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Parks board votes to begin formal renaming process for Caesar Chavez Park and community center
Summary
Following city council direction after recent allegations, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board voted to direct staff to start the formal process to rename Caesar Chavez Park and the Caesar Chavez Community Center and remove city-installed signage; staff will return with outreach plans in April.
The Parks and Recreation Board voted to direct staff to start the formal process to rename Caesar Chavez Park and the Caesar Chavez Community Center after the mayor and council asked city staff to take steps in response to recent reports alleging misconduct by Cesar Chavez.
Staff said the council's direction included renaming the March 31 holiday as Farm Workers Day, initiating the renaming process for city facilities bearing Chavez's name and removing city-installed signage that honors him. The parks department noted it oversees both Caesar Chavez Park and the Caesar Chavez Community Center and that the board has approval authority over facility names.
Public commenters offered alternatives and historical context. Jerry Vanghas urged naming the park for Jesse Owens, noting Owens's ties to Phoenix: "I think it's only right that we name the existing Caesar Chavez Park after Jesse Owens," he said, citing Owens's local contributions. Dan Penton said the park was previously named Albert Park and urged restoring that name because the land donor was not recognized.
Board members asked staff to research the record on the 1993 renaming, to brief the board on any potential policy conflicts (the parks' naming standards reference donor recognition and extraordinary renaming circumstances), and to outline a public outreach plan. One board member asked that the art and monument in the park be coordinated with the Arts and Culture Department; staff said arts had already taken steps to cover a statue.
After discussion a board member moved and a second was recorded; the board voted in favor of initiating the formal renaming process and staff said they would return with a communication and outreach plan in April.
Staff noted the naming policy requires public notification and consultation, including an effort to contact next of kin when a person's name is involved. The board did not choose a replacement name; members suggested community-led outreach and said they wanted options including place-based names rather than an individual.
The board's action was procedural: it authorizes staff to begin the renaming process, not to adopt a new name. Staff will present proposed outreach timelines and draft options at the next scheduled meeting in April.
