39A - KIWANIS PARK RENAMING - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2020 TITLE: APPROVE RENAMING OF THE KIWANIS BARRIER FREE PLAYGROUND AT CARL THORNTON PARK TO THE "GEORGE UPTON ALL ACCESS PARK" CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1� Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO /s/ Kristine Ridge FILE NUMBER CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION Approve renaming of the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground to the "George Upton All Access Park." DISCUSSION At the December 1, 2020 City Council meeting, Councilmembers Bacerra and Mendoza submitted an agenda item (85A) to propose renaming the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground to George Upton All Access Park and the balance of the City Council members concurred. George Upton was born in Tampa Florida on October 15, 1920 and passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2019 at the age of 98. He grew up in San Bernardino, California and joined the US Navy during WWII. He fought in the Pacific and served on the USS Bolinas and USS Manila Bay from 1942-1945. After the war, he worked for Siamese Airways and while on a layover in New York City in October of 1947, he met Jean, the love of his life, on a blind date. After getting married there in January during the blizzard of 1948 by Norman Vincent Peale, George and Jean moved to California and ultimately settled in Santa Ana where they raised their family. He earned his BA in business from Woodbury College on the GI Bill, receiving the honors of suma cum laude. George worked in advertising, pharmaceutical sales and management, and for the County of Orange until he went into the car business. He finally retired in 1982. In retirement, George found his passion in philanthropic work. He served as an elder and deacon for the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, was President of the Friends of the Santa Ana Public Library, was a Flotilla commander and Division Captain for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and in his spare time taught boating and navigation courses at Santa Ana College. George joined the Kiwanis Club of the Santa Ana in 1980, was Kiwanian of the Year in 1982, and served as President from 1995-1996. He worked tirelessly with fellow Kiwanians to improve the lives of special needs children in Santa Ana, volunteering at Carl Harvey School, and helping to create the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground in Santa Ana. Annually the Kiwanis club hosts the "George Upton Picnic" at the park. After George's passing, his commitment to the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground continued as donations were made, in lieu of flowers, to the Kiwanis Foundation for the Barrier Free Playground. 39A-1