Parks committee recommends naming long trail through Sharon Nesbitt Heritage Park; requests Mary Tibbetts be included on interpretive signs

The Parks Advisory Committee voted on Sept. 17 to recommend to City Council that the continuous trail through Sharon Nesbitt Heritage Park receive a single name. A motion to recommend naming the entire trail the Cha Cha Trail (motion by Shelley Reynolds, second by Jim Hill) passed on a roll-call vote.

Committee discussion: Members debated naming strategy and community recognition. Several members and public commenters urged the committee to preserve the Mary Tibbetts story in the park. Parks staff and the community development director said they are designing six interpretive signs for the park that will address flora and fauna, local history and construction of I‑84; staff said they will include a draft that references Mary Tibbetts and other historical figures for committee review early next year.

Wayfinding and sign timing: Staff noted that Metro and partner organizations plan wayfinding signage for the park and trail but that production is on hold pending the committee’s naming recommendation; staff said Metro had planned sign production but would not install signs until naming is finalized.

Related council recommendation: Committee members also passed a motion asking the City Council to review two local street names (raised during discussion) that may be considered offensive; that motion passed by voice vote and will be transmitted to council for consideration.

What’s next: The committee’s naming recommendation will go to City Council. Staff will proceed with interpretive sign design and promised to include Mary Tibbetts material in the planned interpretive signage; staff said the park will open before the signs are installed and that sign construction/installation will follow a future grant application.