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Soledad updates parks naming policy and asks public for input on Cesar Chavez Park name

City of Soledad City Council (joint meeting with Successor Agency and Housing Authority) ยท April 2, 2026

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Summary

The council unanimously approved Resolution 63-47 to modernize the city's parks-and-facilities naming policy and directed staff to solicit public input before deciding whether to rename Cesar Chavez Park; several residents urged the council to keep the name.

The Soledad City Council on April 1 approved Resolution 63-47 to update the city's 2018 policy on naming and renaming parks and facilities, and then moved into a separate, extended discussion about whether to initiate a renaming process for Cesar Chavez Park.

City Attorney Mike (speaker 7) explained the policy changes would allow the council itself to initiate renaming requests, remove references to a parks committee that no longer exists, and make the Community and Economic Development department the intake point for applications. "We decided that even if the council does not decide that they want to engage in the renaming process... we needed to fix the policy," Mike said.

After a unanimous vote to adopt the policy changes, the council took public comment and discussed guidance for any future renaming. Multiple community members, speaking through the city's translator, pleaded that Chavez's name remain: one resident said the allegations against Chavez were "just accusations" and "nothing has been proven," and another said Chavez was an "outstanding man" who "fought for field workers." (Public comments were delivered in Spanish and summarized by the interpreter.)

Mayor Pro Tem (speaker 5) said his intent was not to erase the farmworker movement but to consider whether the park's name should emphasize the movement rather than an individual, saying he had considered names such as "Campesinos Park." He added that any change should be made only after robust community engagement.

Council members agreed the council should not make a renaming decision without broad public input. The council directed staff to prepare a solicitation and public-engagement plan (staff suggested using the community engagement office) to collect name suggestions and community feedback; staff also noted the park plaque has been placed in storage temporarily as a cooling-off measure amid strong reactions.

No final renaming decision was made; the council passed the updated naming policy and gave direction to staff to solicit community input before any naming action is taken.