 | | | Photo Sophie Braccini | | | | | | This is a rare opportunity for Parks and Recreation Commissioners in Moraga: naming a new park, simply because new parks don't come along very often.
The new small "pocket park" located across Moraga Road from the skateboard park and to the east of the development along Camino Ricardo, now called Harvest Court, is the third park dedicated to the public in Moraga in the town's existence. Of course, the matter could not be resolved in one session and the commissioners thought they first needed to establish a naming process, should new public parks, trails or roads come along.
Commission Chair Jeannette Fritzky and the six commissioners seemed dubious looking at the list of possible names that had been given to them: names of individuals and families that played a role in the development of Moraga, from gold miner Windeler that settled to the east of Carr Ranch, or Russell Bruzzone, who developed a large part of the downtown, or the Briones that had four marriages with the Moragas, or Pear or Walnut for the former agricultural activity of the town.
Parks and recreation Director Jay Ingram indicated that the staff's suggestion was Dos Rios (two rivers) since two creeks converge on the park's site.
Fritzky suggested that rather than choosing a name immediately, the commission should agree on a process. Ingram noted that there was no such thing as a park naming policy and that the commission had the authority to make a recommendation to the town council.
Bob Giomi proposed that each commissioner propose five names each and open the selection to the public via an online poll. Commissioners shied away from involving the public and rather preferred asking the opinion of local groups such as the Historical Society or the Park and Hacienda Foundations.
The commissioners will each send a few names to Ingram, who will circulate them among the local groups. At their next meeting, on July 19, the commissioners will review the list and decide on the next step of their naming process.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA