From
F. Mae Smith
Title
Official naming of Jeremy Wariner Trail at Central Park
Presenter
Rick Herold, Director of Parks and Recreation
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
Jeremy Wariner grew up in Grand Prairie and attended schools in Arlington. As a youth, he played baseball and football and the coaches were impressed with his speed and suggested he try out for track. He excelled in the sprints becoming the 1996 Texas 5A state sprint champion at both 200 meters and 400 meters. After graduating from Lamar High School, Jeremy enrolled at Baylor University and continued to excel, where as a sophomore, he won the 2004 NCAA Division 1 indoor and outdoor 400 meter titles.
Jeremy has since won 3 Olympic gold medals and 1 silver medal at the Athens and Bejing Olympic Games in the 400 meter and the 4 x 400 meter relay. He is also a 5 time gold medalist at the World Championships in the same events from 2005 through 2009.
His national and international athletic achievements are renowned and an encouragement to the youth of our community. In recognition of Jeremy's achievements, the Grand Prairie Park Advisory Board Naming Committee made a recommendation to the City Council to officially name a segment of existing and proposed paved trail in Central Park, 'The Jeremy Wariner Trail'. The attached graphic illustrates the recommendation. A permanent plaque is recommended to be installed along the trail to recognize his achievements.
Financial Consideration
The proposed cost for installation of a permanent marker at the location is estimated at $2,500 which is available in the FY 2012/2013 Park Venue Fund.