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Council declines citizen petition to rename park for Jesse Owens, directs staff to craft alternative recognition
Summary
The council voted to deny a petition to rename Cesar Chavez Park after Olympian Jesse Owens but directed staff to develop ways to honor Owens and return with recommendations; the vote reflected competing priorities over naming criteria and community outreach.
The Phoenix City Council voted to deny a citizen petition that sought to rename Cesar Chavez Park for Olympian Jesse Owens and instead directed staff to return with a process and recommendations to honor Owens and other historic figures.
Petitioner Jerry Van Gass urged the council to recognize Jesse Owens’ Olympic legacy and Phoenix ties, noting the symbolic importance of naming public spaces. Supporters in the gallery and some councilmembers argued Owens’ story is worthy of commemoration.
Vice Mayor moved to accept staff’s recommendation to deny the petition and tasked Parks Department staff to conduct a broader process to identify meaningful ways to honor Owens — potentially via other park naming or memorial options — and to return to the relevant City Council subcommittee by the end of 2026. Several councilmembers stressed the need for intentional public outreach and a process that reflects community voices and historical context.
The motion passed on roll call (recorded as 8–1). Councilmembers who supported the staff path said the approach balances honoring Owens while preserving intentional community engagement for park naming decisions; councilmembers who opposed the staff recommendation emphasized the petition’s merits and historical significance.
