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Council narrows parklet naming to place‑based options; staff to return with refined list
Summary
Councilors signaled a preference for place‑based names for two South Washington Street parklets and asked staff to return with a narrowed list; they also asked that the Christina Goodwin memorial plaza be clearly signed and interpreted.
The City Council reviewed public and advisory‑board input on naming two newly completed parklets in the South Washington Street corridor and signaled a preference for place‑based names rather than naming the sites after individuals.
Staff lead Andrea Bazemore summarized outreach: staff solicited suggestions from the public and from the Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission, Historical Commission, Arts & Humanities Council and the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board. The public suggested many names; a recurring request was to recognize Christina Goodwin, a community volunteer and former chair of Aurora House who died in March 2024 and for whom a stone memorial plaza has been installed adjacent to the South Maple parklet.
Boards and commissions largely recommended geographic or history‑based names. The Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and the Planning Commission suggested names tied to the Cavalier Trail and the adjacent park for 430 South Maple Avenue; multiple commissions also recommended referencing local historic geography — for example, the nearby Rolling Road corridor — for the 190 South Washington Street site. The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation recommended recognition of African American heritage and indigenous presence in the area; the Historical Commission suggested the Foote family as a historic local name for the triangle site. Staff estimated new signage costs of roughly $10,000–$15,000 to be paid from the approved CIP Parklets project account.
Council response and next steps: several councilors said they preferred geographic names (for instance, “Cavalier Trail Plaza” or a “Rolling Road” name for the triangle) rather than memorializing an individual on the parklet itself, but several councilors and community speakers emphasized that Christina Goodwin’s contribution should be recognized. Council asked staff to narrow the list to place‑based names consistent with board recommendations and to ensure the memorial plaza that the Goodwin family funded is properly signed and interpreted so the public can see that recognition.
Ending: Staff said it would follow council direction, research the historic usage of “Cavalier” and return with a short list and background materials for the Feb. 24 public hearing and final council action.
