Flower Mound town council voted 3-2 on Oct. 20 to remand two proposed park names to the parks board subcommittee for additional naming options.

Council members said the parks board's recommended names — which matched nearby residential subdivision names — raised questions about whether the selections fit the town's naming ordinance and about whether names tied to private developments best serve the public interest.

Mayor Cheryl Moore called the item for discussion after council pulled it from the consent agenda. Council member comments focused on Section 54-1 of the town code, which the council read during the discussion. That section allows park names tied to “streets, geographical locations, ecological features, historical figures, events, concepts, local, state, or national leaders, or in memoriam for public servants or residents who perished in the line of duty” and says parks may be named for individuals or groups when “major donations of land, funds, or other exceptional contributions” toward a park’s development, maintenance or operation have been made.

Several council members said they worried the two recommended names appeared to reflect the names of nearby private subdivisions rather than a qualifying geographic or historical feature or an exceptional public donation. Council member [last name recorded as Drew] and others noted that many Flower Mound parks have historically been named for nearby developments or streets; the parks board subcommittee and staff said that practice made it easier for residents to find parks and that plaques and commemorative signs could provide historical context.

Craig Boswell, a volunteer member of the parks board subcommittee, told the council the subcommittee considered environmental features, historical references and other naming approaches and chose the suggested names to provide clear wayfinding for residents. Boswell said the subcommittee also plans to include commemorative plaques with historical information at the sites.

Council members suggested a range of alternatives for the subcommittee to consider, including names tied to native plants or environmental features, historical farm names such as Wyburn Farms, and honorees from the town’s history. One council member said the town previously received a significant land donation for another park and that donor-based naming would be appropriate only in cases with exceptional contributions.

After brief deliberation, the council adopted a motion to remand the item to the parks board subcommittee for additional naming options. The motion passed 3-2: Council members Drew, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Sheehan, and Council member Warner voted in favor; Mayor Pro Tem Martin and Council member Taylor voted against remanding the item. The council chair confirmed both proposed park names will return to council after the parks board subcommittee considers alternatives.

The action does not rename any park today; it directs the parks board subcommittee to return with new or revised naming recommendations for council consideration.