HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 17, 1986 (81)COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: THE, CITY COUNCILDATE: - NO.
FROM: THE CITY MANAGERS OFFICE December 17, 1986
SUBJECT: -
00NSIDER RECQVMZATION OF PARKS AND RECREATION COkVISSION TO RRWE
LAWRF_NCE PARK BASEBALL FIELD "TONY ZUPO FIELD"
PREPARED BY: Parks and Recreation Director
3. RECONaNDED ACTION: That the City Council rename the current Lawrence Park
Baseball Field to "Tony Zupo Field" per Recreation
and Parks Commission recommendation and Department
Head concurrence.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The suggestion to rename this facility was presented
by Mr. John Nilmeyer to the Recreation and Parks
Commission at its November meeting. Mr. Nilmeyer
based this proposal on Mr. Zupo's 41 years as manager of the local Guild Wine
baseball team. His involvgnent with hundreds of young adults who have played
for him and have been helped and influenced by him in having the opportunity to
play at the seu.-pro level, has been significant. He has supported the local
B.O.B.S. for 26 years by membership and assistance with the youth baseball
programs, as well as having been an active member of the Lodi Sports Hall of
Fame Committee, both as a "Hall of Famer" himself and a conmittee member.
Mr. Nilmeyer felt this would be an ideal time to have this particular park
named for him since he has grown up in it.
To give some background on the original name of the park, the Lawrence family
donated the land for the Grape Bowl, Lawrence Park proper, and the Armory Park
facilities, and the park was named after them. In this regard, .we cont_.cted a
nember of the Lawrence family, Moe ,Gritsch (whom we knew from Recreation
Department activities), and requested this name change. We also asked if this
would present any conflicts or concerns to the family. Mrs. Gritsch, whose
sons played for Tony Zupo, was elated over the idea and indicated that she
definitely would approve the action. It was felt by myself and the Chairman of
the Recreation Commission that this approval should be put in writing, and Mrs.
Gritsch compliedwith this request with a letter which we received. for the
Commission. meeting of December 2. A copy of this letter is attached.
With the Lawrence family's full support and the knowledge of Mr. Zupos
contributions, this proposal was presented to the Commission and met with 100%
approval.
fs ctful y t
Ronald W. Williamson
Parks and Recreation Director
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