I commend the idea of naming the park after an Acton resident someone who has achieved something noteworthy, and it's certainly convenient that the initials of the person nominated for this honor would allow the NARA acronym to remain intact. Yet I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't make more sense to name the park after some person who has contributed to Acton, not by fighting a war and dying (noble though that is), but by seeking to protect and beautify our community, and ensure that its residents have a place to recreate and enjoy nature?

I posted a photo of the grave of Allen Nathaniel. It's credited to me by Patch, but really it's from the wonderful Civil War archives of the Acton Memorial Library:
http://www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/civilwar/burials/Allen_Nathaniel_M-burial.htm
All the cemetery photos there are credited to Robbie Allen.

I think they should change the name of the park. NARA is an acronym. Saying, "NARA Park" is like saying, "North Acton Recreational Area Park," which is a phrase they would come up with in the Department of Redundancy Department.

As to whether it should be changed to Nathaniel Allen Park, well, I don't know. Certainly he exhibited bravery in fetching the flag, and it was an important act since in those pre-electronics days the flag literally was a rallying point for the troops.

But I think there might be others from Acton's past who might be more worthy. How about Isaac Davis Park. Isaac Davis was an Actonite and was one of the first to die at the very start of the American Revolution, receiving a fatal wound at the battle of North Bridge in Concord. Personally I think Isaac Davis would be a better person to name the park after. Just my two cents worth.

Jeff Barry
South Acton

I agree entirely with getting rid of the "recreation area" moniker. The phrase just doesn't sound fun. Park captures the nature of the space better. I'd be glad to call it "Davis Park," "Allen Park," or anything else that doesn't sound so bland and institutional as it currently does.

Great suggestion on naming it the Isaac Davis Park. The other person who died in Concord that day, if memory serves, was Abner Hosmer. Maybe the "Davis and Hosmer Park" can honor both patriots. I also think the Nathaniel Allen suggestion is noteworthy but we shouldn't pick a name just because we can keep the NARA park acronym. If we are going to change it, let's choose someone, not have that choice be dictated by chance initials.

I agree with all the comments regarding a change if wanted by the masses , but not for a person who died, something more generic and in the present, We have lots of things in town named for the civil war years. The park did not even exist in the years of these patriots being suggested. I personally like the name as it is. What is the need to change it at all? The town should give more thought to the name. It is going to be a long lasting name, do not change for the sake of change

I don't really think that the name should be changed just to honor a civil war veteran who has no relevance in recreational areas or conservation of land. If people feel so strongly to change the name it should be named after one of the founders of the recreational areas in Acton. After all, NARA was a forest before it was developed into a suburban park, there is no reason to change the name,

I have never been attracted to the existing name, but am not passionate about the issue.
However, if we are going to change the name, is there someone or a group of people who were instrumental in creating the park, giving the land, or ???

I originally recommended it be called Squgglebump Park. I stand by that recommendation.

How about another noted Civil War figure? Jubilation T. Cornepone led a historic Confederate retreat.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

What, a Civil War veteran given the highest honor this country can bestow in the fight against slavery doesn't cut the mustard for getting a park named after him? Or Issac Davis, local Rev war hero still not enough? You want to name the park after some clerk who signed off in making this area a park? C'mon people think bigger!