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River Heights council affirms name “Stewart Hill Park” after public comment and history review
Summary
After public comment urging retention of the historical name and brief council discussion, River Heights council directed staff to record the new park as Stewart Hill Park in the minutes and agreed to consider a history plaque and RAPS acknowledgment sign.
River Heights City Council decided to retain the historical name Stewart Hill Park for the new park property after public comment and council discussion.
Planning commission chair Noel Cooley spoke during public comment opposing any name change and recommending a public process if the council planned to consider alternatives. Cooley said the area has been known as Stewart Hill for more than four decades and suggested a citizens’ committee and a public vote if renaming were seriously pursued. ‘‘I would suggest that a committee be a form to explore and come up with some names. The council could then decide on a few and then put it out to the River Heights City citizens to vote on during Apple days,’’ Cooley said.
Council members cited the long-standing local usage of the Stewart name and generally supported keeping the historical designation. Mayor Blake Wright and several council members said the park should be recorded in the minutes as Stewart Hill Park. The council also discussed adding a small plaque at the site to explain the Stewart family history and including a RAPS acknowledgment plaque noting RAPS funding for park amenities; staff said RAPS covered roughly half of pavilion costs and that the city provided the remainder.
Councilor Lance Pitcher and others voiced no objection to the name. The mayor instructed recorder Sheila Lynn to record Stewart Hill Park in the minutes.
