West Sacramento commission approves memorial bench and tree at Southport Gateway Park for Cecilia Wilson

The West Sacramento Parks, Recreation and Intergenerational Services Commission on April 1 approved a proposal to install a memorial bench and dedicate a tree at Southport Gateway Park in memory of Cecilia Wilson.

Erin Ayala, Parks and Recreation business manager, presented the commission with the memorial application and described the department process for handling bench and tree dedications. Two former colleagues of Wilson—Tracy Kelch and Bethany Gale—spoke in favor of the memorial and described Wilson’s volunteer work and community ties, including regular volunteering at Our Lady of Grace school and church, participation in workplace resource groups, blood donations, and local fitness and volunteer activities. Kelch told commissioners that Ginkgo Bioworks plans to donate the bench.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the memorial. After supporters described Wilson’s impact on family, school and workplace communities, commissioners voted in favor of the dedication.

If the commission’s approval proceeds, staff said they will work with the donor and the family to identify an exact location within Southport Gateway Park, select an appropriate bench and plaque from the city’s price list, and pick a tree species consistent with the park’s planting palette. Ayala said staff’s typical next steps are final location selection, coordinating plaque options and arranging installation.

Speakers at the commission meeting emphasized that the bench will provide a public place for Wilson’s daughters and the community to remember her. Commissioners thanked Wilson’s family for attending and voiced support for the dedication.

The commission’s action on the memorial will be administered by park staff; no additional policy changes were proposed at the meeting.