FOLSOM, Calif. — In October 2018, a Stockton woman started a petition online to rename Negro Bar State Park in Folsom, garnering both support and backlash from people across the U.S.
Now, with the killing of George Floyd and conversations about race across the country, the petition has found a recent swell in support. In terms of California signatures, the petition has added more than 2,000 signatures in the past nine days.
When ABC10 covered the story in 2018, the petition had 5,000 signatures, about 1,000 from Californians and 4,000 from non-Californians. Today, Phaedra Jones' petition has garnered more than 65,000 supporters, including more than 26,000 Californians.
Petition signatures picked up after stalling for a number of months. The last local signatures, before the new swell in support, dated back to three, four, and nine months ago.
"While African-American community leaders and historians have supported the continued use of this name in the past, California State Parks recognizes that such interpretations can change over time," said Adeline Yee, information officer for California State Parks in an email to ABC10.
Yee says there were plans earlier in the year for a public meeting about the name, but it was on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"At this time, the department is looking at ways to seek additional feedback from the public, our stakeholders and the African-American community in order to reach an informed decision," Yee said.
California State Parks expanded on how the department plans to potentially find a new name, should the review call for such action, and what some future steps would involve.
"Once we receive additional feedback from the public, African-American community leaders and historians, the Director of State Parks may approve a name change," Yee said. "State Parks will keep the public posted once we decide on our next steps on this important issue."
In naming areas, California State Parks takes into consideration the history, environment, cultures and people associated with the area.
The review started in response to Jones' petition, which at the time sparked conversation over the appropriateness of the name.
“I was so confused, shocked, angry, put down, sad, hurt, disrespected and in disbelief. I couldn't believe that I had actually seen a sign that read 'Negro Bar,'" Jones told ABC10 in 2018.
At the time, the petition was met with controversy. Some people vehemently defended the name, claiming it was an important part of history. The site was one of the first areas where black miners prospected for gold in California.
“It's ridiculous. It's part of our history,” said Larry Clarizio, who lives near the park and opposed the proposed name change in a 2018 interview with ABC10.
Others, like Jones, found the name offensive.
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Currently, a portion of Negro Bar is under renovation to improve recreation facilities. The project is expected to last through November 2020.
Though the California parks department says they are not yet considering public input for renaming the area, there may be a chance in the future.
Those who have questions or want to learn more about renaming the area are encouraged to email the parks department at info@parks.ca.gov.
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