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Council renames Oakland park for Eartha M. M. White after amendment adding neighborhood name
Summary
After debate and community objections, the council approved renaming a public park to include both the historical honoree and the neighborhood name, adopting the Eartha M. M. White Historical Oakland Park name.
Jacksonville City Council on Aug. 12 approved an ordinance to rename Oakland Park to honor Eartha M. M. White, adding the neighborhood identifier by floor amendment after several council members and district residents raised concerns about changing the familiar local name.
Council President Kevin Carlucci initially moved the ordinance to rename the park for Eartha M. M. White, a longtime community philanthropist associated with the Clara White Mission. Council member Jimmy Peluso — whose district includes the park — told colleagues he planned to withdraw the bill after finding deep opposition in the neighborhood and asked that the measure be postponed to permit more community discussion.
Colleagues urged a compromise. Council member Hector Romero proposed and the council adopted a floor amendment to include "Oakland" in the formal park name; staff drafted the precise language before the final vote. The amended name was read into the record as the Eartha M. M. White Historical Oakland Park.
Peluso had told council members that several residents and neighborhood leaders objected to losing the historic "Oakland" identifier and asked that the council not proceed without stronger local consensus. Supporters of the renaming emphasized Eartha White's civic contributions; opponents argued the neighborhood's name and identity should not be overridden without clearer community backing.
The amended ordinance passed 15-3. The council president and sponsor said the change aims to honor Eartha White while preserving neighborhood identity; Peluso said he would continue community outreach on the question and explore alternatives such as signage or plaques that acknowledge both the neighborhood and White's legacy.
The ordinance takes effect per the city's standard timeline for renaming public spaces and directs city staff to update park signage and records to reflect the new name. Council members said staff will work with the district office on implementation and community communications.
Community members and neighborhood leaders who spoke at the public-comment period told council they were surprised by the timing and said they wanted more meetings and notice before a final change. The sponsor and the district council member agreed to additional outreach to document neighborhood preference for signage and for any companion steps.
