Metro Parks Tacoma officials, Tacoma City Councilmembers, and Tacoma residents gathered Monday on the city’s east side to unveil new signage for a park recently renamed to honor a Tacoma couple instrumental in youth sports in Tacoma.
A public process to rename McKinley Playfield began last year when officials responded to reports of confusion among some residents over two public parks located so close to each other — McKinley Park, located at 907 Upper Park St., and McKinley Playfield, located at 4321 McKinley Ave.
In April, Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the site “Verlo Playfield” in honor of Ben and Reba Verlo. The Verlos coached youth sports, advocated for the development of the former Boys and Girls Club on Tacoma’s east side, and often provided a home for kids who didn’t have a place to stay.
Park visitors learned more about Verlo Playfield and gathered to be part of a community photo during a dedication ceremony Monday at noon.
More information is available online here.
To read the Tacoma Daily Index‘s complete and comprehensive coverage of Verlo Playfield, click on the following links:
- Metro Parks Tacoma to dedicate renamed Verlo Playfield (Tacoma Daily Index, June 10, 2014)
- Tacoma park to be renamed Verlo Playfield (Tacoma Daily Index, April 2, 2014)
- Metro Parks Tacoma seeks public’s help to rename McKinley Playfield (Tacoma Daily Index, November 4, 2013)
