Two former residents received the most support when the city asked local residents to help name a new park on Union Street.
Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, author Octavia Butler and the Playhouse Village received the most support in a survey conducted by the city for the park on Union Street.
The survey received 725 submissions including 45 unique proposed names.
The commission is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Advisory comments will be provided to the City Council.
The submitted names were vetted by City staff for adherence to naming criteria established in the City’s naming policy.
A second survey was held later and limited to one submission perIP address. The online survey remained open until the end of business on September 24.
According to city policy, the park can be named after the geographical location of the park or facility where it is located, geological features proximate to the park or facility, cultural or historical significance to the city or surrounding neighborhood or an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community, country, state or the field of parks and recreation.
Van Halen helped found the legendary band of the same name. He and his family moved to Pasadena in the 1960s. He attended Hamilton Elementary School, graduated from Pasadena High School, and attended Pasadena College. Van Halen began its climb to international stardom playing backyard parties in and around Pasadena from 1972-1975.
He died last year after a battle with throat cancer.
Butler, an award winning African-American author of science fiction, graduated from John Muir High School in 1965 and Pasadena City College in 1968 with an Associate of Arts degree.
She became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. Author of “The Parable of the Sower,” “Fledgling,” “Kindred,”and other landmark works, her papers are collected at the Huntington Library.
The park is located in the Playhouse District.
The park will be located on Union Street between El Molino and Oak Knoll Avenues, the site of a former Banner Bank.
The 0.67 acre park and parking lot will include a 48-space parking lot, a gender neutral restroom, and storage building, a trellis structure for community gathering, a children’s play area with rubberized play surface and shade sail structure, an El Molino entry plaza, Oak Knoll entry plaza, separated off-leash dog runs for small and large dogs
The project website will be updated throughout construction: https://www.cityofpasadena.
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One thought on “Local Residents Want Park Named After Van Halen, Butler”
This city has so many legendary, distinguished residents and leaders like Eddie Van Halen, author Octavia Butler, Pasadena desperately needs a walk of fame.