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Request by Emerson East Neighborhood Association to rename Pennsylvania Park to Emerson East Park.
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Going back to at least 2016, the Emerson East neighborhood has discussed revitalizing Pennsylvania Park. The neighborhood plan process and opportunity to expand greenspace by removing a vacant house at the corner of First and East Johnson Streets drew attention to the park, which many neighbors previously referred to as “No Name Park.”
The Emerson East Neighborhood Association (EENA) helped facilitate many discussions of the park, including the name. After brainstorming name alternatives in early 2017, EENA put out an online poll for neighbors to vote for their favorite names. The poll, circulated via EENA email lists, Nextdoor and EENA’s Facebook page. The poll received 183 responses, with the top choices being Emerson East Park (75 votes), Clyde Stubblefield Park (65 votes), and Milton McPike Park (49 votes). Keeping the Pennsylvania Park name received 36 votes.
At the February 2019 EENA meeting, changing the name to Emerson East Park was formally moved and unanimously supported.