Staff writer
With little fanfare, Marion City Council approved a resolution Monday evening, renaming Marion’s Central Park to Brooker Park.
City administrator David Mayfield read the resolution, “officially” changing the name and becoming effective Dec. 1.
Councilman Bill Holdeman asked if there was a contract. City attorney Dan Baldwin said he had not seen a contract.
“It has not been brought forward that the city would have to repay the first $50,000,” Baldwin said, if the city chose not to rename the park.
He continued the question is, “What is it really going to mean to citizens?”
“I think they (the Paul Brooker family/trust) just want it memorialized in a plaque,” Baldwin said. He said it was “simple and low key.”
Mayfield agreed.
“We don’t have to change the Central Park sign. It is up to the council where the plaque should be located,” he said.
Baldwin said these types of requests are common and the city probably will be asked to do a similar resolution in the future.
“The plaque won’t change the Central Park name,” councilman Steven Smith said.
The motion passed 4-1, with Holdeman opposing.
Following the meeting, Olson was asked to clarify the council’s position with the resolution. She explained it was just that — a resolution which is not the same as an ordinance. She believed this does not affect the “official” name of the park which will remain Central Park.
Ideas are being gathered regarding the use of an anticipated $50,000 donation from the Paul K. Brooker Trust.
An initial $50,000 donation was given to the city about 10 years ago which resulted in the development of a water feature in the park.