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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.3 Facility Naming Policy Agenda Item 5.3 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL Page 1 of 2 DATE: July 21, 2026 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager SUBJECT: Facility Naming Policy Prepared by: Bridget Amaya, Assistant Parks and Community Services Director EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On May 5, 2026 the City Council reviewed a proposed Facility Naming Policy. Following a discussion, the City Council directed Staff to make modifications and present the Policy to the Parks and Community Services Commission for review and recommendation. The City Council will now consider adopting the revised Facility Naming Policy. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution Approving the Facility Naming Policy. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: Background On May 5, 2026, the City Council reviewed a proposed Facility Naming Policy intended to provide a consistent, transparent, and community-focused framework for the naming and re- naming of public buildings and parks in Dublin. Following a discussion, the City Council directed Staff to make three modifications to the Policy and present it to the Parks and Community Services Commission for review and recommendation before returning the item to the City Council for final consideration. The modifications requested by the City Council were: 1. Change the procedures for developing an initial list of facility names to ensure that public input is solicited prior to creating a final list from which a name is selected (this is now included in Section V.5.2 of the Policy); 2. Change the definition of “facility” to include municipal buildings (Section IV); and 133 Page 2 of 2 3. Add a provision for City commissions to weigh in on the naming of facilities that relate to their respective areas of responsibility (Section II.2). Parks and Community Services Commission Review and Recommendation The Commission reviewed the proposed Facility Naming Policy during its regular meeting on June 15, 2026. Following a discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed policy, including the City Council’s modifications, with one additional change related to commemorative naming. Specifically, the Commission recommended that an individual must be deceased for a minimum of one year before being eligible for consideration under the commemorative naming provisions of the policy. The Commission expressed that a one-year waiting period would allow sufficient time for reflection on an individual’s overall contributions while helping ensure that naming decisions are made through a thoughtful and objective process rather than during a period when emotions associated with a recent loss may be particularly acute. Commissioners noted that the additional time would provide an opportunity to fully evaluate the individual’s accomplishments, historical impact, and long-term contributions to the community before considering a permanent commemorative naming action. The proposed Facility Naming Policy is included with this report as Attachment 2, and the Parks and Community Services Commission Staff Report is included as Attachment 3. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The City Council Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Resolution Approving the Facility Naming Policy 2) Exhibit A to the Resolution – Facility Naming Policy 3) Parks and Community Services Commission Staff Report dated June 15, 2026 (without attachments) 134 Attachment 1 Reso. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted 07/21/2026 Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. XX – 26 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING THE FACILITY NAMING POLICY WHEREAS, the City of Dublin owns and operates parks, recreation areas, community centers, sports facilities, trails, and other public amenities that serve the community; and WHEREAS, the naming and renaming of such facilities reflects the City’s history, geography, cultural identity, and community values; and WHEREAS, the City has utilized Administrative Policy 1.8 — Park Naming Protocol since 2016 to guide the naming of park facilities only through a consistent and community-focused process; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to formalize and expand upon this existing protocol by adopting a comprehensive Facility Naming Policy to provide clear criteria, roles, and procedures for naming and renaming facilities; and WHEREAS, the proposed Policy establishes a transparent and equitable framework, including community engagement, advisory review by the Parks and Community Services Commission, and final approval by the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Policy includes criteria for commemorative naming, procedures for renaming facilities and sub-facility features, and provisions to preserve the integrity and historical significance of existing facility names; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of the Facility Naming Policy will ensure consistency, transparency, and community engagement in all future naming and renaming decisions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin hereby approves the Facility Naming Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit A. {Signatures on the following page} 135 Reso. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2026 Page 2 of 2 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY the City Council of the City of Dublin, on this 21st day of July, 2026 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ______________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ City Clerk 136 Attachment 2 Exhibit A to the Resolution City of Dublin City Council Policy POLICY NAME: Facility Naming Policy ADOPTED DATE: 2026 DEPARTMENT: CMO DEPT NO.: 1100 REVISION DATE: N/A RESOLUTION #: TBD POLICY NUMBER: 104 1 of 8 I. PURPOSE: This Policy establishes a comprehensive, consistent, and transparent framework governing the official naming and renaming of City-owned facilities. It is intended to:  Honor the City’s history, geography, cultural identity, and community values.  Recognize individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions have shaped the City of Dublin.  Ensure meaningful community engagement and participation.  Provide clear and equitable criteria for renaming requests.  Preserve the integrity and longevity of established facility names. II. POLICY MANDATE 1. City Council The City Council has final authority to approve or amend all Facility naming and renaming actions by resolution. An approved name shall constitute the official name of the Facility. 2. Parks and Community Services Commission The Parks and Community Services Commission (“Commission”) serves as the principal advisory body to the City Council on Facility naming matters. Unless otherwise provided for in this Policy, the Commission reviews community input on proposed Facility names, evaluates proposals against the criteria in the General Naming Criteria section, and forwards a prioritized recommendation to the City Council. When a proposed Facility falls within the purview of another City 137 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 2 of 8 commission, committee, or advisory body, the City Council may refer the matter to the applicable body for review and recommendation prior to City Council consideration. 3. City Manager The City Manager or their designee, such as the Parks and Community Services Director (“Director”), administers this Policy, manages the community survey process, and prepares staff reports to the Commission and City Council. The City Manager has the authority to prepare and amend internal administrative procedures to carry out the intent of this Policy. III. SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY: This policy applies to all full-time and part-time City of Dublin employees. IV. DEFINITIONS: For the purposes of this Policy, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: Term Definition Commemorative Naming The naming or renaming of a Facility or Sub-Facility Feature in honor of a specific individual or organization, subject to the criteria set forth in this Policy. Facility Any City-owned park, recreation area, community center, sports facility, trail, building, or other public amenity subject to official naming or renaming under this Policy. Initial Naming The process of assigning an official name to a newly developed, newly acquired, or previously unnamed Facility for the first time. Renaming The process of replacing the existing official name of a Facility or Sub-Facility Feature with a new name, subject to the grounds and criteria set forth in this Policy. Sub-Facility Feature A sole and discrete element within a larger Facility, such as a park building, meeting room, lounge, lawn area, picnic area, 138 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 3 of 8 field, court, or plaza, which may be named separately from the parent Facility. V. POLICY PROCEDURES AND DESCRIPTION: 4. General Naming Criteria All Facility and Sub-Facility Feature names — whether for initial naming or renaming — shall be evaluated against the following criteria. No single criterion is decisive, and names should be dignified and appropriate for a public facility serving all residents. 4.1. Preferred Name Categories / Criteria  Geographic location, landmarks, or natural characteristics of the site.  Landscaping, topography, natural features, or ecological significance.  Historical significance to the City of Dublin.  Honoring an individual or organization whose contributions meet the criteria in the Commemorative Naming section.  Recognition of a person who donated the parkland or provided major funding for its development.  Functional names in line with the purpose of the Facility (e.g., the Dublin Senior Center).  Names that a reasonable community member would not find offensive, divisive, or contrary to the City’s values of inclusion and equity. 4.2. Criteria for Commemorative Naming After an Individual When a naming proposal involves honoring a specific individual, whether as a standalone name or as part of a broader descriptive name, all of the following criteria must be satisfied. 4.2.1. Deceased. The individual must have been deceased for a minimum of one year prior to consideration of a commemorative naming request. Facilities shall not be named for living persons. *See exception below. 4.2.2. Connection to the Facility. The individual must have had a meaningful, direct connection to the specific Facility. The connection should be evident and articulable to the public. 4.2.3. Significant Community Contribution. The individual must have made a sustained and significant contribution to the welfare of the Dublin community through civic leadership, volunteerism, philanthropy, public 139 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 4 of 8 service, or other demonstrated commitment to the City. Length and quality of contribution shall be both considered. 4.2.4. Not Previously Honored. The individual should not have already been honored in a comparable and meaningful way by the City (e.g., an existing named facility or comparable public memorial). The purpose is to extend recognition broadly, not to accumulate honors for a single individual. * Exception: The City Council may, by a simple majority vote, waive the deceased requirement set forth above upon a finding that the individual’s contribution is so extraordinary and uniquely tied to the Facility as to justify an exception, and that no other available recognition is adequate. 5. Initial Naming of New Facilities Initial naming applies to newly developed, newly acquired, or previously unnamed Facilities receiving an official name for the first time. The process is designed to be collaborative, transparent, and community driven. The following summarizes the key steps and requirements. 5.1. Trigger The naming process shall commence once the conceptual design for the Facility has been approved by the City Council, and the City Council directs Staff to begin the naming process. Staff from the Parks and Community Services Department and Facilities Development Division shall begin the process promptly following design approval. * * Note – the City Council retains authority to approve, without collecting public and Commission input, a name that is functional in nature (e.g., the Dublin Senior Center). 5.2. Candidate Name Development Department Staff shall solicit name nominations from the public for a period of not less than 2 weeks. Candidate names shall reflect geographic, historical, design, and community characteristics of the site. Purely commemorative or individual-name candidates may be included only if the criteria in the Commemorative Naming section have been met. From eligible nominations received, and any Staff generated names, Department Staff shall develop a list of candidate names that shall be sent out in a community survey. 140 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 5 of 8 5.3. Community Survey Staff shall prepare and distribute an electronic survey to Dublin residents citywide to solicit feedback on list of eligible candidate names. The survey shall:  Include the list of eligible candidate names identified during the Candidate Name Development process outlined above.  Include an image and description of the approved conceptual design, along with any other relevant Facility information determined appropriate by Staff.  Remain open for a minimum of two (2) weeks and no more than four (4) weeks.  Be distributed broadly using all available City channels, including: press release, City website, Parks and Community Services Commission notification, City email distribution lists, Farmers’ Market and City event postings, and Dublin Unified School District communications.  Target the entire Dublin community. No sub-community or neighborhood shall be preferentially targeted.  Provide requests for multiple Facilities simultaneously, if necessary. The Commission recommendation and City Council action may likewise address multiple Facilities in a single proceeding. 5.4. Commission Review Staff shall present survey results at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission. The Commission shall review results, evaluate candidate names in alignment with the General Naming Criteria section, and, by mo tion, recommend up to three names to the City Council, listed in order of preference. 5.5. City Council Approval Staff shall present the Commission’s recommendation to the City Council at a regularly scheduled meeting. The City Council shall approve one name by resolution or may direct Staff to return with alternate options. The name approved by the City Council shall be the official name of the Facility. The resolution will include a description of how the naming criteria are met. 141 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 6 of 8 6. Renaming Existing Facilities Renaming of an existing Facility is a significant action that affects the historical record of the City and the expectations of the community. It shall be undertaken with careful deliberation and is discouraged unless there is a compelling justification. The City Council retains full discretion to approve, deny, or defer any renaming request. 6.1. Trigger A renaming request may be initiated in either of the following ways: 6.1.1. Public Request via Public Comment. A member of the public, organization, or community group wishing to request a Facility or Sub- Facility renaming must present the request at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting during the Public Comment period. The City Council is not required to act immediately on a renaming request raised during Public Comment. The Council may, by consensus or simple majority vote, direct Staff to (1) initiate renaming procedures, (2) prepare a staff report for a future agenda to make a decision on whether to initiate naming procedures; or (3) take no further action. The following requirements apply:  The public request must be made in person during the Public Comment period of a regular City Council meeting.  The requester must identify: (1) the specific Facility or Sub-Facility proposed for renaming, (2) the proposed new name, and (3) the basis for the request, including how the request satisfies the requirements in the General Naming Criteria section.  Written materials supporting the request (e.g., biographical information, petition, letters of support) may be submitted to the City Clerk prior to or at the time of the request and will be included in the City Council record. 6.1.2. City Council-Initiated Renaming. The City Council may, by simple majority at a public meeting, initiate the process to rename a Facility or Sub-Facility Feature without the requirement of a public comment request. 142 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 7 of 8 6.2. Procedure for Renaming a Facility When the City Council directs staff to proceed with renaming a Facility, the following steps apply:  Staff shall conduct public outreach via an electronic survey to gather public feedback on the proposed name. The City Council may find that public communication that it has already received (via comment at a public meeting or in written form) may satisfy this requirement.  The Commission (if directed by the City Council) shall evaluate the proposed name at a public meeting and provide an advisory recommendation to the City Council.  Staff shall present the Commission’s recommendation (if needed) and staff analysis to the City Council at a regularly scheduled meeting.  The City Council shall act by resolution, which shall include a description of how the Naming Criteria are met. 6.3. Procedure for Renaming a Sub-Facility Feature Sub-Facility Features may be renamed separately from their parent Facility, subject to the following provisions.  Sub-Facility Feature names can be approved directly by a simple majority of the City Council without community or Commission input.  Sub-Facility Feature naming does not alter or replace the official name of the parent Facility.  The City Council shall act by resolution, which shall include a description of how the Naming Criteria are met. 6.4. Note on Subsequent Renaming If the existing Facility or Sub-Facility Feature name already honors an individual, the prior honoree’s name shall be memorialized on a permanent recognition plaque installed at the Facility, unless the individual ’s name is being removed due to character or conduct contrary to the City’s values and interests. VI. RELATED POLICIES AND REFERENCES: City of Dublin Administrative Policy No. 1.8–Park Administrative Policy Naming Protocol 143 Policy Number 1100-104: Facility Naming Policy 8 of 8 VII. APPROVED BY: The City Council, Resolution No. XX-XX VIII. ATTACHMENTS Attachment Document 1 Administrative Policy 1.8 - Park Naming Protocol IX. SUMMARY OF REVISIONS: Date Revised By Description Date Initial adoption. 144 Agenda Item 7.2 STAFF REPORT PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION Page 1 of 6 DATE: June 15, 2026 TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners FROM: Jackie Dwyer, Parks & Community Services Director SUBJECT: City Council Facility Naming Policy Prepared by: Bridget Amaya, Assistant Parks & Community Services Director EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Parks and Community Services Commission will consider recommending a Facility Naming Policy to the City Council. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommend a Facility Naming Policy to the City Council for Approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: On May 5, 2026, the City Council acknowledged that, although the City has followed an administrative protocol for park naming since 2016, the City has not formally adopted a City Council policy governing the naming and renaming of parks and facilities in Dublin . At that meeting, the City Council directed the Parks & Community Services Commission to review the draft Facility Naming Policy and provide a recommendation to the City Council for consideration and approval. This Staff Report provides a comprehensive review of past and current facility naming practices as well as a proposed new naming policy. City Facility Naming Practices in Dublin Attachment 3 145 Page 2 of 6 Background With the City’s incorporation in 1983, Dublin acquired a handful of park facilities that were already named for the community’s heritage and original family names (e.g., Shannon, Kolb, Dolan, and Mape parks). The City built its first park in 1986 in the Amador Lakes/Stagecoac h area, and at the June 23, 1986 meeting, the City Council selected the name of Stagecoach Park, as recommended by the then-titled Parks and Recreation Commission and utilizing the following naming criteria that were identified by Staff: 1) Geographic Location a) Major streets b) Water bodies c) Hills/ridgelines d) Subdivision name 2) Landscaping a) Indigenous Trees or plantings b) Topography 3) Historic significance 4) Name of people – living vs. deceased 5) Traditionally known as… While never formalized into a City Council policy, these criteria have generally been utilized since that time, with some modifications in the naming of new City facilities. However, specific procedures, which include a protocol for gathering community and Commission input, were not put in place until the City Manager adopted Administrative Policy 1.8 — Park Naming Protocol (Attachment 2) in 2016. The 2016 Park Naming Protocol has provided a consistent and community-focused process for naming new parks, outlining the steps Staff follow to ensure naming decisions are transparent, inclusive, and aligned with City Council direction. Specifically, the 2016 Park Naming Protocol does the following:  Initiates the naming process following City Council approval of a park’s conceptual design.  Directs Parks and Community Services Staff to collaboratively develop an initial list of candidate names based on established naming criteria.  Requires a citywide community survey to gather input, including Staff-recommended names, opportunities for public suggestions, and information about the park design.  Ensures equitable community outreach through multiple communication channels, including the City website, email lists, public events, and school district communications.  Provides a defined survey period (generally two to four weeks) to allow for meaningful public participation.  Allows multiple parks to be included in a single survey when appropriate.  Requires Staff to compile and present survey results, including community feedback, at a publicly noticed Commission meeting.  Directs the Commission to evaluate naming options and forward up to three ranked recommendations to the City Council. 146 Page 3 of 6  Establishes that the City Council considers the Commission’s recommendation at a public meeting and retains full authority to approve the recommendation, select a different name, or request additional options.  Confirms that the name approved by City Council resolution becomes the official and permanent name of the park. The 2016 Park Naming Protocol also maintains most of the original naming criteria considered by the City Council in 1986, with a few additions: 1) Design amenities or features; 2) Honoring an individual or organization who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the City; 3) Person who donated park land; and 4) An adjoining neighborhood, area, or street. Despite there being no formal naming procedures until 2016, for newly built neighborhoods and nature parks, the City has always generally collected public feedback and then relied on the Commission for final recommendations to the City Council. This process has resulted in the naming of Bray Commons, Butterfly Knoll Park, Clover and Sunrise Parks, Devany Square, Forest Park, Jordan Ranch Park, Passatempo Park, Piazza Sorrento, Positano Hills Park, Schaefer Ranch Park, Sean Diamond Park, Ted Fairfield Park, Poppy Meadow Park, and Wild Wind Park. For larger community parks and facilities, the process over the years has been less consistent. Some names were proposed by Staff or City Council before moving directly to the City Council approval level; others originated through task forces and/or the Commission before going to the City Council, and one followed the 2016 Park Naming Protocol: Table 1. Community Parks and Major Facilities Named Facility Reason for Name Selection Naming Process Dublin Arts Center New facility. Named to reflect functionality. Proposed by Staff. Don Biddle Community Park New park. Named after Vice Mayor Don Biddle after his passing. Proposed by City Council. Dublin Heritage Park and Museums To consolidate the operations of the Heritage Center with the buildings at the Dublin Historic Park. Names solicited from the Dublin Historical Preservation Association, the Dublin/San Ramon Women's Club, volunteer docents, and attendees at the St. Patrick's Day Tea Room. These were provided directly to City Council for consideration. Emerald Glen Park New park. Proposed by Parks & Community Services Commission and a special Task Force. Fallon Sports Park New park. Named for its location in Fallon Village area; after historic Proposed by Staff. 147 Page 4 of 6 Fallon family. The Wave New facility. Named after the facility design selected. Proposed by City Council. Wallis Ranch Community Park New park. Named after neighboring development. Followed 2016 Park Naming Protocol. There have also been a handful of amenities within facilities that previously had functional names (e.g., the Dublin Council Chambers) that have been renamed over the years for specific reasons, primarily to honor figures that made significant contributions to the community. As shown in the table below, most of these commemorative facility names originated from Staff or City Council request. Table 2. Amenities Renamed Facility Reason for Name Selection Naming Process Paul McCreary Sports Pool Named after long-serving Parks Director McCreary after his passing. Proposed by Staff. McCormick Rose Garden To honor long-time residents Tom and Claudia McCormick for their service to the community. Proposed by City Council. Pete Snyder Council Chambers Named after Dublin’s first Mayor after his passing. Proposed by Staff. Virginia Bennett Room (Library) Named after the Library’s first Children’s Librarian and Branch Manager after her passing. Proposed by City Council at the Request of the Alameda County Library. Ambrose Hall (Shannon Center) Renamed after Dublin’s first City Manager (still living). Proposed by City Council. Alamilla Springs Ballroom (Senior Center) Renamed to provide better marketing of the facility. Proposed by Staff. Community and Parks & Community Services Commission input solicited. Bray Community Room Renamed to honor the Sister City relationship with Bray/Wicklow. Proposed by Staff. Proposed Policy – City Council Facility Naming Policy Research of Other Agencies Staff researched surrounding cities and other communities in California to assist with developing a formal policy for the naming and renaming of parks and facilities in Dublin. Staf f focused on agencies that allow for commemorative naming. The results, summarized in Table 3, include the governing and advisory bodies involved, naming criteria, and whether there is a requirement that an honored individual be deceased. Table 3. Summary of Agency Naming Policies Agency Governing Body Advisory Body Commemorative Naming Criteria Deceased Requirement Dublin Unified Board of Trustees Advisory Committee, For entities or deceased individuals: outstanding contributions, including No 148 Page 5 of 6 School District if directed by Board financial contributions, to the school community; contributions of statewide, national, or worldwide significance. For living individuals: distinguishable and enduring contributions to the specific school or to the Dublin Unified School District as a whole. East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Board of Directors None Substantial or outstanding contributions to EBRPD, the East Bay region, Bay Area, state, or nation. Yes; for at least 5 years Fremont City Council None Individual should have impacted the facility/park; unless land donated, will not name after living person; must be most fitting memorial for individual or organization. Yes Hollister City Council Parks and Recreation Commission Significant contribution to economic vitality, protection of natural resources, or betterment of specific facility or feature. Yes; for at least 1 year Pasadena City Council Recreation and Parks Commission Significant contribution to the community, country, state, or field of parks and recreation. No San Ramon City Council Parks and Community Services Commission Significant contribution to City; involvement with community of 10+ years; volunteer within community. Yes; for at least 3 years Santa Clara City Council Parks and Recreation Commission Outstanding achievements, contributions, and/or enrichment of the community; Contributions must be documented historically; direct and long-term association with feature or facility. No Seaside City Council Parks and Recreation Commission; Historical Commission Significant contributions to protection of natural resources, betterment of facility/park, advancement of recreational opportunities, and volunteered 10+ years in the community. Yes; for at least 3 years 149 Page 6 of 6 Based on the above research, maintaining many of the elements of the 2016 Park Naming Protocol, and direction provided by the City Council at its May 5, 2026 meeting, Staff has put together a City Council Facility Naming Policy (Attachment 1) that establishes a clear, consistent, and transparent framework for the naming and renaming of City-owned facilities. The primary provisions of the new Policy include: 1) Naming a new, whole facility (not amenities within a facility) requires a public input process and recommendation by the Parks & Community Services Commission, with some flexibility for the City Council to directly select a name that reflects the functionality of the facility. 2) Renaming existing, whole facilities (e.g., an entire park) would generally require public and Parks & Community Services Commission input before City Council approval. 3) Renaming sub-facility features, or amenities, within a larger facility (e.g., the courtyard of a public facility or a building situated on park property) can be approved directly by the City Council. 4) All names must adhere to the criteria defined in the Policy (which are generally in place now). 5) Commemorative naming must be for a deceased person, unless the City Council finds that the individual’s contribution is so extraordinary and uniquely tied to the facility as to justify an exception, and that no other available recognition is adequate . 6) The City Council retains the ultimate decision-making authority for the naming of all community assets. Staff is requesting that the Parks & Community Services Commission review the proposed policy and provide a recommendation to the City Council for consideration and approval. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The Commission Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Draft City Council Facility Naming Policy 2) Administrative Policy 1.8 – Park Naming Protocol 150