REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Ad Hoc Facilities Naming and Honorary Committee Recommendation to Name the San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park as the "Everett N. "Eddie" Souza Park"
Report
BACKGROUND
The San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park site, located at 2439 Monroe Street, is a 1.5 acre neighborhood park that was dedicated for public park use on August 25, 2018. The park features a large grass area, natural and drought tolerant landscaping, picnic area, a parking lot, age appropriate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 6-12, a restroom building, an off-leash dog area, and a separate 0.5 acre fenced Community Garden with an outdoor class room, individual and group garden plots. The park sits adjacent to the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trailhead.
Under Council Policy No. 035 (Attachment 1), the Parks & Recreation Commission makes recommendations to Council for names of facilities relating to the commission's purview. Naming recommendations are referred to the Ad-Hoc Facility Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee. The Committee reviews all naming proposals and makes its recommendation to the full Council for final review and approval.
On February 20, 2018, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed potential names for new park sites. Due to his dedication and service to the Santa Clara community, Everett N. Souza was considered. Mr. Souza was a third-generation Santa Claran who was involved in numerous community organizations and was an advocate for the underprivileged members in the community. He was elected to the Santa Clara City Council in 1979 and served six years until being elected Mayor in 1986, and re-elected for a second term as Mayor in 1990. In addition to his public service, he had a passion for apricot and pear orchards, grafting, and composting. After consideration of various names, the Commission recommended that Council refer the Commission's recommendation to the Ad Hoc Facilities Naming and Honorary Recognition Committee to...
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