Speakers urge Roseville park be named for Pride Industries leader; city outlines naming rules

Speakers at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in August asked the commission to consider naming a future Roseville park for Michael Ziegler, the longtime leader of Pride Industries, and staff reviewed the city's park-naming policy and timeline.

The request came during public comment from Tony Lopez of Pride Industries, who said, "I am here today to advocate for a park naming submission for mister Michael Ziegler." Judd Riggs, vice chair of the Pride Industries board, also urged the city to consider Ziegler, praising his role in expanding Pride nationally and locally.

Tara Gee, the city's park planning and development manager, told commissioners that the city accepts name suggestions annually during July for parks expected to begin construction in the same fiscal year. Gee said the park naming subcommittee reviews suggestions plus an "active list" of names carried over from the prior year and that a suggestion may not be submitted more than three consecutive years. She said the subcommittee may select a name not on the list in special circumstances, such as recent passing or historical significance. "The act of naming is significant and meaningful," Gee said.

Gee outlined criteria the subcommittee considers: geographic or feature recognition; historical or cultural significance; and significant individual contributions, including giving land or funding (typically about 50% or more of development costs), substantial volunteer service to the Roseville community, or dying in the line of city service. She also noted the council may add a namesake to an existing park name in limited cases, and that business names are handled under a separate sponsorship policy tied to paid naming rights.

Gee said the city closed the 2025 suggestion period a few days before the meeting and expects the naming subcommittee to return recommendations to the commission in October or November; the commission's recommendation would then go to City Council for possible action in December or January depending on council scheduling. Gee emphasized the item was informational and that no action was being taken at the August meeting.

The commissioners did not take action at the meeting; staff will forward the subcommittee's recommendations later this year for the commission's review before any council decision.