Robbinsdale To Consider Ban On Naming Parks After People
It’s likely that Sanborn Park in Robbinsdale will get a new identity. But first the city council wants to revamp its parks and facilities naming policy.
The Robbinsdale City Council voted to suspend its park naming policy on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Sanborn Park is named after a family that’s been linked to the use of discriminatory land covenants.
In mid-September, the council considered two potential new names for the park.
One is Castile Park, named after Philando Castile, a motorist who was fatally shot by police in 2016. His family were longtime Robbinsdale residents.
The second name considered was Shoreline Park, named after the street where the park is located.
The council delayed the vote to select a new name.
Instead, almost a month after the initial public hearing, the council decided to reconsider its park naming policy.
It’s likely that Sanborn Park in Robbinsdale will get a new identity, but first, the city council wants to revamp its parks and facilities naming policy.
New Policy
There was an appetite among some council members to ban the naming of parks after specific people. However, that wasn’t shared by the entire council.
Council Member Jason Greenberg, who joined the council after winning a recent special election, is a proponent of the ban.
“Now you’re comparing people and their merits on did they do enough, are they worthy, and I feel like that gets us into just a problematic place as well,” he said.
Council Members Mia Parisian said she wasn’t sure she’d be able to support the ban.
“After this public hearing and then removing the option to name after people, that can be perceived as reactive, and I think in some cases harmful,” she said.
Likewise, Council Member Aaron Wagner questioned what would happen to other existing facilities named after people if the ban was approved.
The council will review the revised policy at a future meeting.
