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Council approves ‘Greenbelt Accessible Trail’ name, dedicates plaques to Access Hermosa advocates
Summary
After review by a subcommittee and the Parks Commission, the council approved renaming a section of the Greenbelt pedestrian path and approved a plaque bench and a memorial plaque at South Park’s accessible playground to honor Access Hermosa volunteers; council approved the package 4–1.
The City Council on April 8 approved a subcommittee recommendation to rename the pedestrian trail section of the two‑block Greenbelt from Pier Avenue to Eighth Street “Greenbelt Accessible Trail,” and authorized plaques honoring Access Hermosa volunteers and advocates.
What the council approved: The subcommittee’s final recommendation—forwarded by the Parks Commission—keeps the overall “Greenbelt” name but gives the pedestrian trail portion the contextual designation “Greenbelt Accessible Trail” to emphasize the path’s universal access features. The council also approved installing a bench plaque dedicated to the Access Hermosa Working Group and in memoriam to two accessibility advocates, Jeff Hirsch and Casey Rohrer. Separately, council approved a plaque recognizing the naming of the South Park accessible playground in honor of Casey Rohrer; the playground plaque will be installed after an in-progress capital-improvement project (CIP 603) completes the concrete pad under the bench to permit ADA seating.
Why it matters: Access Hermosa volunteers led sustained advocacy to improve beach and pathway accessibility; council members and public commenters emphasized the pedestrian and community benefits of the newly accessible Greenbelt. The plaques and naming are intended as recognition of volunteer advocacy and to mark infrastructure improvements that improve mobility for residents with disabilities.
Cost and timing: Staff reported that installing a memorial plaque on the Greenbelt bench is estimated to cost approximately $5,250. The South Park plaque will be installed after the South Park slope irrigation/landscape CIP is completed (staff estimated a July 2025 completion for construction and an August 2025 naming celebration). The council authorized the naming and plaque installations; council member Keegan cast the lone dissenting vote on the resolution (4–1).
Public input and context: Multiple residents and volunteers spoke in favor of recognizing Access Hermosa and the two individuals. Several speakers, including Parks Commissioner Barbara Ellman and Beth Rohrer of Access Hermosa, described years of volunteer work and advocacy to bring access improvements to the Greenbelt and South Park. One commenter asked the council to avoid controversy and recommended a plaque rather than renaming the entire Greenbelt; council members said the adopted approach was a compromise reflecting that input.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate plaque fabrication and install the Greenbelt plaque; the South Park plaque will be installed after the CIP pad is completed. The council directed staff to schedule dedication events in late spring/early summer after landscaping and construction are completed.
Provenance: Staff presentation introducing the subcommittee recommendations began at s=19509.541 and council’s vote to adopt the naming recommendations was read at s=20719.375.
