SAFFORD — It’s not about the family name for Randa Owens-McKinney, it’s about honoring the people who helped shaped Safford.
During Wednesday’s open house for the public to offer possible names for two new parks under development — at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard, and at 14th Avenue and El Paso Boulevard — McKinney made the pitch for the name Owens Park.
In talking with members of Safford Parks Advisory Committee, as well as City Council members Dusti Brantner and Michael Andazola, McKinney explained that her great-grandfather, James Thomas “JT” Owens served as mayor from 1920-22, her grandfather, Oance Owens founded Safford Builders Supply in 1938 — making it tied with Haralson Tire as the oldest continually operating businesses in the Gila Valley — and her father Heavy, and uncle Marvin Owens developed 16 subdivisions, creating 700 homes.
The Owens family also donated land for the city’s water-retention areas, as well as donated land for the multi-use path that connects Safford and Thatcher. Plus the family has supported numerous community projects and events.
McKinney’s naming proposal is one of almost 300 that have been submitted to the city online thus far, and there are more opportunities to offer input.
“We’ll be in person again at the Air Show (Nov. 9 at Safford Regional Airport/1Lt Duane Spalsbury Field), and we will have paper surveys for people who are not comfortable online at the Library, City Hall and City Annex until Nov. 15,” said Jaime Embick, director of Planning and Community Development for the city.
Previously, the Parks Advisory Committee suggested the name Legends Park for the park at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard, and Partners Park as the name for the park at 14th Avenue and El Paso Boulevard.
The City Council will be presented with the public’s recommendations at a regular meeting in December or January.
Meanwhile, the city expects to break ground for the sewer line extension for the park at 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard in January.
That park will include a custom splash pad, outdoor amphitheater, pickleball courts, playground equipment areas, zipline, food truck vending area, landscaping, parking and shade structures. Total park cost, from design to construction, is estimated at $8.9 million.
