01. Resolution 5656 - Thompson FieldC"IT }r OF City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 -Kalispell, Montana 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758
1 1VIONTANr1
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Fisher and City Council
From: Doug Russell, City ManagerTq-
Re: Eastside Park/Thompson Field
Meeting Date: December 2, 2013
BACKGROUND: In response to community request, council discussed the respective details
of the name of Eastside Park, which was at one time considered Thompson Park, at a recent
work session.
The records we have found best indicate that the park itself was informally changed to Eastside
Park as part of a community effort facilitated by the Eastside Kalispell Group to improve the
grounds and the facilities that had fallen into disrepair. Correspondence also indicated this group
desired to keep the name Thompson Field, though no signage had been established to identify
that component within the park.
Discussion at the work session on November 25 appeared to favor formally naming the field as
"Thompson Field". This would reside in "Eastside Park." There were, however, other names
proposed, both in council discussion and in public comments.
The recommended action is to formally designate the portion of Eastside Park occupied by a
baseball field as "Thompson Field."
FISCAL IMPACT: Minimal costs for signage of the park/field
ALTERNATIVES: Should Council elect to change the proposed naming recommendation, the
resolution can be amended to accommodate Council preference.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council approve the Resolution #5656,
formally establishing the name of Thompson Field for the area of Eastside Park occupied by the
baseball field.
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WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell owns and -maintains a city park which comprises Block 254 of
Kalispell Addition No. 8, bounded by Ninth and Tenth Streets East and Seventh and
Eighth Avenues East which has never been formally named by the City but has been
designated by some volunteer neighbors recently as "Eastside Park"; and
WHEREAS, within this city park are tennis courts, a playground with equipment and a baseball field
with minimal infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the baseball field within the park has, during its history, been heavily utilized for
recreational and competitive little league baseball; and
WHEREAS, many Kalispell residents recall the baseball field being known for many decades as
"Thompson Park.", commemorating the life of Gus Thompson, Kalispell native and
longtime resident who played professional baseball and pitched in the first World Series;
and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City and its residents to
maintain an awareness of its history and the history of its former residents as doing so
maintains the sense of cohesive community that increases the value of neighborhoods;
and
WHEREAS, formally designating the baseball field as Thompson Field will provide the neighborhood
and the City with a significant link to the history of the neighborhood and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL
AS •
SECTION 1. That portion of Eastside Park occupied by the baseball field shall henceforth be
named and designated as "Thompson Field."
SECTION 2. This resolution shall be effective immediately.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS 2 nd DAY OF DECEMBER, 2013.
Tamuii Fisher
Mayor
Theresa White, City Clerk