Title
Recommending approval to rename Osborn Plaza to Wabasha Park to clearly identify the space as a public park.
Body
WHEREAS, Osborn Plaza is located at the corner of Wabasha Street and 5th Street; and
WHEREAS, Osborn Plaza is currently undergoing a major renovation scheduled to reopen in the Fall of 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul’s Parks and Recreation Department (Department) has learned that residents and visitors are not aware that this space is a City-owned park open for public use because the park shares a name with the adjacent privately-owned office building; and
WHEREAS, the Department completed community engagement in 2025 to provide information on the renaming process, to get feedback on possible names and to inform the selection of a name; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the public suggested Wabasha Plaza or Wabasha Park; and
WHEREAS, the Department determined that the most appropriate name would be Wabasha Park to identify the space as public and align with naming conventions used for other downtown parks; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission (“Commission”) is an appointed body established to advise the Mayor and City Council on city-wide matters related to the Department; and
WHEREAS, Commission Policy #7, Naming Parks and Recreation Sites, 2012 Update, provides criteria for naming of parks, and this recommendation complies with the policy; and
WHEREAS, by Commission Resolution #26-02, the Commission recommended approval at their January 8, 2026 meeting; therefore, now be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that the Saint Paul City Council approve the remaining of Osborn Plaza to Wabasha Park.