Kenai Parks staff to rewrite Leif Hansen memorial policy; planting list to be managed by parks director

Kenai Parks and Recreation staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 3 that they will revise the Leif Hansen Memorial Park policy to modernize language, reorganize sections and remove a council-managed planting list so the Parks director can keep planting guidance current.

The proposed rewrite—intended to be brought back as a draft at the commission's May meeting and then forwarded to the Kenai City Council for final approval—would reorganize the 2001 policy into clearer sections on administration, permanent memorials, memorial plantings, maintenance and prohibited uses. Staff said the existing policy is hard to navigate and has not been updated since 02/2001.

Deputy Clerk (unnamed) noted the original policy is dated and that staff has drafted a recommended new structure modeled on the commission’s 2022 cemetery policy. “The original policy without the notes is on page 7 of your packet and it's just not organized in a way that's very easy to find information,” the deputy clerk said. The draft in the packet includes separation into purpose, records, reservations, a disclaimer about damage, and distinct sections on permanent memorials, memorial plantings and prohibited uses.

A central change discussed was removing language that ties the park’s planting list to a council-approved document. Tyler, Parks and Recreation director, told the commission that the department maintains current horticultural expertise and recommended that the planting list be managed administratively so it can be updated more quickly as invasive-species guidance and availability change. “One of my roles is to stay up to date on this information,” Tyler said, noting Parks staff monitor an invasive-species cooperative and update planting guidance as new recommendations are issued.

Commissioners and staff discussed specific plants named in the existing list, including mayday and choke cherry, which staff said are undesirable for urban plantings because they can be toxic to moose and spread as invasive species. Staff said there are roughly “just over 40” new plaque spots added after an earlier discussion and that not every plaque location can accommodate a tree or shrub; maps in the packet identify which plots can accommodate plantings and the Parks director will evaluate space availability on a case-by-case basis.

The draft also proposes clearer language on reservations (the current packet language reflects 2001-era in-person reservations; staff said reservations are now handled online), more explicit prohibited-uses language, and guidance on plaque content and approval. Currently applications and plaque designs are submitted to the Clerk’s Office for review; staff said the Clerk’s Office would continue to screen submissions and would consult with Parks on any content “of an objectionable nature.” Deputy Clerk said, “Any inappropriately worded plaques of an objectionable nature are prohibited…as determined by the Clerk’s Office in consult with the Parks and Recreation department.”

Commissioners asked for clearer process language on plaque appropriateness—whether plaques would be screened before ordering and who would sign off—and staff said they will add brief procedural text indicating the Clerk’s Office will review applications and consult with Parks before final approval. The commission suggested keeping the policy’s core statements general while retaining procedural flexibility so staff can change day-to-day procedures without a formal policy update.

Staff said the revised policy will be presented in draft form at the commission’s May meeting; if revisions are minor the commission may approve it then for forwarding to the City Council. If the commission requests substantial changes, staff will continue work and return it at a later meeting. No formal vote on the substance of the policy was taken at the April 3 work session.

Closing notes from staff reminded commissioners that an inventory of the park (included in the packet) and the policy materials will be published online along with the application materials once the draft is finalized. Staff invited commissioners to email suggestions ahead of the May draft.