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Council delays decision on renaming Oyster House Park to give historical stakeholders a say
Summary
Chesapeake Conservancy requested the park be named for donor Randall Larimore; council voted unanimously to delay the decision and ask the Seaford Historical Society and Robinson heirs for input.
The Seaford City Council on May 13 delayed a decision on a Chesapeake Conservancy request to rename Oyster House Park in honor of Randall Larimore, voting to solicit input from the Robinson heirs and the Seaford Historical Society before taking action.
E.J. Amiat, interim president and CEO of Chesapeake Conservancy, told the council the proposed name would recognize Larimore's leadership and philanthropic support: "Naming it Larimore Oyster House Park would be a fitting tribute to a native son whose vision, generosity, and leadership have created a lasting legacy for generations to come," Amiat said.
Vice Mayor Dan Henderson and others pressed for consultation with local historical stakeholders because the park sits on the site of the former J.B. Robinson Oyster House and includes historical interpretation of that site. Henderson asked, "What level of inquiry was made with the Seaford Historical Society? ... I'd like to know if there was any feedback from missus Bramhall, the historical society." He added that honoring Larimore was appropriate but said he did not want the Robinson name to be "pushed to the side."
After discussion, Vice Mayor Henderson moved to delay the naming decision so the council could get input from the Robinson heirs and the Seaford Historical Society and to allow staff and the Conservancy time to formulate an approach to recognize Randall Larimore without supplanting the historical interpretation; Councilman Mike Bradley seconded. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Council members and the Conservancy agreed to return to the issue after the city obtains the requested historical input and works with the Conservancy on possible wording that preserves the site's historical interpretation while acknowledging Larimore's role.
The request came as part of a broader update on the Oyster House Park project, which the Conservancy described as a partnership among governmental and nonprofit organizations to improve public access to the Nanticoke River and to interpret the city's oyster heritage.
