SAFFORD — It appears the naming of Safford’s two newest parks will not face any major hurdles.
Concerned the recently approved city policy for the naming of parks and municipal buildings may preclude a name that is not a person, specific group or organization, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee met with the City Council in a work session Monday.
The committee would like to name the new park at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard “Legends Park,” and the new park at 14th Avenue at El Paso Boulevard “Partners Park.”
“We unanimously voted that we wanted to commemorate and recognize those that have built this community, a place to return to, a place for families, a place to belong,” said Nora Rogers, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. “Remembering our roots, and celebrating those who volunteered before us.”
Committee Vice Chair Tim Linden said amenities in the parks can be named after groups or individuals, such as the committee’s recommendation to name the amphitheater in the park at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard after the late Mayor Jason Kouts, who pushed for parks development in the final years of his life. Other amenities that could be named include trees, ramadas, bridges and bricks in the walkway.
The issue, committee member Tad Jacobson said, is that it’s difficult to narrow down the naming honor of an entire park to just one person who has contributed to the city. City Councilman Brad Hemphill told the committee he understands that difficulty.
“That would be hard,” Hemphill said. “We had a similar thing with the airport and that is a challenge.”
In February, the City Council voted unanimously to rename Safford Airport to Safford Regional Airport-1LT Duane Spalsbury Field, after World War II pilot and the first chairman of Mt. Graham Community Hospital Duane Spalsbury.
The committee will bring back the suggested park names for final action by the City Council at a future regular meeting.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:26 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to correct the proposed name of the park at 14th Avenue and El Paso Boulevard as Partners Park.
