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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Resolution No. 056RESOLUTION NO.~ SERIES OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE NAMING OF BELLEVIEW PARK BALLFIELD TO THE JACK POOLE FIELD WHEREAS, at the September 11, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting an Englewood citizen asked about naming the Belleview Park Ballfield after longtime Englewood resident Jack Poole; and WHEREAS, Mr. Poole had a major role in the expansion of the Englewood parks system, building of the Englewood Recreation Center and the development and completion of the Englewood Golf Course; and WHEREAS, Jack Poole played a role in advocating for the sale of the Englewood City Park to the developer who then built Cinderella City, generating revenue for the construction of seven more parks in Englewood, including Cushing Park and Belleview Park, creating the parks system for Englewood that exists today; and WHEREAS, Mr. Poole served on the Old Timers Board; and WHEREAS, in 1970 Jack Poole became the Chairman of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission, playing a prominent role in the building of the Englewood Golf Course from forming a feasibility committee to participating and staying involved throughout the construction and opening of the Golf Course; and WHEREAS, Jack Poole was instrumental in the efforts to build the Englewood Recreation Center, and was a constant presence at the softball fields at Belleview and Centennial Parks, both as a player and as a coach; and WHEREAS, at the November 13, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Parks and Recreation Board made a recommendation to City Council to name the Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field"; and WHEREAS, at the April 20, 2015 Study Session, staff discussed with Council the new Department of Parks and Recreation Facility Naming Policy and naming the Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field"; and WHEREAS, staff bas indicated that Mr. Poole meets all the criteria set forth in the new Policy; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission found that Mr. Poole meets the criteria of the new Policy and unanimnusly voted to forward his name to City Council for the naming of the ballfield; and WHEREAS, Jack Poole's 40 years of committed service, both as Chairman of the Englewood Parks & Recreation Commission and as a City volunteer helped create parks and recreation opportunities in Englewood that matter greatly to the Englewood Parks and Recreation Department, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the entire Englewood community, and therefore, the City of Englewood wishes to honor Mr. Poole's dedication and commitment by memorializing a particularly beloved park space in his honor. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY TIIE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. City Council hereby names the Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field". ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 18th day of May, 2015. , I, Loucrishia A. Ellis, City Clerk forl C~ty of Englewood, Colorado , hereby certify the above is a true copy of Resolution No. Series of 2015 . . • COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Date Agenda Item Subject May 18, 2015 11 Ci Naming Jack Poole Field Initiated By .. Staff Source Department of Parks and Recreation Joe Sack, Recreation Services Manager COUNCIL GOAL ANO PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION Mission: To promote and ensure a high quality of life, economic vitality, and a uniquely desirable community identity. Vision: To promote and ensure a high quality of life, economic vitality, and a uniquely desirable community identity by proactively collaborating with our citizens and businesses, developing a safe environment, creating opportunity, and through the provision of reliable, affordable and flexible services. At the January 5, 2015 Study Sess i on, staff discussed naming the Belleview Park ballfield after Jack Poole. City Council requested that a formal policy be developed for naming or renaming Parks and Recreation facilities before moving forward. -At the April 20, 2015 Study Session, staff discussed with Council the new Department of Parks and Recreation Facility Naming Policy and naming the Belleview Park ballfield the ''Jack Poole Field". City Council asked staff to bring forward the recommendation to name the Belleview Park ballfield after Mr. Poole. RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff recommends that City Council approve a resolution naming the Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field." BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, AND ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED An Englewood citizen attended the September 11, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to talk to the Board about naming the Belleview Park ballfield after longtime Englewood resident Jack Poole. Mr. Poole was a significant contributor to the Department of Parks and Recreation, giving more than forty years as a volunteer. Mr. Poole served as the League Chief on the Old Timers Board and more than sixteen years on the Parks and Recreation Commission where he was the Chairperson for ten of those years. Mr. Poole also had a major role in the expansion of the Englewood parks system, building of the Englewood Recreation Center and the development and completion of the Englewood Golf Course. At the November 13, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Parks and Recreation Board made a recommendation to City Council to name the Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field" . • At the April 9, 2015 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Parks and Recreation Board recommended to City Council to adopt the Department of Parks and Recreation's Facility Naming Policy. FINANCIAL IMPACT Estimated signage cost $250 to $500. Funding for this project is available in the approved 2015 Parks budget LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Parks and Recreation Facility Naming Policy Parks and Recreation Commission Memorandum • Recommendation to City Council to name Belleview Park ballfield after Mr. Jack Poole Parks and Recreation Commission Memorandum • Recommendation to City Council to adopt the Department of Parks and Recreation's Facility Naming Policy. Application Criteria for Naming Belleview Park ballfield the "Jack Poole Field" Proposed Resolution • • City of Englewood Department of Parks and Recreation Facility Naming Policy It is the policy of Englewood Parks and Recreation Department that the naming of new and renaming of existing parks and recreational facilities be reserved for exceptional circumstances and that the naming process comply with the guidelines and procedures set forth in this policy. Approval of naming requests is a prestigious and cautious process that involves the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission, City of Englewood Director of Parks and Recreation, and Englewood City Council. The Parks and Recreation Commission, Director of Parks and Recreation and Englewood City Council reserve the right to name any new or existing "Parks and Recreation Facilities". In regards to this document, "Parks and Recreational Facilities" will include the following: Parks: All traditional designed parks, natural open spaces, historic sites, golf courses, specialized parks (e.g. skate park), trailheads and trails under the Department's jurisdiction or management. Buildings: Significant park and recreation structures that house parks and recreational programs (e .g. recreation centers, shelters, etc.). Major Features: Major, permanent components of park and recreational facilities, e.g. ball fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, flower beds, playgrounds, fountains, artwork, or physical features (lakes). Rooms within buildings are considered to be major features. Background and Principles The policy of the Department is to reserve the naming or renaming of parks and recreational facilities to those circumstances which tradition and practice have shown to best serve the interests of the City and assure a worthy and enduring legacy of the City's parks and recreation system. The Department supports consideration of naming requests in the following broad categories: Exceptional Individuals: Sometimes recognition of an exceptional City leader or a dedicated supporter of the City parks and recreation system can result in a community supported renaming of an existing or naming of a new park or recreational facility. Historic Events. Places, and Persons: The history of a major event or place or historic persons can play an important role in the naming or renaming of parks and recreational facilities. The public often expresses a strong desire to preserve and honor the history of the City, its founders, pioneers, and other historical figures, its Native American heritage, and its local landmarks and prominent geographical locations by giving certain parks and recreational facilities names of historic, social, and cultural significance. Monetary Donations I Major Gifts: Benefactors seeking naming rights for major gifts will be required to follow the guidelines with respect to naming of parks and buildings after persons. An exception may be considered on its own merits. A major feature that has been donated or refurbished may be named for a living person(s) provided that said person(s) is of good reputation and character. Criteria Consideration of each nomination will require sufficient supporting documentation that connects the request to one or more of the criteria "a" through "h" listed below. A reasonable amount of background material/history (ie: list of accomplishments, list of awards, etc.) is required along Page 1 of 3 with letters of support from members of the community who are familiar with the nominee's contributions as they relate to these criteria. a . Will the name have historical, cultural, and social significance for generations to come? b. Will the name engender a strong and positive image? c. Will the name memorialize or commemorate people, places, or events that are of enduring importance to the community, state or the nation? d. Will the name engender significant ties of friendship and mutual recognition and support within the community or with those outside of the community? e. Will the name be identified with some major achievement or the advancement of the public good within the community, state or the nation? f. Will the name be particularly suitable for the park or recreational facility based on the location or history of the park, recreational facility, or the surrounding neighborhood? g. Will the name have symbolic value that transcends its ordinary meaning or use and enhance the character and identity of the park or recreational facility? h. Will the naming request that accompanies a corporate gift result in the undue commercialization of the park or recreational facility? Procedure for community or citizen request to name or rename a park or building The procedure for a request to name or rename a park or recreation facility is as follows: 1) A written request must be received by the Director of Parks and Recreation. 2) The Director of Parks and Recreation will coordinate with the applicant to make a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission. 3) The Parks and Recreation Commission will review the request and determine whether or not to recommend the proposed new name to the Englewood City Council for final approval. An affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the Commission is necessary to recommend approval of a new name. To be considered: 1. Any naming request shall be submitted in writing to the Director of Parks and Recreation. 2. The request should document the reason for the request and show broad-based community support including letters of support from the community, community or sports associations, and/or local supporters and businesses. 3. The request should contain a description and/or map of the boundaries of the park or building to be named or renamed. 4. Requests from any person(s) or entity(ies) who donates property or provides significant monetary contribution towards acquisition or development of a facility or property shall receive special consideration. 5 . If a name is submitted which commemorates a historical event, the event will be one of significance to a substantial portion of the community, and this fact will be documented. 6. Facilities shall not be named for service clubs, lodges, fraternal organizations , religious or educational institutions, or any other society. 7. Profane or offensive names are not eligible. 8. Parks and recreation facilities may be named for a person subject to the following conditions: • a. The person may be deceased or living. IJ b. The person must have made a significant positive contribution to parks, recreation, or culture in the community without which the park/facility may not Page 2 of 3 exist, or in which the individual's contributions enhanced a program or facility in an extraordinary way. c . From the time the formal request is received by the Director of Parks and Recreation to when the process will begin, due diligence and process will not exceed twelve months. 9. The City will bear the cost of the plaque or monument indicating the name of the individual for whom the facility is named. Procedures for the naming and renaming of parks, buildings, and major features associated with major gifts. The request to name or rename a park, building and major feature associated with major gift will follow the same procedure as stated under Procedure to name or rename a park or recreation facility. The community will be notified of the proposed action at the Commission meeting. Other Considerations The limitation on naming a park should not prevent giving a different name for a trail, building, or major feature located in or near the park. However, care should be taken in giving a name to a trail, building, or major feature that is different from the name of the park so that confusion is not caused for the users of said differently named facilities. Facilities that are held by the Department through a short-term lease or use agreement or improvements that have a limited life span or occupancy should not be named. All signs on parks and recreational facilities must meet the Department's graphic and signage standards. At the sole discretion of the City, the City reserves the right to remove or rename parks, buildings, and major features at any time for any reason. Page 3 of 3 April 2015 Memorandum TO: Eric Keck, City Manager Englewood City Council THROUGH: Jerrell Black, Director of Parks and Recreation FROM: DATE: RE: Debby Severa, Recording Secretary Parks and Recreation Commission November 20, 2014 Recommendation to name the ballfield at Belleview Park the "Jack Poole Field" Zachary Harder attended the September Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to talk to the Board about the passing of longtime Englewood resident Jack Poole and to recommend to the Board naming the ballfield at Belleview Park the Jack Poole Field. Harder spoke to the Board how Mr. Poole had a significant impact to the Englewood Parks and Recreation baseball program and its participants in addition how Mr. Poole played a major role in the creation of the Olde Timers Youth Baseball Program. Mr. Harder told the Board that Mr. Poole served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for more than sixteen years and had a role in the development and expansion of the parks and recreation facilities and activities for the City of Englewood Including the expansion of the Englewood parks system, building of the Englewood Recreation Center and the development and completi on of the Englewood Golf Course. Currently there is not a formal policy regarding the naming or renaming of Parks and Recreation facilities. In the past, the Parks and Recreation Commission has made recommendations to City Council regarding the designation of facilities . Once the recommendation was given to City Council, they would determine whether or not to name or rename a facility within the City. In November, the family of Jack Poole attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and provided history and photographs of Jack (see attached). At the November Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, ds/JB A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Commission Member Miller to recommend to City Council to name the ballfield at Belleview Park the lack Poole Field or Memorial. Ayes: Nayes: Husbands, Howard, Miller, Moore, Woodward, Glover, Mansbacher None The motion carried. H:\2014 PRC\Recommendation Naming Belleview Ballfield.docx Attachments (2) cc: Michael Flaherty Dan Brotzman Parks and Recreation Commission • • Memorandum TO: Eric Keck, Oty Manager Englewood City Council THROUGH: Jerrell Black, Director of Parks and Recreation FROM: Debby Severa, Recording Secretary Parks and Recreation Commission DATE: April 16, 2015 RE: Parks and Recreation Facility Naming Policy Recommendation At the April 9, 2015, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, ds/JB A motion was made by Chairperson Douglas Garrett and seconded by Commission Member Jim Woodward recommending to City Council to adopt the Department of Parks and Recreation's Facility Naming Policy. Ayes: Nayes: Garrett, Husbands, MIiier, Moore, Woodward, Glover, Mansbacher None The motion carried. H:\2015 PRC\Recommendation Facility Naming Policy.docx Attachments ( 1) cc: Parks and Recreation Commission City of Englewood Department of Parks and Recreation Naming Criteria for Mr. Jack Poole Naming of Belleview Park Ballfield the "Jack Poole Field" May 6, 2015 a. Will the name have historical, cultural and social significance for generations to come: b. Will the name engender a strong and positive image? c. Will the name memorialize or commemorate people, places, or events that are of enduring importance to the community, state or the nation? d. Will the name engender significant ties of friendship and mutual recognition and support within the community or with those outside of the community? e. Will the name be identified with some major achievement or the advancement of the public good within the community, state or the nation? f. Will the name be particularly suitable for the park or recreat ional facility based on the location or history of the park, recreational facility, or the surrounding neighborhood? g. Will the name have symbolic value that transcends its ordinary meaning or use and enhance the character and identity of the park or recreational facility? h. Will the naming request that accompanies a corporate gift result in the undue commercialization of the park or recreational facility? During this process, there are eight criteria requirements for consideration. After much research and deliberation, it is staff's determination that Mr. Poole has met all of the criteria. • Mr. Poole has had a presence with the Department of Parks and Recreation for more than fifty years (1944 to 2000). • Mr. Poole was a participant in the youth Englewood Old Timer's League beginning in 1944. In the 1960's, Mr. Poole played fastpitch softball for teams in the Englewood league; eventually officiating for the City's leagues. • In 1960, Mr. Poole began volunteering his time on the Old Timer's Board and in 1964 became the League Chief. • In 1965, Mr. Poole and his wife, Bonnie, moved to their long time residence next to what became Belleview Park. • In 1965, Mr. Poole advocated for the sale of the Englewood City Park which generated revenue for the construction of seven more parks in Englewood, one of which was Belleview Park. • In 1970, Mr. Poole joined the Parks and Recreation Commission, serving as Chairperson from 1978 to 1988. • Mr. Poole played a prominent role in building of the Englewood Golf Course, Englewood Recreation Center in addition to the softball fields at Belleview and Centennial Park. • In 1985, Mr. Poole began working for the City of Englewood as a Marshall at the Englewood Golf Course (now Broken Tee Englewood Golf Course}, eventually becoming Assistant Manager. • After Mr. Poole retired, he and his wife would go down to the Belleview ballfield in the evenings to watch the ball games. November 13, 2014 To the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our story about our father, Jack Poole . We must start with an apology. In trying to provide context as to why our father deserves the honor of your time and consideration, we will be doing so without great specificity regardin1 dates. The two best sources at our disposal for the Information we present are unable to help us much. Jack would have been the best one to remember all the dates, titles, places, and people, but he fs gone. My mother, Bonnie, would have been an excellent source as well, but she is In a nursing home and struggles with dementia. So it is up to the brothers, a few pictures, and what we can all put together. Here Is what we know for sure. Both of my parents were lifelong Englewood residents. They grew up not too far apart in the older part of Englewood near Broadway and Girard. Jack actually started playing baseball in 1944 fn the Englewood Old Timer's League (picture lnduded}. After graduating from Englewood High School In 1948, Bonnie and Jack got married and lived In a house at 129 W. Girard. Jack started playing fast pitch softball for teams In the Englewood league In 1950. Then oldest brother Gary was born in 1951. As far as we know those two facts are unrelated. Sometime In the early 60's Jack began volunteering his time on the Old Timer's Board. We imagine he served a year or two before becoming the League Chief In 1964 (picture included). It was the beginning of approximately 40 years of service to the Englewood Parks and Recreation program, most of It volunteer. Jack and Bonnie had two more kids, Scott and Shawn, mostly to keep Gary busy, and In 1965 moved to their long time residence at 4961 South Kalamath Drive, right next to what was at the time a landfill, but Is now Belleview Park. In that same year, Jack played a role in advocating for the sale of the Englewood City Park to the developer who then built Cinderella City. We are unsure what his role was In his position as League Chief, but Gary remembers threatening phone calls coming to the house from citizens unhappy with the deal. But what a deal it would become, generating revenue for the construction of 7 more parks In Englewood, Including Cushing Park and Belleview Park, arguably creating the parks system for Englewood that exists today. By 1970 Jack moved from the Old Timer's Board to the Parks and Recreation Commission. He became the Chairman soon after. In his role on the Commission he was a strong and passionate voice for the building of the Englewood Golf Course, playing a prominent role throughout the entire process from forming a feasibility committee and participating and advocating during every vote, to staying Involved throughout the construction and opening of all phases (pictures included). • Until he left the Commission, sometime in the late S0's, he was a strong voice for every Parks and Recreation Issue that came along, many of which the brothers simply do not remem ber, other than the passion with which he went about his job, which was all volunteer. We do know he was Instrumental In the efforts to build the Recreat ion Center, becom ing a dally visitor once It was completed . And, of course, he was a constant presence at the Softball fields at Belleview and Centennial Park as a player and as a coach. Even after he stopped coaching in the late S0's, he could be found at Belleview Park every night in the bleachers or up above the field on his favorite bench. On a personal note from the four brothers, we played a part in this as well. We benefltted from the relationships in Englewood that our father developed over the course of his lifetime. His friends were everywhere, as was his influ ence, and thu s th e four of us got to know two generations of Who was Who (and still ls) in the Englewood Parks and Recreation world. Each of us, from our earliest memories, spent vast amounts of time at the parks, from Denny Miller and the original City Park, to Belleview, Cushing, Romans, and Centennial. The Parks in Englewood were simply a part of the fabric of our lives. We got summer Jobs as well, each of us working at various parks, softball fields, and even the golf cours e. We also all got to know a young intern named Jerrell Black, who eventually became a big deal :) Looking back, we grew 9 up with the feeling that those parks and those places simply belonged to us. After retiring from the Post Office in 1985, Jack got his first paying job in the City, working as a Marshall at the golf course. He eventually worked his way up to the Assistant Manager position, enjoying his time until his final retirement in 2000. It marked the end of 40 years of involvement In the Parks and Recreation programs in Englewood. Such was his presence and dedication, that his retirement program was titled, "A History of the City of Englewood Parks and Recreation Department" (picture attached). Retirement didn't mark the end of his presence, though, for he walked daily at Belleview Park until he could no longer walk that far, and he was a daily fixture at the recreation center and golf course to the very end of his life. Jack's dedication to the Parks and Recreation programs in Englewood is fn many ways a reflection of an era gone by. America has seen a great decline in the type of volunteering he did. Times have changed: Transiency rates are higher and volunteerfsm In general Is down significantly. His 40 years of constant presence and commitment is stunning. There is simply no way we can capture all that he did in those years for the Parks and Recreation world In Englewood. All we have to point to are the larger projects, but there were countless hours and days spent on smaller projects and lesser tasks, each of which mattered greatly to the people • involved a nd to the overall development of the Parks and Recreation programs. From his beginnings on the Old Timer's Board, to his years at Belleview at the softball field, to his time on the commission advocating for the golf course, the rec center, and countless other projects to the benefit of the citizens of Englewood, Jack Poole's name deserves to be mentioned In the same breath with his peers of the time, Colbert Cushing and Packy Romans, as the Founding Fathers of Parks and Recreation In the City of Englewood. We are here tonight to ask that you honor Jack by naming the softball field at Belleview Park after him, or If we want to dream big, maybe name all of Belleview Park after him. However, regardless of the decision you make, we will be honored that anything was considered, and we are honored to be able to speak to you tonight. Sincerely, Gary, Scott, Shawn, and Tony Poole .. • • •