Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Recommending the renaming of Franklin Field to Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Park.
Body
Preamble
The property known as Franklin Field was acquired in various parcels between 1905 and 1941. None of the prior owners was named Franklin and it is believed that the park was named Franklin Field because of its proximity to Franklin School. This area park contains a playfield with two lighted softball fields and a soccer field.
A citywide process was begun with the establishment of the Ad Hoc Swimming Pool Committee in the Madison 2003 budget that provided $10,000 for planning on how to provide pools for the City of Madison, including how many pools, possible locations, capital and operating cost projections, possible construction timetables, and fundraising goals and strategies.
The Committee worked with a consultant to study various locations for the first pool, plus a list of potential future locations. They also identified probable construction and operating costs, potential user groups and programs to be provided as well as possible revenue sources for pools operation and whether any subsidies might be needed to operate the facility. The location study included the collection of data for the potential service area such as number of children, household income, transportation options, traffic concerns, other swimming options available and site suitability such as soil conditions and floodplain concerns. There were also extensive public discussions to obtain input from the citizens of Madison. Following a successful Referendum to allow the inclusion of two parks along Madison's lakeshores, Franklin Field was chosen based on the rankings of technical and social data, transportation and political criteria. The Madison Community Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to assist in the planning process.
On June 24, 2004 the City of Madison received a generous donation of two million dollars from Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman to support construction of Madison's first community swimming pool in 2005.
WHEREAS, there is a strong partnership between the parks system and individuals who contribute their time and money to enhance the Madison Park System; and
WHEREAS, philanthropists Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman have generously donated an initial $2 million as well as an additional $500,000 to ensure the construction of the first municipal swimming pool at Franklin Field; and
WHEREAS, The Madison Park Commission, Superintendent of Parks and Common Council have all expressed their strong support of this first municipal swimming pool and for the generous contributions of Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman to provide this unique opportunity, and
WHEREAS, the park serves the residents of the City of Madison and Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman have a long history of service and philanthropy to the residents of the City of Madison; and
WHEREAS, Mayor David Ciesliewicz has requested that Franklin Field be renamed Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Park as a fitting memorial to Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman for their many years of service and philanthropy and in keeping with the legacy of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association; and
WHEREAS, the Park Commission has determined the request fits its policies for renaming Parks with the Madison Park System, and the Park Commission of the City of Madison at its January 12, 2005 meeting recommended renaming Franklin Field to Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Park; and
WHEREAS under Madison General Ordinance 8.28:
Naming of Parks. The assignment of names to new public parks and the reassignment of names to existing public parks shall be made by Resolution of the Common Council. The Park Commission shall notify the Common Council of the acquisition of new parkland requiring names. The Common Council may, by resolution, reassign names of parks as it deems appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the Common Council approves this recommendation and the renaming of Franklin Field to Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Park.