About the Naming Process

How Naming Works 
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) works with the community to name new parks, community centers, and trails.

In evaluating potential names, staff considers:

• City Council Policy 7-5, Naming of City-Owned Land and Facilities. This Policy is intended to apply to the naming of new City lands and facilities, such as entire parks (or other City facilities – like a fire station) that are more substantial than an “amenity”. Amenities are smaller features within existing already named facilities, like a playground, a room in a community center, or a segment of a trail. The naming of amenities follows a separate administrative procedure that is approved by the City Manager.
• PRNS’s Vision and Goals

How Are Names Suggested? Any person can suggest a name by completing a NAME SUGGESTION FORM. Additionally, City staff research names and provides Department preferred suggestions for the community to consider. Department preferred names prioritize names that reflect the Vision and Goals of Activate SJ, The City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals, names in the existing inventory, and that will best support the designing of the facility.   

Once all name suggestions have been collected, members of the public can select their preferred name by participating in a public survey. PRNS staff uses the results of these surveys, other community feedback, and Department guidance to recommend a name to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council considers Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation. The City Council makes the final decision and is ultimately responsible for adopting official names.

City's Naming Criteria

To be eligible for consideration, new name suggestions must reflect at least one of the following policy criteria:

• Geographic location of the facility
• Prominent geographic feature of local reference point near the facility
• Adjoining subdivision/community features
• A historical event or person
• A deceased individual (individual must be deceased for at least five years and have made significant contributions to San José, the State, the Nation, or to the World)
• A group via a donation or sponsorship agreement (See City Council Policy 1-17, Donation, Sponsorship and Fundraising Guidelines for more information).

Guidance for Park Name Suggestions

In addition to meeting the Council criteria, the Department encourages names that recognize, highlight, and foster:

• Significant events, groups, inventions or innovations, movements, the signing of important documents, etc. that have contributed to and elevated San José as a place of distinction
• A more inclusive history of San José
• A sense of racial justice and inclusivity by providing a more complete representation of the City’s population
• The ecological, geographical, and historical landscape of the City and its neighborhoods.
• The unique story of San José and that elevate untold stories of the City and its residents
• The rich tapestry of the City and provide a sense of inclusion and belonging
• A sense of place and that create identity in terms of the history, culture, and contributions of San José residents

How to Suggest a Name

1. Review City Council Policy 7-5 and the guidance provided on this webpage.
2. Complete and submit a Suggestion Form:
   • Download the form and send the completed form to PRNS staff by:
     
     • Email: ParkPlanning@sanjoseca.gov
     • Mail: Park Naming, Capital Projects; 9th Floor, 200 E. Santa Clara St, San José, CA 95113

Disclaimer: To be considered in a pending survey or public meeting, names must meet the eligibility criteria and be submitted by the deadline listed in the survey or at least eight weeks in advance of a public meeting. All name suggestions will be reviewed and vetted internally. Only qualifying names will be included as an option in public surveys and during public meetings. Qualifying names can be received during the public meetings, but will not be able to be considered by the community before the meeting.

Suggestions on Behalf of Organizations

If you would like to submit a name suggestion on behalf of an organization, please submit a letter on the organization’s letterhead along with a completed Name Suggestion form. Please describe the organization’s support and reasoning for the nomination and email the letter to: ParkPlanning@sanjoseca.gov.

What Happens Next?

Once you submit your suggestion, you will receive an email within five business days acknowledging receipt. Additional information may be required if the submission is incomplete or unclear. Staff will review the name suggestion for eligibility in alignment with the City Council Policy criteria and the Department’s goals. Qualifying names received before the deadline will be included as an option in future public surveys and public meetings.

Staff has the discretion to combine and modify qualifying names.