With construction scheduled to start in March on a $9.1 million sports field complex in Hazel Dell, the public is being asked to vote on a name for the complex that has been referred to as the Hazel Dell sports fields.
“Hazel Dell” isn’t found among the suggested names, as the county already has a park with Hazel Dell in the title.
The choices, culled from public suggestions, are: Greater Clark County Sports Park, Greater Vancouver Sports Park, Padden Park, St. Johns Park and Luke Jensen Memorial Park.
The last option honors a 9-year-old who died last year after a two-year battle with leukemia.
Luke attended King’s Way Christian Schools, where his father, Steve, serves as a principal. The schools are next to the future sports complex and will share sports fields and parking.
A primary user of the sports complex will be Salmon Creek Little League. Cliff Yount, vice president of the league, suggested naming the park after Luke.
Yount said last year after he suggested the name that he did not know Luke but was touched by the community support the family received throughout Luke’s illness.
“The biggest thing for me is that Luke brought a community together,” Yount said last year. “That’s what parks do.”
“Padden Park” was suggested because of the nearby four-lane Padden Parkway, which opened in 1999 and was named after the Padden family, who owned a dairy farm in the area.
“St. Johns Park” was suggested because of the nearby road that has been used since pioneer days.
Votes may be cast by calling 360-397-6118, Ext. 4949, or by filling out an online form at http://www.clarkparks.org/projects/hazeldellsports.htm.
The deadline to vote is Feb. 8.
On Feb. 18, the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will consider the results of the public vote before making a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.
Commissioners have final say.
The 20-acre park is expected to be game-ready by spring 2012.
Construction will be funded by the real estate excise tax, which is paid whenever property is sold.
The basic maintenance of the park will be funded by the Greater Clark Parks District, a special district approved by voters in the unincorporated urban area of Clark County in 2005.
Stephanie Rice: 360-735-4508 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.
