Community Vote Wednesday Would Keep 'Rockwood' in the Name of New Hi-Fi Pocket Park

What's in a name? goes the often-invoked Shakespearean adage.  Sometimes a lot, comes the answer, judging from what went on Wednesday night at a community meeting at Historic Filipinotown's newest pocket park.

In an advisory vote, the name "Rockwood Community Park" won out over a number of other suggestions, including one endorsed by the local neighborhood council.

Eric Garcetti and the office of Council District 13 had called the meeting to seek approval of a proposal to permanently name the park "Mabuhay Community Park," in honor of its location in Historic Filipinotown. Mabuhay means "live long" and "welcome" in Tagalog.

The Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council had recommended the name change for the site--now tentatively called Rockwood Street Community Park after its location at Rockwood and Colton streets.

The LAPD and local business members--as well as the neighborhood council--worry that keeping Rockwood in the name will bring members of the Rockwood gang to the park.

But many community members argued that holding on to the name would give help remake Rockwood's image.

Ryan Carpio, a field deputy for Eric Garcetti, hosted the meeting and invited Melinda Gejer of the Department of Recreation and Parks to lead an official naming discussion.

"We didn't expect such a big turnout," she said, as she took suggestions from the several dozen who turned out.

At least 10 different names were suggested, including "New View," to reflect the wonderful view of downtown from the peak of the park.

Others said why not try "Bienvenidos," a welcome that would reflect the current demographic composition of the neighborhood.

Still others suggested "Olive Branch," to remind locals that the park should be a place of conciliation.

(Check the acompanying gallery for images of the full list of names.)

But a vocal group of locals--one of whom joked that the park should be named after the Belmont High mascot, since so many of them attended the school--were committed to seeing the park remain named after the neighborhood, Rockwood, where they and so many of their family members grew up.

"I grew up on Rockwood Street, and I'm not a gang member," said Brenda Mah. "It's geographic, and its universal."

 And "Rockwood Community Park" turned out to be the winner in the vote taken Wednesday night. Supporters also told agreed they would accept Colton Street as a second possibility.

A compromise "Bienvenidos-Mabuhay Park" also did well in the voting.

Jose Sigala, president of the Echo Park Neighborhood Council, said he plans to push forward with the name his group endorsed for the park.

He said five other groups are also submitting letters to Recreation and Parks supporting Mabuhay Park.

Meantime, Gejer told the crowd that the Parks and Recreation commissioners have the final say on what the park gets called.  She will be preparing a report for the commision to consider when it votes this summer on the final name.

She advised that the commissioners are most inclined to approve names that are "geographic or neighborhood" based.  Names that reflect the "ethnic heritage" of an area are also often accepted.

Carpio of council district 13 said the office plans to host a ribbon-cutting for the new park May 7, even though its name will not be decided.