Dear Editor,
Re: “City’s naming policy a shame,” Letters, Oct. 30.
It is entirely appropriate that the area at Saba and Buswell be named Lang Park.
This park is located on the former property of the Lang garden nursery, which had significant frontage along No. 3 Road and included the area of Saba Road and the properties on both sides of it, going eastward for quite a distance.
The loss of this popular nursery was keenly felt in Richmond, and its development resulted in massive change along No. 3 Road and in the Saba area.
The renaming of the playground next to Kathleen McNeely elementary is an entirely different situation.
Over the years, hundreds of Richmond parents have donated both fundraising and construction skills to build playground equipment for their schools and communties.
It has always been understood that any playground would take the name of the adjacent school, and realistically, that is how this playground will be known.
Many donors made this accessible playground possible.
I must admit to a certain amount of unease with this issue because there are other children to consider at the school.
To name a community-funded playground at a public elementary school after a single child implies exclusivity and ownership where neither should exist.
The City of Richmond has offered a signboard to recognize this child as the inspiration for the playground’s design.
Richmond produces attractive and informative signage for parks and other locations, and one of these would provide suitable recognition for the child and her family.
In addition, I recall that the play structure at Brighouse elementary was also built with ramps for children with disabilities.
Perhaps a sign would also be in order at Brighouse?
Marion Smith
Richmond
