Gig Harbor council reopens park-naming decision, asks Parks Commission for more research

Presiding Official called for reconsideration of the council’s park-naming recommendation for a new park at the city sports complex, saying councilors should follow the city’s naming criteria before finalizing the name.

The issue matters because Resolution 7.17, the city’s criteria for naming parks and facilities, directs the council to weigh neighborhood or geographic identification, natural or geological features, historical or cultural significance (including persons), and resident preference. Council members said the Parks Commission’s recommendation relied heavily on what “the kids liked” and nomination forms that lacked historical context for some suggested honorees.

Council member Rosenberg said she was “a little uncomfortable with the name that we all thought might work” and urged the council to consider notable local figures. “This is an opportunity to name something in town after a significant female athlete,” Rosenberg said, referring to nominee Doris Heritage and others. Rosenberg and other council members noted that the commission’s nomination packet had uneven documentation for some nominees and that additional research could change the commission’s recommendation.

Other council members disagreed about whether to override the commission’s vote. Several said they would not “usurp the Parks Commission” but supported sending the recommendation back for more context. One councilor said the commission’s recorded vote had been four in favor of the playful name and that the commission’s role is to make recommendations. Another council member said, “Let’s not send them in any direction…if they want more context about the people, let’s give them that.”

Council members discussed the number of names to return to the commission for public review; several favored a short, manageable list. One councilor said three names would be sufficient and another suggested five as a hard maximum, but the council did not adopt a formal cap during the discussion.

The council did not take a formal roll-call vote on the item during the study session. Staff and council members agreed to ask the Parks Commission to gather additional background information on nominated individuals, provide fuller documentation for nominations (for example, news articles or biographical context), and return with a refined list for council consideration. The council’s remarks emphasized following Resolution 7.17’s criteria and avoiding directing the Parks Commission toward a specific outcome.

The council discussion included repeated references to nominees Doris Heritage, Hugh McMillan, Terry Lee and Gilbert Nolan and to the proposed lighthearted name that some members characterized as popular with children. Councilors asked staff to coordinate with the Parks Commission on next steps; the commission’s next actions and any formal vote by the council will be reported when they occur.

Minor procedural and scheduling matters followed the discussion.