Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on Making a Recommendation to the City Council for Renaming the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex, 1401 Wilson Creek Parkway, to the Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex
Summary
MEETING DATE: July 14, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Open Space
CONTACT: Ryan A. Mullins, Assistant Director
RECOMMENDED PROS BOARD ACTION:
• Recommend the City Council to rename the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex to the Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Naming of a Park is typically coordinated with the project construction completion.
• The PROS Board provided staff with guidance re: the naming of a 16-acre park site recently constructed at 1849 Reagan Drive.
• Names were considered based on public input received during a formalized naming process as recommended by the PROS Board.
• The name Grady Littlejohn was submitted multiple times for PROS Board consideration.
• The PROS Board requested staff to bring the name, Grady Littlejohn, back at a future PROS Board meeting.
• A copy of the Municipal Facility Naming Policy is attached: 2014-01-008(R).
• A copy of the duties of the PROS Board’s role in naming parks is also attached.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• On February 11, 2016 the PROS Board voted to solicit the public for suggestion in naming a 16-acre park constructed at 1849 Reagan Drive.
• The Parks and Recreation Department solicited name suggestions from the public via an online submittal form.
• During that online submittal for park names, the McKinney Parks and Recreation Department received over 160 submittals for Grady Littlejohn.
• In 1955 Grady Littlejohn got permission from the City of McKinney to start a girls’ softball program.
• His name received the highest number of submittals due to his impact on McKinney parks.
• Grady Littlejohn ran concession for the City of McKinney for over 20 years.
• Grady Littlejohn was the first concessionaire to run concessions at the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball complex.
• Grady Littlejohn passed away on January 11, 2013.
• Staff would like the PROS Board to consider renaming the Softball/Baseball Complex at Towne Lake.
• The naming of an athletic complex after Mr. Littlejohn seems most appropriate.
• Policy allows the PROS Board to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding naming of park facilities.
• Criteria included in the attached naming policy shall be taken into consideration by the PROS Board before submitting names to the City Council.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A