Supporting the Renaming of Stevens Field

Submitted by Morgan Montes, SCNA Treasurer

The South Capitol Neighborhood Association Board recently sent a letter to the Olympia City Council and cc’d the Olympia School District Superintendent, expressing our strong support for the proposed renaming of Stevens Field. This issue was elevated by the powerful advocacy of a group of Lincoln Elementary fifth graders and a Lincoln teacher who asked the city council at their May 20, 2025 meeting to consider renaming Stevens Field in honor of Randy Edwards, a former Lincoln teacher and coach (the students’ and teacher’s testimony begins at 24:40). This was later brought to our attention by one of our neighbors. Thank you for raising it.

As highlighted in our July 28th letter and The Olympian’s recent coverage, the students reminded us that Governor Isaac Stevens’ legacy includes policies of forced relocation of Indigenous people and the execution of Chief Leschi. We agree with them that this history creates an opportunity to rename this space and encourages all of the members of our community to come together under shared values. 

In our letter to the Olympia City Council, we recommended the following:

• A Thoughtful, Inclusive Process – The renaming should reflect the voices of all who use the field, including students, youth sports teams, and neighbors from diverse backgrounds.
• Shared Community Values – We encourage a values-based approach that highlights equity, inclusion, collaboration, resiliency, and public service.
• Accountability in Honoring Individuals – Any individual considered for this honor should undergo a formal background review to ensure their legacy reflects Olympia’s values.

It is  important to note that the City does not own the land on which Stevens Field is located. The field is owned by the Olympia School District, and the City leases it for community use.

On August 22, the City Council responded to our letter, saying “At this time, we are not making any immediate changes to the name of Stevens Field. Instead, our focus is on analyzing the current naming policy and determining whether updates are needed to provide clearer guidance on how renaming requests are considered. This evaluation is essential to ensure that any decisions reflect our community values, honor our shared history, and provide a clear process.”

We encourage you to follow the City’s process and share your input when opportunities arise.