Gig Harbor parks commission unanimously recommends naming Ansett Park boat storage building for Alan Anderson

The Gig Harbor Parks Commission on Jan. 7 unanimously recommended that City Council consider naming the boat storage building at Ansett Park for Alan Anderson.

The recommendation followed public comment from Lizzy Hill, who said she had submitted a formal request to council and asked the parks commissioners to lend their support. Hill described Anderson as the founder of the local canoe and kayak program in 2002 and credited him with decades of volunteer leadership, youth development and raising athletes who have competed nationally and internationally. “I have submitted a request asking city council to consider naming the Ansett Park boat storage building in honor of Alan Anderson,” Lizzy Hill said during public comment.

Parks Manager Jennifer Harrow told the commission the mayor initiated the naming request and that the city follows an adopted naming policy handled via resolution; she said the item will appear at a council study session on Jan. 15 and could be placed on the regular council agenda Jan. 26, with materials due in advance. Harrow said staff will include the commission’s language in the council staff report.

Commissioners discussed whether to solicit additional public nominations as part of the process and debated wording for the commission’s recommendation. One commissioner urged an explanatory plaque or display to explain Anderson’s contributions; others said the city’s public-comment opportunities at the council study session and regular meeting would allow broader input. Commissioners also discussed potential signage costs; members of the paddling community told the commission they were prepared to help raise funds for a sign.

A commissioner moved that the commission "strongly recommend" council take up the naming request and that the boat storage building be named for Alan Anderson; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The parks manager will forward the commission’s recommendation and proposed language to council in her staff report.

Next steps: the item is scheduled for the Jan. 15 council study session and may be formally considered (and voted on) at the Jan. 26 regular council meeting; staff said materials for the study session were due the day after the Jan. 7 meeting. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final naming authority rests with City Council under the city’s naming policy.