Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has approved a new name for the park located at 700 S Cloverdale St. in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. The park, formerly known as César Chávez Park, will now be named Parque Libertad.
SPR began the renaming process following reports of allegations of sexual abuse against César Chávez. As part of that process, SPR invited community members to submit potential names that reflected the park, neighborhood, and surrounding community.
The new name was selected following a community naming process that invited members of the public to submit suggestions for consideration by the Parks Naming Committee.
“The new name, Parque Libertad, was recommended by the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioner’s Park Naming Committee, and I am pleased to support their recommendation and appreciate their commitment to SPR and the communities they serve”, said Seattle Parks and Recreation Interim Superintendent Michele Finnegan. “In addition, given that this land is owned by King County and operated under an agreement by SPR, the County has also provided support for this name change. Libertad (“freedom”) is a universal value that reflects the enduring pursuit of civil rights, equality, and opportunity for all. Parque Libertad honors the many individuals and communities who have advanced justice throughout Seattle’s history while creating a welcoming, inclusive place that celebrates freedom, belonging, and civic participation for future generations”
“The community-chosen name of Parque Libertad sends a message of utmost importance: Freedom. Freedom to be safe, respected, seen, and included,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, whose district includes South Park. “That is how everyone should feel in King County, and it is our highest responsibility to ensure our public spaces embody these values. Thank you to Councilmember Rinck, Seattle Parks and Recreation, King County WTD, and the South Park community for your partnership and swift action to right this wrong and bring forward a name that reflects the strength and resilience of the farmworker’s movement and leaders like Dolores Huerta, who are showing us what the fight for freedom looks like.”
“Renaming a historic place is not simply about changing signage, and it’s not an attempt to cover up the failings of the past by individuals we once looked up to as heroes, “said Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka, whose district also includes South Park. “Community members have chosen a new name that places the focus where it should be. We celebrate today’s civic vision and community values and the lessons we have learned over time from the historic movements led by those sometimes-flawed individuals.”
The Parks Naming Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners, reviewed community submissions using criteria established in the City’s Park Naming Policy. The committee then provided a naming recommendation to the SPR Superintendent, who has final authority over park naming decisions.
Criteria considered in naming parks include geographic location, historical or cultural significance, park elements and natural geological features.
Community input played an important role throughout the renaming process and helped guide the selection of Parque Libertad.
For more information about Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Park Naming Policy, visit Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Planning and Policy Library.