CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION supporting the renaming of “International Children’s Park” to “Donnie Chin International Children’s Park.”
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WHEREAS, Donnie Chin was a community leader in the Chinatown-International District who devoted his life to making his community a better place; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, Donnie Chin had an idea to create a children’s park in the Chinatown-International District because he loved children and saw the need to create an area for them to play; and
WHEREAS, International Children’s Park was built in 1981 and is located at 700 South Lane Street in the Chinatown-International District; and
WHEREAS, Donnie Chin was instrumental in the creation of International Children’s Park and the park would not exist without his efforts; and
WHEREAS, Donnie Chin championed parks, safety, and community development in the Chinatown-International District throughout his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2015, Donnie Chin’s life was tragically and violently cut short as he was responding to reports of violence in the Chinatown-International District; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code Section 18.08.010, the final authority to name parks resides with the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Naming Policy, which provides naming criteria for the Superintendent, recommends that parks may be named for a person subject to the person being deceased for a minimum of three years, and the person having made a significant positive contribution to parks, recreation, or culture in the community without which the park may not exist, or in which the individual’s contributions enhanced a program or facility in an extraordinary way; and
WHEREAS, exceptional circumstances, such as a violent death, are an appropriate basis to expedite the naming process to commemorate a community leader and help a community heal; and
WHEREAS, commemorating the life of Donnie Chin by renaming a park within the community he treasured and served will provide a permanent memorial of his legacy; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and City Council support renaming “International Children’s Park” to “Donnie Chin International Children’s Park,” in honor of Donnie Chin and his enduring legacy of public service, community advancement, and peace.
Section 2. Consistent with Seattle Municipal Code Section 18.08.010, the Mayor and City Council urge the Parks and Recreation Naming Committee to submit to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation the proposed renaming of “International Children’s Park” to “Donnie Chin International Children’s Park.” The Superintendent should then obtain the advice of the Board of Park Commissioners with all practicable speed before designating the renaming.
Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day
of ______________________, 2016.
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President ___________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the _____ day of _______________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)