Title:
Title
Renaming Mesa Grande Park as William Caston Park
End
FileID
File ID: 2018-01516
Location
Location: District 7
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution: 1) approving renaming of Mesa Grande Park as William Caston Park; and 2) increasing the Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Department’s FY2018/19 Operating Budget by $18,200 (Park Development Impact Fee Fund, Fund 3204) from the Fund 3204 Available Fund Balance.
Contact: Brianna Moland, Assistant Planner, (916) 808-6188; Raymond Costantino, Park Planning and Development Services Division Manager, (916) 808-1941, Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Parks Location Map
3-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment (Department) recommends approving the renaming of Mesa Grande Park as William Caston Park. Mesa Grande Park is a 6.27-acre neighborhood park located at 4325 Valley Hi Drive in South Area (Council District 7).
William “Willie” Caston was an active member of the Deerfield Mesa Grande community and worked tirelessly to keep it safe. He helped patrol his neighborhood as one of the first “Volunteers in Police Services” (VIPS), an initiative started by former Police Chief Rick Braziel and the Deerfield Mesa Grande Neighborhood Association. The VIPS program urges members of the Deerfield Mesa Grande community to be the eyes and ears of the local police.
Willie was born in 1942 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He moved to Sacramento in 1987, where he soon began working at MaryAnn’s Baking Company as the Sanitation Department Manager. During this move, he and his wife, Charlene Stewart, bought their home in the new development known as Deerfield Mesa Grande. Willie and Charlene quickly became part of the community, and Willie joined the VIPS program to help build bridges between the public and the local police. Before Willie passed peacefully in his sleep in November 2017, he was recognized for over 600 hours of service with the VIPS program.
Willie was also the President of the Deerfield Mesa Grande Neighborhood Association for over five years. Under his leadership and with the help of the board, he brought a synergy to the organization and the neighborhood. He led neighborhood events such as National Night Out, where he and others from the Deerfield Mesa Grande Neighborhood Association fed as many as 250 community members at no cost. Willie also supported District 7 activities such as the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Summer First Fridays, Jazz in the Park, and movie nights.
Willie loved Mesa Grande Park. He and other members of the neighborhood association helped keep it clean as part of the “Adopt-a-Park” program. He played a pivotal role in revamping the Mesa Grande Park under Council Members Darrell Fong and Rick Jennings. He was a solid contributor to the changes enjoyed today by the Deerfield Mesa Grande community. Willie was a friend to all and took pride in his neighborhood as he spent numerous hours assisting in any way possible. He left behind a legacy of service to his community and he will truly be missed.
Policy Considerations: On February 18, 1988, the City Council approved the Mesa Grande Park Master Plan. This park has the following amenities, including: picnic areas, play areas such as a tot lot and an adventure playground, a walking and jogging trail with a fitness course station, and a basketball court. Members of the community have requested to rename Mesa Grande Park after William Caston. On February 26, 2008, City Council adopted Resolution 2008-112, establishing a Facility Naming Policy. The policy contains guidance when naming facilities or portions of facilities. One of the guiding policies encourages facilities to be named for individuals or families that have contributed significantly to the community or facility posthumously (at least one year since date of passing).
Providing parks and recreation facilities is consistent with the City’s strategic plan to enhance livability in Sacramento’s neighborhoods by expanding park, recreation, and trail facilities throughout the City. Park naming is part of the Park Development Process as outlined in the City of Sacramento’s 2005-2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Economic Impacts: The cost of a park sign is included in the park development budget.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The proposed project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. The project consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities of structures.
Sustainability: Not Applicable
Commission/Committee Action: The park renaming was considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission at its October 4, 2018 meeting. The Commission recommended approval of renaming the park as William Caston Park.
Rationale for Recommendation: Renaming the Mesa Grande Park as William Caston Park is consistent with the City’s Facility Naming Policy. The policy allows for facilities to be named for historical significance, distinct developmental features, neighborhood, community, or access streets, or an individual who has contributed significantly to the community or the facility at least one year after their passing.
Financial Considerations: Staff recommends increasing the Department’s FY2018/19 Operating Budget by $18,200 (Fund 3204) from the Fund 3204 Available Fund Balance. Once the appropriation is made, there will be sufficient funding in the Department’s FY2018/19 Operating Budget (Fund 3204) to purchase the sign and provide a plaque honoring Willie Caston.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not Applicable