'Jackrabbit Hill' wins title for Neighborhood Park #1 in Folsom Ranch; 131 names submitted

With names multiplying like bunnies, "Jackrabbit Hill" won the new Folsom Ranch park title. The Folsom City Council approved the official name March 10 for the park formerly known as Neighborhood Park #1 in Folsom Ranch, south of Highway 50. Still in the planning phase, Jackrabbit Hill is a roughly 12-acre site at the corner of Mangini Parkway and Empire Ranch Road. The name was picked through a community drive inviting residents to help shape the park identity. A public call last fall for suggestions collected 131 titles. The Parks & Recreation Commission Planning Subcommittee reviewed the names, and staff later presented a short list at the December meeting: Hawk Ridge, Golden Vista, Jackrabbit Hill and Sanjivini. The commission ultimately recommended Jackrabbit Hill. "The name was submitted by a community member who noted that the black-tailed jackrabbit, native to the Folsom area, is a familiar and beloved sight that reflects the region's natural beauty," said Folsom Park Planner Kate Cannon Nguyen in her report to the council. According to city rules, park naming criteria neighborhood for parks seven to 10 acres should be named after: • Individuals who donated land or large financial contributions to a specific facility or park. • Site-specific names. • Geographical location. • Outstanding feature, design or theme of the park, whether natural geographical or manmade. • Native plants and wildlife. • Historical significance, such as event, group, culture or place. Meanwhile, Councilmember Sarah Aquino suggested taking the top four names and putting it to a public vote on social media. "I just think it's a nice, easy way to involve the public and give them a little bit more say in this process," she said. "I don't believe it violates our policy, and we're still the ultimate decision-makers." Councilmembers Barbara Leary and Anna Rohrbough felt there was already plenty of community input with multiple planning meetings and 131 names. "There were 10 jackrabbit names," added Leary. "I think we've had significant public input on this," said Mayor Justin Raithel.