed names should be used only if the area has been known by that
assumed name for an extended period of time. An example is the parcel of land known for
decades as “Bailey Point,” located near downtown at the south end of Morton Avenue at
the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers.
c. Natural Features. Natural features, such as rivers, creeks and terrain.
d. Horticultural Features. Horticultural features characteristic of a particular area.
3. Individual, Groups or Organizations.
4. The following criteria will be used in evaluating the use of names of persons (whether living or
deceased), groups and organizations.
a. General Criteria. Names of persons, groups or organizations having a longstanding
affiliation with the City of ten (10) or more years of significant community service,
involvement or contributions beyond the ordinary interest level whose efforts have:
i. Enhanced the quality of life and well-being of city residents;
ii. Contributed to the preservation of the city’s history or culture;
iii. Made exemplary or meritorious contributions to the city or its residents; or
iv. Contributed to the acquisition, development, or conveyance of land, buildings,
structures or other amenities to the city or community.
b. Deceased Persons. To be considered for a naming opportunity, the individual must have
been deceased for at least two (2) years. Such individuals may include:
i. Historic persons.
ii. National and/or local heroes. Those who have given outstanding service to
mankind or who have worked over and above any ordinary interest level. An Elk
River area resident, who has attained local, state or national recognition for parks
and recreation work or work in the areas of public safety or public health, as
appropriate to the facility, would be highly acceptable.
c. Living Persons. Facilities may be named after living persons only after a study has been
completed relative to the individual’s background and qualifications pursuant to the criteria
in this policy.
d. Groups and Organizations. Facilities may be named after groups or organizations pursuant
to the criteria set forth in this policy or groups and organizations that wish to pursue a
sponsorship agreement with the City of Elk River at a city owned asset under control of
the Parks and Recreation department.
5. EXCEPTION: The exception to this policy in its entirety is a sponsorship agreement entered into
between the city and a group or organization for a section within a city owned property asset
under control of the Parks and Recreation department, such as a concession stand, ice sheet,
ballfield, Rivers Edge Commons upper plaza, multi-purpose room, etc.
PARKS & FACILITIES NAMING POLICY
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a systematic and consistent approach for the official
naming of parks and recreation areas and facilities.
Objectives:
Ensure that parks, recreational areas, and facilities are easily identified & located.
Ensure that given names to parks, recreational area and facilities are consistent with the
values and character of the area or neighborhood served.
Encourage public participation in the naming, renaming and dedication of parks, recreation
areas and facilities.
Encourage the dedication of lands, facilities, donations, or sponsorship agreements by
individuals and/or groups.
Definition:
Parks, recreation areas and facilities – includes all property assets under the City’s ownership and the
Parks and Recreation Department control including buildings, structures, open spaces, public parks,
natural areas, wetlands, environmental habitat, and land.
Naming Criteria
Priorities to be considered in naming all city facilities, including parks and recreation facilities (in
order of importance) shall be as follows:
A. Historic Names. Names of historic events, groups, organizations, or persons at the local,
regional, or national level of major significance with special consideration given to Elk
River’s own history.
B. Places and Feature Names.
1. Recognizable area or neighborhood. Names that aid in locating a facility are
acceptable. If the facility is located on a park or school site, the facility need not share
the name of the park or school site.
2. Assumed Names. Assumed names should be used only if the area has been known by
that assumed name for an extended period of time. An example is the parcel of land
known for decades as “Bailey Point,” located near downtown at the south end of
Morton Avenue at the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers.
3. Natural Features. Natural features, such as rivers, creeks, and terrain.
PARKS & FACILITIES NAMING POLICY
4. Horticultural Features. Horticultural features characteristic of a particular area.
C. Individual, Groups or Organizations.
The following criteria will be used in evaluating the use of names of persons (whether living
or deceased), groups and organizations.
1. General Criteria. Names of persons, groups or organizations having a longstanding
affiliation with the City of ten (10) or more years of significant community service,
involvement, or contributions beyond the ordinary interest level whose efforts have:
a. Enhanced the quality of life and well-being of city residents.
b. Contributed to the preservation of the city’s history or culture.
c. Made exemplary or meritorious contributions to the city or its residents; or
d. Contributed to the acquisition, development, or conveyance of land, buildings,
structures or other amenities to the city or community.
2. Deceased Persons. To be considered for a naming opportunity, the individual must
have been deceased for at least two (2) years. Such individuals may include:
a. Historic persons.
b. National and/or local heroes. Those who have given outstanding service to
mankind or who have worked over and above any ordinary interest level. An
Elk River area resident, who has attained local, state, or national recognition for
parks and recreation work or work in the areas of public safety or public health,
as appropriate to the facility, would be highly acceptable.
3. Living Persons. Facilities may be named after living persons only after a study has
been completed relative to the individual’s background and qualifications pursuant to the
criteria in this policy.
4. Groups and Organizations. Facilities may be named after groups or organizations
pursuant to the criteria set forth in this policy or groups and organizations that wish to
pursue a sponsorship agreement with the City of Elk River at a city owned asset under
control of the Parks and Recreation department.
EXCEPTION: The exception to this policy in its entirety is a sponsorship agreement
entered into between the city and a group or organization for a section within a city owned
property asset under control of the Parks and Recreation department, such as a concession
stand, ice sheet, ballfield, Rivers Edge Commons upper plaza, multi-purpose room, etc.
PARKS & FACILITIES NAMING POLICY
Procedure
A. Naming of Parks, Recreation Areas and Facilities
1. A request for naming of a park, recreation area or facility shall be submitted in writing to
the Parks and Recreation Commission, through the Parks and Recreation Department.
2. Those submitting a naming request should show how the proposed name is consistent
with the criteria stated in this policy. When naming after a person or persons, the
application will describe the contributions to the city. Written documentation of
approval by next of kin to be honored (if available/possible) is required as part of the
proposal. City staff will review the proposal for adherence to the stated criteria and
authentication of statements relative to contributions in the case of an individual before
forwarding to the Parks and Recreation Commission. If the request is incomplete, staff
will contact the applicant, in writing, and provide them with the opportunity to resubmit
a revised request.
3. The Parks and Recreation Commission will offer the opportunity for public input on the
proposed naming. A notice requesting a public meeting for naming of a park, recreation
area or facility shall be posted and published in the city’s official newspaper at least 10
days prior to the meeting.
4. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall forward their recommendation to City
Council for final decision.
5. The Parks and Recreation Commission can initiate the naming process whenever
deemed necessary and/or in the best interest of the city.
6. In the absence of any naming requests, the Parks Recreation and Commission shall
adhere to criteria stated in this policy in recommendation of name.
B. Renaming of Parks, Recreation Areas and Facilities
Renaming of parks, recreation areas and facilities carries with it a much greater burden of
process compared to initial naming. Tradition and continuity of name and community
identification are important community values. Each application must meet the criteria in
this policy but meeting all criteria does not ensure renaming.
1. A request for renaming of a park, recreational area or facility shall be submitted in
writing to the Parks and Recreation Commission, through the Parks and Recreation
Department.
2. The request shall include the proposed name change, the purpose of the change, and
how the proposed name change is consistent with the criteria established. When
renaming after a person or persons, the application will describe the contributions to the
city. Written documentation approval by next of kin to be honored (if
PARKS & FACILITIES NAMING POLICY
available/possible) is required as part of the proposal. City staff will review the proposal
for adherence to the stated criteria and authentication of statements relative to
contributions in the case of an individual before forwarding to the Parks and Recreation
Commission. If the request is incomplete, staff will contact the applicant, in writing, and
provide them with the opportunity to resubmit a revised request.
3. The recognized Neighborhood Association will be notified of the proposal when the
Parks and Recreation Department receive a complete application.
4. The Parks and Recreation Commission will offer the opportunity for public input on the
proposed naming. A notice requesting a public meeting for naming of a park, recreation
area or facility shall be posted and published in the city’s official newspaper at least 10
days prior to the meeting.
5. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall forward their recommendation to City
Council for final decision.
Parks & Facilities Naming Policy History
Adopted by: On (date) Item #
City Council November 19, 2012 8.2