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Home My WebLink AboutRes 2024-04-1609 Naming of Hassie Lawrence Morgan ParkCITY OF ANNA, TEXAS RESOLUTION NO. zo 2 4 - 04 - 1 to a Ci A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS NAMING A PARK LOCATED AT 3031 County Road 422 "HASSIE LAWRENCE MORGAN PARK" WHEREAS, the Parks Advisory Board reviewed and unanimously recommended to the City Council naming the new park for an early and beloved Anna neighbor named Hassie Lawrence Morgan Park at the January 29, 2024 Parks Advisory Board meeting; and WHEREAS, the City of Anna, Texas City Council adopted a Policy and Procedure for Naming City Parks, Trails, Recreational Areas, and Other Recreation Facilities on November 10, 2020; and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Services Department followed the naming policy in researching Mrs. Morgan with support from the Anna Area Historical Preservation Society and her living descendants; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Morgan was born Hassie Katherine Lawrence on January 28, 1894; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Morgan operated a grocery store and meat market located in the current Anna downtown area near what is now 4t" Street with her husband, Eldred Morgan; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Morgan was widowed in 1936 and operated the store with her son and later married her late husband's first cousin the famed American silent film comedian, Kewpie Morgan (born Horace Allen Morgan), who performed in vaudeville, starred in silent films with Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, and many others; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Morgan was known to be a woman of strong character, determination, and grit, and it is said that she once chased someone out of her store with a meat clever for making an off -colored remark; and WHEREAS, Mr. Henry Clay "Yank" Washington, believed to be the only African American neighbor in Anna from the late 1800s through the mid-1930s, worked at the grocery and meat market, lived at the back of the store, and was cared for by Mrs. Morgan when he became unable to work late in his life. Yank was loved and respected by her whole family and the community, and a neighborhood park was named in his honor by the Anna City Council on April 13, 2021; and WHEREAS, given the historic context of the time, when Mrs. Morgan resided in Anna, was during segregation in the U.S. South before the long -overdue civil rights movement that resulted in the abolition of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation; and WHEREAS, despite enduring the harsh restrictions and inherent inequality of so-called "separate but equal" segregation rules, Mr. Washington earned the respect and affection of his neighbors in Anna; and WHEREAS, the friendship and care Mrs. Morgan exhibited with Mr. Washington gave hope for the inclusion that would eventually grow to be a principal value in our community; and WHEREAS, when Mrs. Morgan sold the store in 1940, she moved to Grand Prairie during the war and worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" with Chance Vought again exhibiting outstanding character and representing the strength, work ethic, community pride, and patriotism found in so many women during that time; and WHEREAS, the naming of park or other recreation areas are to ensure that the given names are consistent with the values and character of the area or neighborhood served and within the City as a whole; and WHEREAS, the historic naming of the park will better ensure a sense of place for all neighbors and distinguish the park as a public space. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS THAT THE PARK LOCATED AT 3031 County Road 422 "HASSIE LAWRENCE MORGAN PARK." PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Anna, Texas on this 9th day of April 2024. ATTESTED: ill114w, Carrie L. Land, City Secretary * *t ike, Mayor #, A MMT I •�I, • •:I,IuS + y k � ..� V�IIIlIS I11.4 "Pi Yd � 11 I 1fe -• k YI I ` L �,•, �-. f'" I;.•�r. kliiillluu ►, e _ t �'}li►�Ifl illllliui111i11� t �� ' _ + I � ,.r I'WVIP„ C I:I Ali ' + + I 4,u11 $.I L1�111i I Ay111117 Jt• Y RESOLUTION NO.,IaQ•-11--%CA A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS APPROVING A POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR NAMING CITY PARKS, TRAILS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WHEREAS, the City has in the past adopted policies related to public parks and other recreational facilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Anna Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has investigated and determined that the policy and procedures substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Naming Policy") provides for a functional and beneficial manner for naming city parks, trails, recreational areas, and other recreational facilities; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Anna, Texas has investigated and determined that adoption of the Naming Policy will be of benefit to the City and its citizens; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1. Recitals Incorporated The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein for all purposes as set forth in full. SECTION 2. Approval of Project and Agreement The City Council of the City of Anna, Texas hereby approves and adopts the Naming Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A as guidelines for the naming of city parks, trails, recreational areas, and other recreational facilities. CONSIDERED, PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Anna at a regular meeting on the 10th day of November 2020. �.OF A .,......:. ti 'OPPROVED: ' G • • * -late Pike, Mayor ATTEST: f�'% * ��'••......•': ?N,� Carrie L. Land, City Secretary Exhibit "A" City of Anna Policy and Procedure for Naming City Parks, Trails, Recreational Areas and Other Recreational Facilities Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to establish a systematic and consistent approach for the official naming of parks, trails, recreational areas, and other recreational facilities owned and/or operated by the City of Anna. Obiectives: The objectives of this policy are to: • Provide name identification for individual parks or other recreation areas within the City of Anna to ensure that they are easily located and to provide a sense of place; • Provide criteria and procedure for naming parks or other recreation areas to ensure that given names are consistent with the values and character of the area or neighborhood served and within the City as a whole; • Assure the quality of the chosen title/name, so that it will serve the purpose of the City in a permanent manner; and • Provide opportunities for public participation and input to fully represent the best interest of the community in the naming and dedication of parks and other recreation areas. Definitions: The umbrella of parks, trails, recreational areas, and other recreational facilities includes all property assets under the City's ownership and the Neighborhood Services Department's control including buildings, structures, open spaces, public parks, natural areas, and other environmental lands and habitats. Naming Criteria: The following criteria may be used in determining the appropriateness of the naming designation: a. Geographic location (such as neighborhood, street name, etc.) b. Nearby natural and physical characteristics of the land c. Historical or cultural significance d. Persons of outstanding civic service to the city e. Documented community support f. Events hosted in the area g. Relevant concepts or ideas h. Organizations providing community service in the area i. Significant material contributions 19 i 61 j. Significant financial contributions Naming Procedure: The following process shall be followed in naming parks or other recreation areas: 1. City residents, staff, community leaders, and community organizations interested in proposing a name for a park or other recreational area shall submit a written recommendation to the Neighborhood Services Director. Recommendations need to describe in detail why the submitted name merits designation. 2. A variety of means to encourage public participation to submit a name may be implemented by the Neighborhood Services Department such as city website advertisement, public notices sent to community. members in proximity of recreational area, and more. The means to submit a written recommendation, no matter the specifics of the medium, will be available through the City website and at City Hall. 3. The Neighborhood Services Department shall research and verify information on names provided in the recommendations. The Neighborhood Services Director will forward naming recommendations that meet the naming criteria to the Parks Advisory Board. 4. The Parks Advisory Board shall consider all requests that meet the criteria and submit a formal recommendation for names deemed worthy of consideration to the Mayor and the City Council. 5. The City Council will confmn park, trail, recreational area, and other recreational facility names by resolution. 6. The City Council has final approval and may reject any naming or renaming request. 7. The City Council may name or rename without following these procedures. 8. The process of naming new facilities shall normally be done before construction begins. Renaming: The intent of naming is for permanent recognition; the renaming of parks and other recreational areas within the City of Anna is generally discouraged. Though, the City understands that renaming parks and other recreational areas may be necessary to create more cohesiveness throughout the City or to update past names that have become irrelevant or dishonorable. It is recommended that efforts to change a name become subject to crucial examinations so as not to diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value of prior contributors. Renaming a park or other recreational area will follow the same procedure stated above. -q 10