SR 04-26-2016 8B
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 26, 2016
Agenda Item: 8.B
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Naming Buffer Park and Consideration of Renaming Stewart Street Park
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the Recreation and Parks
Commission's recommendation to select Gandara Park as the official name for Buffer
Park and to not recommend any change to Stewart Street Park at this time.
Executive Summary
Construction has begun on a 2.35 acre park on Exposition Boulevard between Stewart
Street and Dorchester Avenue. Community outreach was conducted during the month of
October 2014 to solicit formal name recommendations for this park, which has been
nicknamed Buffer Park. The Recreation and Parks Commission considered survey
results and public comment at its November 20, 2014 meeting and recommended two
considered these recommendations on January 26, 2016 and noted that public
comment and input received prior to the meeting was primarily divided between two
names: Gandara Park and George Ishihara Memorial Park. Council directed staff to
recommendations for Buffer Park and to consider renaming Stewart Street Park. The
Recreation and Parks Commission again reviewed name suggestions for Buffer Park
and considered renaming Stewart Street Park at their March 17, 2016 meeting.
Following public input and considerable discussion, the Commission approved a motion
recommending that Council continue to consider Gandara Park as the official name for
Buffer Park. In a separate motion the Commission recommended Heroes Park or
Citizens Park as two possible alternative names for Buffer Park and did not make any
recommendations for renaming Stewart Street Park at this time.
Background
Council adopted a policy for naming City-owned land, buildings and facilities on July 9,
2002 (Attachment A) which established formal guidelines and a procedure for
considering appropriate names (see Attachment B for a summary of these guidelines).
such as the Recreation and Parks Commission, the Library Board and the Landmarks
Com
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which staff, representatives of advisory bodies and civic organizations, and the general
public may offer testimony. Since the Recreation and Parks Commission has purview
ovfor
park names.
Buffer Park is a new 2.35 acre park that is currently being built on Exposition Boulevard.
Stewart Street Park is a 3.8 acre park that opened in 1975 on the site of a former
intersection of Exposition Boulevard). Stewart Street predates the park by more than 50
years. An ordinance dedicating and naming Stewart Street was signed on May 16, 1921
(Attachment C). City records do not conclusively identify the origin of the street name
but a probable theory is that it was named in honor of William F. Stewart, a United
States Senator from Nevada. Stewart was a business partner of City founder, John P.
Jones, who was also a Senator from Nevada. In 1874, the two invested in silver mines
together and had hoped to build a railroad from the mines in Inyo County to Santa
Monica (Attachment D). Another theory is that Stewart Street could have been named in
honor of Edwin Stewart, a long-time resident and prominent businessman involved in
Planning Board (Attachment E). While Stewart Street was likely named in honor of an
individual, it should be noted that Stewart Street Park was not named for an individual
but rather in reference to its location on Stewart Street.
Discussion
Public Outreach
Several community outreach strategies were employed in 2014 to generate possible
names for Buffer Park. Staff met with the Pico Neighborhood Association, launched a
those on the Buffer Park interest list.
The community submitted a total of 135 diverse park name suggestions. The most
commonly suggested names are listed below (see Attachment F for a complete list of
names submitted).
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Toypurina Park (16 submissions)
Exposition Park (or similar variation; 9 submissions)
George Ishihara Memorial Park (or similar variation; 6 submissions)
Santa Monica Park (5 submissions)
Hachi Park (3 submissions)
Nisei Park (3 submissions)
Vida Park (3 submissions)
Subsequent to the survey closing, a few community members sent emails to the
Recreation and Parks Commission recommending another name, Gandara Park.
Additional information regarding each of the aforementioned suggested names is
available in Attachment G.
In an effort to engage the community beyond the survey, outreach has continued
throughout the naming process. Prior to each public hearing related to the naming of
including those who completed a naming survey and provided an email address. Lastly,
a public notice was sent the week of March 7, 2016 to all current residents and business
and property owners within a quarter-mile of Stewart Street Park to inform them that
renaming the park, along with the naming of Buffer Park, would be considered at the
March 17, 2016 Recreation and Parks Commission meeting and the April 26, 2016
Council meeting.
Commission and Council Action
The Recreation and Parks Commission initially considered the full list of Buffer Park
name recommendations at its meeting on November 20, 2014 (Attachment H).
Following public comment and discussion, the Commission approved a motion to
recommend to Council the consideration of two potential names for the park currently
known as Buffer Park: Gandara Park and Heroes Park.
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The name Gandara Park was recommended by the Recreation and Parks Commission
to memorialize and honor Private Joe Gandara, a Santa Monica native who was fatally
wounded by enemy fire in World War II at the age of 20. Although hailed a war hero, he
was passed over for awards and medals at the time of his death due to his Hispanic
heritage. In March 2014, Private Joe Gandara was posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor by President Obama in recognition of his heroism and valor.
niece, Miriam Adams, has formally expressed her support for naming Buffer Park in
honor of her uncle (see Attachment I). As an alternative to Gandara Park, the
Recreation and Parks Commission recommended considering the name Heroes Park to
honor all Santa Monica military service-members, war heroes, and veterans with the
possibility of certain areas of the park being named in honor of individuals (e.g. Private
Gandara and George Ishihara).
On January 26, 2016, Council considered the Recre
name recommendations for Buffer Park on January 26, 2016 (Attachment J) and noted
that public comment provided at the meeting and written correspondence received prior
to the meeting were primarily divided between two names: Gandara Park and George
Ishihara Memorial Park. Based on the close proximity of Buffer Park to Stewart Street
Park, Councilmembers discussed the possibility of naming Buffer Park in honor of
George Ishihara and renaming Stewart Street Park in honor of Private Gandara. Since
the renaming of Stewart Street Park was not noticed on the January 26, 2016 meeting
agenda, Council deferred selecting a name for Buffer Park and directed staff to return to
the Recreation and Parks Commission for a public hearing to consider the
renaming Stewart Street Park (Attachment K).
considered options for naming Buffer Park and also considered renaming Stewart Street
Park (Attachment L). Following public input and a thorough discussion, the Commission
approved a motion to recommend Gandara Park as the official name for Buffer Park for
Council consideration and to maintain the existing name of Stewart Street Park. The
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Commission also recommended Heroes Park and Citizens Park as alternative names
for Buffer Park for Council to consider. In adopting this motion, Commissioners
expressed that these alternative names would be to honor all community heroes rather
than a single person.
Alternatives
Council could select a name for Buffer Park that is different from those recommended
by the Recreation and Parks Commission and could decide to rename Stewart Street
Park with a name selection of their choosing.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By:
Melissa Spagnuolo, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. July 9, 2002 Council Staff Report (Web Link)
B. Summary of Naming Guidelines
C. Special Ordinance #127 (Street Series)
D. John P. Jones Wikipedia Entry
E. Santa Monica Blue Book Excerpt (1941)
F. Buffer Park Naming Survey Results
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G. Additional Background on Suggested Names
H. November 20, 2014 RPC Agenda and Staff Report (Web Link)
I. October 27, 2015 Email/Letter of Support from Miriam Adams
J. January 26, 2016 Council Meeting Staff Report (Web Link)
K. January 26, 2016 Council Meeting Minutes (Web Link)
L. March 17, 2016 RPC Agenda and Staff Report (Web Link)
M. Written comments
N. Powerpoint
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AttachmentB
Summary of Naming
Guidelines
Adopted July 9, 2002
In naming public land andbuildings, the City Council and its advisory bodies shall consider the
following:
Incorporating “Santa Monica” in the name where it is important for civic or other reasons
for a building or facility to be identified with the City;
Recognizing geographic, topographic or historical features or events associated with
Santa Monica;
Commemorating persons who have served the City in an exceptional manner;
Commemorating persons who have served the state, nation, or world in an exceptional
manner and who have an association with the City;
Commemorating persons who have served the state, nation, or world in an exceptional
or distinguished manner where the contribution is of such major significance that a local
association pales in importance;
Commemorating individuals or organizations who have made important donations of
land, funds or materials, equipment and/or facilities; and
Avoiding recognition of those whose contribution has been appropriately recognized in
other city venues or by other means.
The City Council will not name any buildings, land or facilities after current office holders.
AttachmentC
AttachmentD
AttachmentE
AttachmentF
SurveyResults
Name suggestions:Name suggestions (cont.):
A la Fresco ParkHappy Park
Abundance ParkHideAway Park
Arcadia ParkHobo Junction East
Arcadia ParkHope Park
Back Yard, TheHub Park
Barrio ParkJapanese American Memorial Park
Bergamot ParkJay Adams
Blossom ParkLeaf Park
Bosque Park (2)Learning Gardens, The
Branches ParkLittle Park
Breeze Path ParkMenagerie Park
Buffer Park (2)Nachochan Park
Cecilito ParkNature Gardens, The
Celo ParkNature Park (2)
ColibríNeighbors Park
Conrad ParkNew Life Park (2)
Cookies and Cupcake (2)Nisei Park (3)
Creative ParkOasis Park
East Edge ParkOasis, The
East ParkO'conner Park
Eco ParkOscar de la Torre Park
Eden Pacific Electric Park
Edge ParkPacific Gateway Park
Encounter ParkParque de los Amigos
Expo Park (3)Paseo Verde
Expo Trail ParkPavilion Park
Exposition Park (4)Peace Gardens, The
Exposition Park WestPeace Park
Flow ParkPeace Square, The
Freedom ParkPebblePark
Friends & Family ParkPeople's Park (4)
Friendship ParkPermaculture Park
Gardens, ThePocket Park
George Ishihara Memorial Park (6)Quarter Mile Park (2)
George Whitefield ParkRelaxation Gardens, The
Great Pacific ParkRenaissance Park
Green Gardens, TheReverie Park
Green Meadow ParkSanta Monica Park (5)
Green Path ParkSerenity Park
Green Strip ParkSerra Park
Hachi Park (3)Sky Park
Attachment C
Survey Results (cont.)
Name suggestions (cont.):
So Cal Park
Stroll, The
Superior Park
Thickest
Too close to the building park
Too damn close to the sidewalk
park
Toypurina Park (16)
Vida Park (3)
Walking Together Park
Vida Park (3)
Walking Together Park
Note: Names suggested more than once are denoted with the total number of submissions in
parentheses.
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AttachmentG
Supplemental Information forthe Most CommonlySuggested Namesfor BufferPark
Toypurina Park (16submissions)
Toypurina (1760-1799) was a Tongva/Gabrieliño Native American medicine woman who
opposed the rule of colonizationby Spanish missionaries in California, and ledanunsuccessful
rebellionagainst them. (Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toypurina)
Toypurinaand the San Gabriel Mission,1785
Fewdetails survive about the life of theGabrielino medicine woman Toypurina, but she is
undoubtedly best remembered for her direct involvement in a planned revolt against Spanish
colonial rule in 1785. Born into the Kumivit tribe of Southern California from the area around
Mission San Gabriel, Toypurina’s tribe became known as the Gabrielino (today, their
descendants also refer to themselvesas theTongva people) after Spanish contact in the late
eighteenth century. Franciscan missionariesat the time had founded more than twenty missions
from SanDiego to Sonoma between1769and1823. These missions encroachedon the lands
of numerous tribal nations in the area, exploited the labor of their people,and proselytized for
their conversion to theRoman CatholicFaith. From theperspective of the colonists, these
missions were ito act as a chain of defense around the Spanish empire in thenorth.
ntended
It was in this context that Mission San Gabriel wasestablished,near thebanks of the Río
Hondoon the southern edge of the San Gabriel Valley in September 1771. The mission
remainedat its original siteforhalf a decade, until May 1775, when it was moved several miles
north to its present site, which is locatedon Gabrielino land.Historiansestimate that in 1770,
the Gabrielinonumbered about five thousand,and their territory encompassedabout 1,500
square miles of theLos Angeles Basin. This land included the watersheds of theLos Angeles,
San Gabriel, Santa Ana, and Río Hondorivers, and it extended west to the islands off present-
dayLos Angeles. Within that territory were more than fifty independentand competing
communities, whose populations rangedfrom50 to150.By the time Toypurinabecame
involved in the rebellionagainst the Mission in 1785, themissionariesat San Gabrielhad
baptized well over 1,200 Indians, counting approximately843 Gabrielinos among these
baptisms.
In an effort to protect the self-sufficiency of their communities, retain their tribal cultures, and
uphold their religious practicesandbeliefs, many Native people at this time hadlongbeen
actively resisting the imposed Spanish rule and attempts atacculturation. Toypurina emerged
asonesuch individual. InOctober1785,she joined a group of Gabrielinoneophytes from
MissionSanGabriel intheir plotagainst themission. Most prominent amongtheinstigators of
this rebellion was the discontentedneophyte NicolásJosé, whonotonlyinitiated talk of the plan
amongother Gabrielinos inside the Mission,but also rallied key individuals, including Toypurina,
from as manyas eight Indian villages in the surrounding area.
Historianshave concluded that their plan was provoked in thefinal instance when Spanish
officials forbade the practice of traditionaldances. Up until this point, the Padreshadshown
some degree of leniency, permitting a number of Indians to maintain their roles in traditional
ceremonies.José in particular is saidto have been accustomedtoliving in ways that allowed
him to equally balancecommitments in both of his cultural worlds. The authoritariandecision to
suddenly ban all traditionaldances among the Mission Indians was thus the latest in a long
string of ongoingaffronts and atrocities (violence, rapes, forced religiousconversions,and slave
labor)committedagainsttheGabrielinossincethebeginningoftheSpanishinvasion.Joséand
hisalliesthereforeset outtodestroytheSanGabriel Mission.
Toypurina’s supportofthis effortis believedto have been crucial,dueto herextraordinary
powersasamedicinewoman.Itwasintendedthatshewoulduseherdivineinfluence to
immobilizetheCatholicpriestsduringtherevolt,whilehermalecounterpartswouldeliminate
theSpanishsoldiers. OnthenightofOctober25th,1785,Toypurinaandtheotherinsurgents
attackedthemissionasplanned,butunbeknownsttothem,acorporaloftheguardhadbeen
informedoftherevoltaheadof time, allowing theSpanish tomount anambush. When
Toypurinaarrived, she andseveral otherswerearrested.Spanish officialsheldatrial,
sentencingfivepeopletotwenty-fivelashes,andanothertwelvetoreceivefifteen ortwenty
lashes.Ratherthantortureorkilltheoffendersbehindcloseddoors,thesefloggingswere
carriedoutinpublic,sotheentiremissionpopulationwouldseetheconsequencesoftherebels’
actions.
Likewise,theSpanishofficialsfoundToypurina,José,andtwoothermen (Temejasaquichíand
Alijivit)guiltyofleadingtheattack.Aspunishment,ToypurinawasexiledfromMissionSan
Gabrielafterbeingheldthereasaprisonerforthedurationofhertrial,andinwhichtimeshe
wasalsobaptizedintotheCatholicFaith.Shewassenttoliveoutherlifefurthernorth,first
atMissionSanCarlosBorromeo,locatednearMontereyinpresent-dayCarmel.There,she
remarried, toaSpanishsoldier namedManuel Montera. Between1789 (theyear of their
marriage)and1794,ToypurinaandMonterahadthree children:Cesario,Juana deDios
Montero,andMariaClementina. In1799, ToypurinapassedawayatMissionSanJuanBautista,
andwasburiedthere.
(Source:SouthElMonteArtsPosse;TropicsofMeta,
http://tropicsofmeta.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/toypurina-a-legend-etched-in-the-landscape)
ExpositionPark(orsimilarvariation;10submissions)
Buffer Parkwill beconstructedonExpositionBoulevard.Staffrecommendsagainstconsidering
thissuggestionasawell-knownparkcurrentlyexistsbythisnameintheCityofLosAngeles.
GeorgeIshiharaMemorial Park(orsimilarvariation; 6submissions)
GeorgeIshiharawasbornonFebruary22,1921anddiedathishomeinSantaMonicaon
March17,2009.Mr.IshiharawasaJapanese-AmericanwhogrewupinWashingtonand
NorthernCalifornia,and relocatedtoSantaMonica’sPicoNeighborhoodin1958.Heenlistedin
theUnitedStatesArmyandservedinWorldWarIIinthemostdecoratedunit,the442nd
RegimentalCombatTeam,and alsowaspartofthe522ndFieldArtilleryBattalionthatliberated
theJewishpeoplefromtheDachauGermany InternmentCampandothersurroundingcamps.
DuringWorldWarII,Mr.Ishihara’sfamilywasinternedintworelocationcamps.Givenhis
enlistmentintheUSArmy,hewasabletonegotiatehisfamily beingreunitedintheMinidoka
RelocationCamp.Mr.Ishihara’sdaughtercurrentlylivesinthePicoNeighborhoodwithher
family.
TheJapanese-American peopleplayedasignificantroleinthehistory ofWestLosAngelesand
inSantaMonica,firstasfarmersandthenashomeownersinthearea.Manyweredisplaced
fromtheneighborhoodwhenInterstate10wasconstructed.
(Source:ChristelAndersen,PicoNeighborhoodresident)
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SantaMonicaPark(5submissions) andPeople’sPark(4submissions)
Thesenameswerealsosuggestedfor whatisnowknownasTongvaPark.
HachiPark(3submissions)
Hachireferstoa Japanesedogknownforhisloyaltytohisowner.In 1924, HidesaburUeno,a
professorintheagriculturedepartmentattheUniversityofTokyo,tookinHachikagolden
brownAkita,asapet.Duringhisowner'slife,Hachikgreetedhimattheendofeachdayatthe
nearbyShibuyaStation.ThepaircontinuedtheirdailyroutineuntilMay1925,whenProfessor
Uenodidnot return. The professor hadsuffereda cerebral hemorrhageanddied, never
returningtothetrainstationwhereHachikwaswaiting.Eachday forthenextnineyears
HachikawaitedUeno'sreturn, appearingpreciselywhenthetrainwasdueat thestation.
Hachikattractedtheattentionofothercommuters.Manyofthe peoplewhofrequentedthe
ShibuyatrainstationhadseenHachikandProfessorUenotogethereach day.Initialreactions
fromthepeople,especiallyfromthoseworkingatthe station,werenotnecessarilyfriendly.
However,afterthefirstappearanceofthearticleabout himonOctober 4,1932inAsahi
Shimbun,peoplestartedtobringHachiktreatsandfoodtonourishhimduringhiswait.
In1932oneofUeno'sstudents(whodevelopedexpertiseontheAkitabreed)sawthedogat
thestationandfollowedhimtotheKobayashihome(thehomeoftheformergardener of
ProfessorUeno—KikuzaboroKobayashi)wherehelearnedthe historyofHachik'slife.Shortly
afterthismeeting,theformerstudentpublished adocumentedcensusofAkitasinJapan.His
researchfoundonly30purebredAkitasremaining,includingHachikfromShibuyaStation.
HereturnedfrequentlytovisitHachikand overtheyearspublishedseveralarticlesaboutthe
dog'sremarkableloyalty.In1932oneofthesearticles,publishedintheTokyoAsahiShimbun,
placedthedoginthenationalspotlight.Hachikbecameanationalsensation.Hisfaithfulness
tohismaster'smemoryimpressedthepeopleofJapanasaspiritoffamilyloyaltyallshould
strivetoachieve.TeachersandparentsusedHachik'svigilasanexampleforchildrento
follow.Awell-knownJapaneseartistrenderedasculptureofthedog,andthroughoutthe
countryanewawarenessoftheAkitabreedgrew.
Eventually,Hachik'slegendaryfaithfulnessbecameanationalsymbolofloyalty,particularlyto
thepersonandinstitutionoftheEmperor.
(Source:Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D)
NiseiPark(3submissions)
“Nisei”referstothegenerationofJapaneseAmericansthatwereinternedduringWorldWarII,
andmorespecificallyreferstoJapaneseAmericanswhoseparentswereimmigrantsfrom
Japan. ThePicoNeighborhoodhasbeenhometopeoplewhoidentifyasNisei.
VidaPark(3submissions)
VidaistheSpanishtermfor “life.”
Gandara Park (added by the Recreation and Parks Commission)
Medal of Honor recipient Joe Gandara was born in Santa Monica, Calif., April 25, 1924.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in between 1942-1943.
Gandara is being recognized for his heroic actions on June 9, 1944, in Amfreville, France. His
detachment came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to
3
the ground for a period of four hours. Gandara advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy
position and destroyed three hostile machine-guns before he was fatally wounded.
Gandara received the Medal of Honor, March 18, 2014; Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army
Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze
Service Star and Bronze Arrowhead Device, Presidential Unit Citation, French Fourragere,
Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutist Badge-Basic with one Bronze Service Star.
(Source:United StatesArmy,
http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/recipients/gandara/?=recipient_list
)
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AttachmentI
From:Miriam Adams
Sent:Tuesday, October 27, 2015 7:22 PM
To:Martin Pastucha
Subject:Private Joe Gandara / Buffer Park
Dear Martin,
I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me last week and listen to my concerns regarding the
upcoming 26th St. Expo station dedication.
Secondly, I would like to say that it would be an honor to have Buffer Park named after my uncle, Private Joe
Gandara. Please consider this note as formal acceptance of that honor.
In closing, I want to send my heartfelt thanks once again to City officials, staff and community members who
have given and continue to give their support towards Private Joe Gandara and our family. My desire is that the
story of my uncle will continue to be an example of service, sacrifice and inspiration not just to the Pico
neighborhood, but to the City, our State, and our nation as well.
With gratitude,
Miriam Adams, niece of Private Joe Gandara , Santa Monica native, WWII Veteran, Medal of Honor recipient.
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04/26/2016
Anne Samartha
From:Community & Cultural Services
Sent:Tuesday, March 29, 2016 10:31 AM
To:Karen Ginsberg; Melissa Spagnuolo
Subject:FW: Renaming Buffer Park Ishiwara Park
FYI...
OriginalMessage
From:DeniseBachman\[mailto:bachmandenise@gmail.com\]
Sent:Tuesday,March29,20169:55AM
To:Community&CulturalServices<CCS.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Cc:SantaMonicaMirror<rory@smmirror.com>
Subject:RenamingBufferParkIshiwaraPark
IfullyagreewithalltheargumentsputforwardsupportingchangingthenameofBufferParktoIshiwaraPark.
OurJapaneseAmericancitizensweretreatedshamefullyduringtheSecondWorldWar,particularlyinCaliforniawhere
theywereunlawfullyimprisonedinconcentrationcampsandhadtheirhardearnedpossessionsstolenfromthem,lost
theirhomes,andwerebrandedwithashametheydidnotdeserveassecondclasscitizens.
Thistypeofinjusticehasawayofpersistingdownthroughgenerations.Itissoveryimportantthatcivicinstitutionsdo
whatevertheycantorecognizethepositivecontributionsmadebyeverydaycitizenslikeMr.Ishiwaratothebenefitof
allofuswholiveinthiscommunity.Theyarewhatmakeslivingherespecial,farbeyondbeachesandparks.
Let'spleasenameBufferParkIshiwaraParkto,insomesmallway,recognizethecontributionsmadebytheentire
Japanesecommunitytothebettermentofallofushere,tosaythankyou,andmakesomeattempttorepairthe
divisivenessthatsoofteninterfereswithunitingusasavillageinthislargerworld.
Wehaveachanceheretomakeasmallgesturetorightalongenduredinjustice.Let'snotlosethisopportunitytobe
ure,thatsoenrichesourexperience.Thankyou."
inclusive,tosay"Youareus.Wearegratefulforyouandforyourcult
DeniseMcCannBachman
26thst,SantaMonica,90405
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Vernice Hankins
From:Jack Fujimoto <fujimoto.jack@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, April 23, 2016 6:50 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Cc:Ted Winterer; Sue Himmelrich; tony.vasquez@smgov.net; Gleam Davis; Pam OConnor;
Terry OÔDay; Kevin McKeown Fwd
Subject:Renaming Buffer Park
In your considering the renaming of Buffer Park, I support it being named "Ishihara Park."
George Ishihara served in the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team that was highly decorated with 21
Congressional Medal honorees recently. Having served in the US Army myself, I had the highest regard for
George Ishihara.
I believe that the City of Santa Monica would also demonstrate its recognition of the many contributions of
Japanese Americans to the Santa Monica community.
Over a hundred years ago, commercial Japanese fisherman lived and fished off of the coast in Santa
Monica. Later, that group moved to what became known as Terminal Island in San Pedro. This was described
in a book by George Matsumoto.
Personally, being connected to the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle in several capacities as President, Advisor and
Senior Leader, I worked with the Santa Monica Nikkeijin Kai, the community of Japanese Americans living
near Buffer Park. George Ishihara was one of those whom I contacted in working with the Santa Monica
Japanese American community.
The Sawtelle Japantown community has appreciated the memorial day ceremony held at the perpetual
monument at your Woodlawn Cemetery. We have participated in this event for at least 50 years that I can
recall.
I support your effort to rename the park and further, support its renaming as "Ishihara Park."
Jack Fujimoto, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor, Japanese Institute of Sawtelle
Emeritus President, Los Angeles Community Colleges
Author, Sawtelle: West Los Angeles' Japantown
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Vernice Hankins
From:Christhild Andersen <christhildandersen@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, April 25, 2016 2:35 PM
To:Ted Winterer; Terry OÔDay; Pam OConnor; Gleam Davis; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Tony
Vazquez; Sue Himmelrich; councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox; Rick Cole
Subject:Fw: Adgenta Item 8 B Naming of Buffer Park
Just to remind you I am resending information on naming Buffer Park Ishihara Park. I do not mind renaming of Stewart Park to
Gandara Park.
I do mind that Gandara" nieces Email is part of the staff report and all my emails fell under the table! ! ! !
Ms. Christel Andersen
Email: Christhildandersen@yahoo.com
On Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:40 AM, Christhild Andersen <christhildandersen@yahoo.com> wrote:
To the Recreation and Park Commissioners for Agenda Item B
Ms. Christel Andersen
Email: Christhildandersen@yahoo.com
On Friday, January 22, 2016 11:04 AM, Christhild Andersen <christhildandersen@yahoo.com> wrote:
TotheCityCouncilinregardsofnamingtheBufferPark,
AsyouallknowtheparkWestofCityHallwasnamedafterNativeAmerican.InthesurveyfornamingBuffer
ParkToypurinaParkgotthehighestvoteanditisthenameofaNativeAmericanWoman.Howeverother
CommunityGroupsshouldgetequalrecognition.IshiharaParkgotsixvotes,HachiParkreceivedthree,Nisei
ParkgotthreeandJapaneseAmericanMemorialParkone.Withthirteenvotestheintendofhavinga
JapaneserelatednameforBufferParkisverystrong.ThehighestconcentrationofJapaneseAmerican
residentsisadjoiningtoBufferPark.JapaneseAmericanwereinternedduringWWIIandtheheroicbraveryof
youngJapanesemenlikeGeorgeIshiharatovolunteerfortheAmericanArmydespiteoftheirfamiliesbeing
internedshouldbehonored.JapaneseAmericanwhilebeinginternedoftenlosttheirlivelihood,land,
houses,andwerelookeddownupon,evensotheywerehonorablecitizensTheAmericanGovernmenttried
todosomerestorationsbyrecentlyapologizing.JapaneseAmericanscontributedtothewellbeingofSanta
Monicaforoverahundredyears.ItishightimetogivetheJapaneseAmericanCommunityinSantaMonica
somerecognition.GeorgeIshiharalivedaboutablockawayfromBufferPark.Inhislateryearshewasa
gardeneraroundSantaMonicaandwellregardedintheJapaneseAmericanCommunityandhis
neighborhood.
ItwastheresidentswholiveadjoiningtotheRailMaintenanceYardwhofoughtfortheBufferParktolower
theimpactofthe24hr.365plusdaysayearoperationoftheYard.Thereisstrongsupportfornamingthe
parkaftertheirformerresidentGeorgeIshihara,asIcollectedsignatureswhichIwillpresenttoyou.
CouncilMemberspleasehonortheJapaneseAmericanContributionstothecityandvoteforIshiharaParkas
thenameforBufferPark.
ChristelAndersen
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Ms. Christel Andersen
Email: Christhildandersen@yahoo.com
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04/26/2016
Anne Samartha
From:Christhild Andersen <christhildandersen@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, April 25, 2016 4:59 PM
To:Ted Winterer; Terry OÔDay; Gleam Davis; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Tony Vazquez; Sue
Himmelrich; Pam OConnor; councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda 8 B Naming of Buffer Park and possible Renaming of Stewart Park
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I hope you got my previous emails and are kind enough to reread them. In another previous email I told you that I collected signatures
of residents living next to Buffer Park who are in favor of Ishihara Park. The copies of the 65 signatures among them 14 Japanese
American resident I sent you in an email when the subject was for debate before. We are the residents who have to live with the noise
of the Maintenance Yard and the level crossing on Stewart, which gets the most rail traffic as it is entrance and exit to the maintenance
yard as well as the regular line traffic. The Expo has to do a last Environmental Impact Report and I requested a set up of noise
monitors in front of Exposition residents to measure the noise 24 hrs. for one week to give a realistic impact. It would be good if you
requested that report. I also heard a plan of Metro that they might have the train run from 4 am in the morning to 2 am the next morning
and not as previously told from 5 am to 1 am. As the trains have to leave the Maintenance Yard to reach Downtown LA Station on time
about 50 minutes earlier the testing of horns, bells and whistles etc. will be at 3:10 am. Which is inhumane to the residents as there is
barely an hour at night when there are no horns bells or whistles from trains or the rail crossing on Stewart not to mention if the
maintaining of the trains at night makes noise.. Please consider the impact if you would be living there.
I have not heard anybody objecting to renaming Stewart Park to Gandara Park. I am in favor of it.
I think I gave you more than enough reasons to name Buffer Park Ishihara Park. I also wrote letters to the Editor of Santa Monica Daily
Press and the Mirror about Naming of Buffer Park and they got published (March 23rd-16 and before).
All the supporters of Ishihara Park hope that you decide in their favor. The Pico Neighborhood Association also supported Ishihara
Park. Please do not disappoint us again.
Best regards,
Christel Andersen
Ms. Christel Andersen
Email: Christhildandersen@yahoo.com
1
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04/26/2016
Anne Samartha
From:Anne Deasey
Sent:Tuesday, April 26, 2016 1:00 PM
To:Vernice Hankins; Clerk Mailbox
Subject:FW: Item 8B Add-Tos
Attachments:Item 8B - Juan Jose Carillo.pdf; Item 8B - Samohi Japanese students article.pdf
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Hello,
TheChairoftheRecreation&ParksCommissionbroughttheattachedarticlestotheirrecentRecreation&Parks
Commissiononthesubject,andhewouldlikethemaddedtothepacketforthisevening.
Thankyou,
Anne
AnneDeasey
Community&CulturalServices
1685MainSt.,Room210
SantaMonicaCA90401
3104588310
1
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
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04/26/2016
Anne Samartha
From:Anne Deasey
Sent:Tuesday, April 26, 2016 1:01 PM
To:Vernice Hankins; Clerk Mailbox
Subject:FW: Renaming Buffer Park Ishiwara Park - Item 8B
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Hello,
ThereisanotheremailregardingItem8Bthisevening...
OriginalMessage
From:DeniseBachman\[mailto:bachmandenise@gmail.com\]
Sent:Tuesday,March29,20169:55AM
To:Community&CulturalServices<CCS.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Cc:SantaMonicaMirror<rory@smmirror.com>
Subject:RenamingBufferParkIshiwaraPark
IfullyagreewithalltheargumentsputforwardsupportingchangingthenameofBufferParktoIshiwaraPark.
OurJapaneseAmericancitizensweretreatedshamefullyduringtheSecondWorldWar,particularlyinCaliforniawhere
theywereunlawfullyimprisonedinconcentrationcampsandhadtheirhardearnedpossessionsstolenfromthem,lost
theirhomes,andwerebrandedwithashametheydidnotdeserveassecondclasscitizens.
Thistypeofinjusticehasawayofpersistingdownthroughgenerations.Itissoveryimportantthatcivicinstitutionsdo
whatevertheycantorecognizethepositivecontributionsmadebyeverydaycitizenslikeMr.Ishiwaratothebenefitof
mmunity.Theyarewhatmakeslivingherespecial,farbeyondbeachesandparks.
allofuswholiveinthisco
Let'spleasenameBufferParkIshiwaraParkto,insomesmallway,recognizethecontributionsmadebytheentire
Japanesecommunitytothebettermentofallofushere,tosaythankyou,andmakesomeattempttorepairthe
divisivenessthatsoofteninterfereswithunitingusasavillageinthislargerworld.
Wehaveachanceheretomakeasmallgesturetorightalongenduredinjustice.Let'snotlosethisopportunitytobe
inclusive,tosay"Youareus.Wearegratefulforyouandforyourculture,thatsoenrichesourexperience.Thankyou."
DeniseMcCannBachman
26thst,SantaMonica,90405
1
CITYCOUNCIL
APRIL26,2016
BufferPark
2.35acreparktobeconstructedonExpositionBoulevard
betweenDorchesterAvenueandStewartStreet.
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
OutreachResults
135totalnamesuggestions
Hachi
Nisei
Vida
People'sPark
SantaMonica
Ishihara
Exposition
Toypurina
Allothers
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
Recreation&ParksCommissionAction(2014)
TheRecreation&ParksCommissionadoptedamotionon
November20,2014recommendingCouncilconsider:
DğƓķğƩğtğƩƉ
•
IĻƩƚĻƭtğƩƉ
•
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
PreviousCityCouncilAction
ConsideredRPCnamerecommendationsforBufferParkon
•
January26,2016
Notedpubliccommentwasprimarilydividedbetweentwo
•
names:GandaraParkandGeorgeIshiharaPark
DiscussedthepossibilityofnamingBufferParkinhonorof
•
GeorgeIshiharaandrenamingStewartStreetParkinhonorof
PrivateGandara
DeferreddecisionanddirectedstafftoreturntoRPCforafull
•
publicreviewprocess
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
StewartStreetPark
3.8acreparklocatedat1819StewartSt.
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
RecentRecreation&ParksCommissionAction
ConsiderednamerecommendationsforBufferParkand
•
renamingStewartStreetParkonMarch17,2016
Adoptedamotionrecommending:
•
CouncilConsider DğƓķğƩğtğƩƉ astheofficialnamefor
•
BufferPark
AlternativeNames:IĻƩƚĻƭtğƩƉ or/źƷźǩĻƓƭtğƩƉ
MaintaintheexistingnameofStewartStreetPark
•
CITYOFSANTAMONICA|PARKNAMING|APRIL26,2016
RecommendedAction
SelectGandaraParkastheofficialnameforBufferPark
•
MaintaintheexistingnameofStewartStreetPark
•