FOLSOM, Calif. — On Friday, the California State Park and Recreation Commission voted to temporarily rename a lakeside recreation area called Negro Bar while a new name is chosen.
The historic park will be called Black Miners Bar, the commission said in a 7-0 vote.
Since 2018, California State Parks has been working to address residents' requests to change the name of the Negro Bar State Recreation Area in Folsom.
According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, "the historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848."
Many are in favor of changing the name of the day-use-area "given the perception that the place name is derogatory and does not reflect a modern view of inclusion and acceptance of all Californians," according to the state parks website.
"The majority of local interested parties prefer a name change that would still include the historic reference to the Black miners’ era in the name, and propose the name be changed to Black Miners Bar," the state parks website says.
The commission didn't indicate when the area might get a new name. However, members voted to have the parks department work with the California African American Museum to conduct a year of historical research to come up with recommendations for a permanent name.
For more information about the hearing, click HERE.
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
Watch more from ABC10: Folsom Lake is almost full: May 2021 v. May 2022