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Commissioners agree to revisit naming process for downtown children's park after public critique
Summary
After members of the public and several commissioners said the previous naming process left out portions of the community, the Dade City Commission agreed to bring the park-name issue back for more inclusive public input and to consider letting children participate in selecting the name.
Members of the public and several commissioners asked the Dade City Commission to reopen and reevaluate its recent decision on naming a downtown children's park, and the commission agreed to return the matter to a future agenda for more inclusive community input.
During public comment, resident Dr. Thomas said the previous process made people feel dismissed and criticized how a small group of attendees had prompted the commission to change its earlier decision. Thomas described the concern as a process issue rather than a dispute about any particular name.
Several commissioners, including Cosentino, Church and Mayor Pro Tem Woodard, said they regretted aspects of how the name-selection process unfolded and supported returning the topic to the commission so that broader outreach and clearer procedures can be used. Commissioner Cosentino and Mayor Pro Tem Woodard voiced support for reopening the process and involving children or schools in the selection, citing the park's function as a children's space.
Commissioners discussed practical next steps: re-running or widening the public survey, ensuring outreach beyond a single side of the city, and placing petitions or ballots in schools if the commission chooses to have children participate. Several commissioners emphasized the need to preserve a clear, documented process so the next selection cannot be characterized as skewed.
No formal vote to change the name was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff and the city attorney to prepare the item for a future meeting where the commission can consider revised outreach and selection methods.
