The Rathdrum City Council voted to name the new park at the City Hall Campus the Mark Worthen Memorial Park after staff presented the results of a two-stage public survey.

Staff said an initial pool of suggestions yielded 103 responses and that a secondary randomized online survey returned 554 responses; 495 of those favored the Mark Worthen Memorial Park option. Councilmember Merrick moved to adopt the name; the motion was seconded, a roll-call vote was recorded and the motion passed.

Separately, staff presented a proposed 2026 consulting agreement with Jacqueline ("Jackie") Gilbert to provide grant-writing services. Council authorized the mayor to execute the agreement. Staff highlighted Gilbert’s work that helped secure a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant this year and said Gilbert will assist with a land-and-water grant tied to the park’s final plat; staff said the land-and-water grant application window normally opens in January but the committee moved the deadline to August next year.

Staff noted the park will be deeded to the city after the final plat is recorded and estimated the donated park is approximately six acres; if the land-and-water grant is awarded it could cover a majority of park development costs. Council discussed maintenance responsibilities for donated parks and confirmed that if a developer donates the park it becomes the city's responsibility to maintain it.

What's next: The city will finalize the deed of the park to demonstrate ownership for grant applications; staff will proceed with the consulting agreement scope and prepare grant materials for the land-and-water application in the next application cycle.