REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 15, 2016
FROM: OLIVER L. BAINES, III, Councilmember for District 3
Council Offices
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Naming the California and Elm Gym the “Maxie L. Parks Community Center and Gym” - (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council approve the attached resolution naming the California and Elm Gym the “Maxie L. Parks Community Center and Gym.”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Council has the authority to name City facilities by resolution pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-101. Maxie L. Parks is a longtime resident of Southwest Fresno and a celebrated Olympian in track and field, who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for the City and County of Fresno, Washington Union High School, Fresno City College, and UCLA Athletics. In addition, Mr. Parks serves as Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of Westside Church of God, and serves as the church’s Building Fund Chair, having raised $400,000 to erect a multi-use building for the church and community of Southwest Fresno.
BACKGROUND
Maxie L. Parks was born July 9, 1951, in Lee County, Arkansas. At the age of ten he and his family moved to Fresno, where Maxie attended West Fresno Elementary and Junior High Schools. It was at this time that Maxie began to formally embrace his love for track and field and other sports.
Maxie is a 1970 graduate from Washington Union High School in Easton. While at Washington Union, Maxie participated in football, wrestling and track and field. Maxie was All American twice while in high school and league champion in wrestling. Maxie went on to Fresno City College from 1970 to 1972 with a track scholarship and obtained an AA Degree. After Fresno City College Maxie received a full scholarship to UCLA and attended from 1972 to 1975 obtaining a BA degree in Sociology.
After college Maxie was part of four United States teams that toured Europe and trained for the 1976 Olympics in Montréal Canada, where he placed 5th in the 400 meters and obtained a gold medal in the 1600 meter relay. Maxie continued to pursue his dream of track and field, training for the 1980 Olympics until the United States boycott of the Olympic Games for that year. Maxie retired from competing in track in field in 1981, but still makes himself available for consult. Maxie has been inducted into the Hall of Fame in The City and County of Fresno, Fresno City College, UCLA Athletics, and Washington Union High School.
Maxie is currently an active member of Westside Church of God since 1996 and was elected a Board Member in 1999. In 2000, Maxie became the Westside Church of God Board Vice Chairman and holds that position presently. In 2001, Maxie became the Westside Church of God Building fund chair and was able to raise as much as $400,000.00 to erect a 27,000 sq. ft. multi use building for the church and its community of Southwest Fresno. Because of Maxie’s knowledge of and integrity in raising funds for the church, Maxie was formally elected to Chair the church fundraising programs in 2009. Maxie receives a tremendous amount of support from his family, friends, church, and the community of Fresno.
Maxie has been happily married to his wife LoVern Mason-Parks for 43 years. He has three daughters, a son, and is the proud grandfather of seven.
Maxie’s athletic successes include:
Fresno City College:
1970 State Champion in 400m and 1600 m relay
UCLA:
1973 NCAA Championship team
5th place in 400m
1974 NCAA Championship team
3rd place in 400m
1st place in 1600m
AAU Championship 1976-1979
1976 Olympic Gold Medalist 1600m relay
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for CEQA purposes.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
Attachment: Resolution