Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Renaming the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex Located at 1401 Wilson Creek Parkway the “Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex”
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: August 16, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Open Space
CONTACT: Ryan A. Mullins, Assistant Director
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Adopt a Resolution renaming the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex located at 1401 Wilson Creek Parkway the “Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex”.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• City Council has adopted a policy allowing the PROS Board to recommend a Park name be changed for any reason at any time.
• 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 suggestions in naming a 16-acre park constructed at 1849 Reagan Dr.
• The Parks and Recreation Department solicited name suggestions from the public via an online submittal form.
• During that online submittal process, the McKinney Parks and Recreation Department received over 160 submittals for Grady Littlejohn.
• His name received the highest number of submittals due to his impact on McKinney parks.
• In 1955, Grady Littlejohn got permission from the City of McKinney to start a girls’ softball program.
• Grady Littlejohn ran concessions for the City of McKinney for over 20 years. He was the first concessionaire to run concessions at the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex.
• Grady Littlejohn passed away on January 11, 2013.
• Due to the overwhelming responses from the online submittal to name the 16-acre neighborhood park site at 1849 Reagan Drive, the PROS Board requested staff to bring the name, Grady Littlejohn, back at a future PROS Board meeting.
• The PROS Board felt that naming the 16-acre park site, which does not have ball fields or concessions, after Grady Littlejohn was not appropriate. The Board felt it was more appropriate to rename a facility with ball fields and concessions after Grady Littlejohn.
• On July 14, 2016, the PROS Board voted to recommend to the City Council that the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex be renamed the Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex.
• Policy allows the PROS Board to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding naming of park facilities.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• The PROS Board recommends to the City Council that the Wilson Creek Softball/Baseball Complex be renamed the “Grady Littlejohn Softball/Baseball Complex”.