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5) DETERMINE NEXT STEPS ON POCAHONTAS NAME CONVERSATION <br />Chair Hoag posed the question to the Commission of if the name of Pocahontas Park should be <br />changed. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if it would potentially make sense to change Pocahontas Park’s name to <br />Rosebrook and then change the name of the current Rosebrook Park. <br />Staff relayed that the switching of the names has been a community discussion over the years. <br />However, there is not an official record of the names being changed. In addition, staff added that any <br />change to the current Rosebrook Park’s name would require a community engagement process. <br />Commissioner Baggenstoss thanked the community members who participated and provided <br />feedback throughout the process. He relayed that he feels the name should be changed. Further, he <br />believes that utilizing a (potentially paid) Native American led group to rename the park would be <br />the best next step as suggested by the Metropolitan Urban Indian Group. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lenhart agreed with Commissioner Baggenstoss that the name of Pocahontas Park <br />absolutely should be changed. <br /> <br />Commissioners Brown and Arneson both stated that they believe it is appropriate to change the <br />name based on the feedback the Commission has received. <br />Chair Hoag relayed that he has been indifferent to changing the name throughout the process. But <br />ultimately, he does believe that the name should be changed. However, he has concerns that only 35- <br />40 people spoke about the potential name change. <br /> <br />Commissioner Arneson challenged the idea that there has been limited community feedback. He was <br />present at the Discover Your Parks (DYP) event at Pocahontas Park (along with other community <br />events this summer) and received feedback from many attendees that they felt the name should be <br />changed, but they did not have any ideas or suggestions for a new name. <br /> <br />Commissioner Baggenstoss reminded the Commission that they are appointed by the City Council to <br />be Commission members and leaders of the community. He challenged the Commission to be <br />leaders and make the right decision regarding the name of Pocahontas Park and to trust the work the <br />group has put into the name change process. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />