Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council accepts parks board recommendation to name Main Street/112th site —Eson Park'
Summary
The council accepted the Parks & Community Services Board's unanimous recommendation to name the new park at Main Street and 112th Avenue Southeast "Eson Park," a name staff and the board said reflects Japanese American legacy and the planned commemorative project; council directed staff to prepare a resolution formalizing the name.
The Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board unanimously recommended the name "Eson Park" for the new park at Main Street and 112th Avenue Southeast, and the city council voted to direct staff to prepare a resolution to formalize the name.
Betsy Anderson, senior planner, and Cameron Parker, assistant director for Parks and Community Services, described the naming process and community engagement. Anderson said staff received 258 distinct name suggestions from 157 respondents, narrowed the suggestions to nine options, and presented background research to the parks board.
Rowena Klima, chair of the Parks and Community Services Board, told the council the board's recommendation was unanimous and emphasized the name's cultural meaning: "Eson, which means legacy and heritage, were suggested in both English and Japanese by community members who responded to the naming survey." The board and staff said the name is intentionally tied to a planned Japanese American legacy commemoration and that Eson is distinctive and not used for other parks.
Council members who spoke in favor highlighted community participation and the importance of honoring local Japanese American history. With the motion to direct staff to a resolution moved and seconded, the council voted in favor and the motion passed.
Next steps: staff will draft a resolution and return with the formal naming item for final action.
