Mother requests Barcelona Park be renamed for fallen Marine; commission forms ad hoc committee

A member of the public asked the Community Services Commission to recommend renaming Barcelona Park to honor her son, and commissioners agreed to form a three‑member ad hoc committee to review the request and applicable city naming policies.

Lisa Von Kerr identified herself as a gold star mother of three sergeants and said she presented the renaming request to the city council on Sept. 24. "Changing 3 letters on a park sign is a small gesture to thank him for his service and sacrifice," she said, adding that nearly 500 residents signed her petition on change.org. She said Barcelona Park was named for a housing tract and that naming the park for her son would provide meaningful recognition the city currently lacks for military service members.

Staff told the commission that Mayor Trish Kelly directed the commission to evaluate the request and return a recommendation to council; staff proposed an ad hoc committee of up to three commissioners to review naming policies and ordinances and report back. Commissioners volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee and staff confirmed no further immediate council action was required beyond forming the committee.