Title
Naming Phalen Picnic Island to Tou Ger Xiong Island.
Body
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department received a $250,000 grant from the MN Historical Society to design and construct a mural and statue honoring Tou Ger Xiong's life and contributions to the state of Minnesota on an island at Phalen-Keller Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy received a $15,000 grant from Year-Round Star Funding to install permanent naming markers; and
WHEREAS, the island is unofficially known as Picnic Island and is located at the northwest corner of Phalen-Keller Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the creation of public art and a designated memorial space to honor Tou Ger Xiong alongside Lake Phalen will support the goals of honoring Tou Ger Xiong's legacy as a pillar of the community and continuing his work celebrating Hmong heritage, inspiring future community leaders, and bringing people together; and
WHEREAS, the Department has and will continue to work in close collaboration with several partners on this project, including the Xiong Family, Senator Foung Hawj, Ward 6 City Council Office, and community representatives; and
WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission (the "Commission") Policy #7, Naming Parks and Recreation Sites, 2012 Update, provides criteria for naming of parks, and this request follows the purpose of the “Memorial Names” criteria; and
WHEREAS, by Commission Resolution #26-06, the Commission recommended approval at their June 11, 2026 meeting; therefore, now be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council approves the renaming of Phalen Picnic Island to Tou Ger Xiong Island.