Help Name Owatonna's New Regional Park

Consultation has concluded

aerial rendering of new regional park

The City of Owatonna is planning to create a new regional park. Morehouse Park, Kaplan’s Woods Parkway, Lake Kohlmier Area and Kaplan’s Woods will be combined to pave the way to access state funding for park improvements. Current park names will continue to be used as names of prominent features in the new park. For example, Morehouse Chalet, Kaplan’s Woods Mountain Biking Facility and Lake Kohlmier Beach.


Naming recommendations must comply with the City policy for naming facilities such as:

  • The City encourages the use of names based upon geographical, historical or ecological features, indigenous to the area.
  • The name of an individual may be approved if that individual has made exceptional contributions to the City of Owatonna.
  • Names may be based on a matter of historical or cultural significance.
  • The name must not duplicate or be similar to any other name existing within the city, so as to cause confusion to the public.
  • Names with connotations that by contemporary community standards are derogatory or offensive will not be considered.
  • The following industries and products are not eligible for naming rights: police-regulated businesses, faith-based and political organizations, companies whose business is primarily derived from the sale of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, adult-use or other businesses deemed inappropriate.

Submissions will be considered by City staff and presented to the Park Board May 8. The top recommendations will be presented to City Council May 16 with a request to adopt the regional park plan and approve the new name. Additional information is available at owatonna.gov.

The City of Owatonna is planning to create a new regional park. Morehouse Park, Kaplan’s Woods Parkway, Lake Kohlmier Area and Kaplan’s Woods will be combined to pave the way to access state funding for park improvements. Current park names will continue to be used as names of prominent features in the new park. For example, Morehouse Chalet, Kaplan’s Woods Mountain Biking Facility and Lake Kohlmier Beach.


Naming recommendations must comply with the City policy for naming facilities such as:

  • The City encourages the use of names based upon geographical, historical or ecological features, indigenous to the area.
  • The name of an individual may be approved if that individual has made exceptional contributions to the City of Owatonna.
  • Names may be based on a matter of historical or cultural significance.
  • The name must not duplicate or be similar to any other name existing within the city, so as to cause confusion to the public.
  • Names with connotations that by contemporary community standards are derogatory or offensive will not be considered.
  • The following industries and products are not eligible for naming rights: police-regulated businesses, faith-based and political organizations, companies whose business is primarily derived from the sale of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, adult-use or other businesses deemed inappropriate.

Submissions will be considered by City staff and presented to the Park Board May 8. The top recommendations will be presented to City Council May 16 with a request to adopt the regional park plan and approve the new name. Additional information is available at owatonna.gov.