Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Ylda Capriccioso, Park Development Manager
Contact Info
(830) 221-4358 - ycapriccioso@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of naming new park property Timmermann Park.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
August Fields is a new 300 single-family subdivision in Park District 2 and City Council District 5, located between Alves Lane and FM 1101 in New Braunfels.
As a part of the negotiated park land requirements, the developer set-aside 2.17 acres of park land, constructed and donated a new public park and hike and bike trail connection. The property was accepted by resolution as City park land at the March 8 City Council meeting.
The City has a Guidelines for Naming or Renaming Park Property that provides a process to assist the City Council with naming a park and recreational facility. In consideration of these guidelines, the proposed name below meets the following criteria:
• The subdivision in which the park property is located;
• A significant historic feature, event, or person;
• An individual or group who has made exceptional contributions to the City of New Braunfels with preference being given for contributions to parks and recreation services.
In addition, staff also addressed the following questions for naming consideration:
• Will the name have historical, cultural, and social significance?
• Will the name be suitable for the park or recreational facility based on the location or history of the park, recreational facility or the surrounding neighborhood?
• Will the name memorialize or commemorate people, places, or events that are of enduring importance to the community?
Park staff contacted the developer to learn more about the land August Fields was built on and any other pertinent history they wanted to share. The developer provided staff with a rich history of the Timmermann family’s emigration to Texas, their establishment locally as responsible and respected citizens, and tidbits about how they enjoyed their life on the family farm. Below is the summary of the Timmermann family history.
Family History:
• August Fields was developed by Barth Timmermannn of Austin, Texas, the grandson of August Timmermann Sr., for whom August Fields is named.
• August Sr., son of Christian and Wilhelmine Timmermannn, was born in 1854. He came to the US at age 2 with his family in 1856 and arrived in Galveston in 1857.
• August Sr. married Anna Kellerman and had 8 children August Jr., Willie, Hermann, Max, Bruno, Anna, Emma, and Leonie
• August Sr. was a prominent and progressive farmer and he purchased the land where August Fields is located in 1899 from the Bock Family.
• August Sr. was a member of The Order of Sons of Hermann
• August Sr. died in 1939 and is buried in the Comal Cemetery.
• To honor August Timmermann Sr and his family’s farming lifestyle, the Barth Timmermann, the developer and relative, name the residential subdivision August Fields.
Staff recommends using the Timmermann family name for the park. It continues the naming tradition consistent with the neighborhood name, it recognizes the family’s heritage and history in the area and credits the Timmermann family’s contribution to the City’s first park and trail in Park District 2.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended approval of the name Timmermann Park at their meeting on December 15, 2020.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the new park in the August Fields subdivision be named Timmermann Park.