The Ridgefield City Council voted unanimously Thursday, Aug. 28, to give the 15-acre park planned within the Paradise Pointe subdivision its permanent name. The decision came after weeks of discussion and community input.
The decision came two weeks after the city council tabled the discussion after receiving dozens of potential names from community members through the city’s website, unable to come to an agreement.
The park is located between 35th Avenue and Royle Road, just north of Pioneer Street. Once complete, it will serve as the centerpiece of the Paradise Pointe neighborhood, which is slated for 291 homes. The area features a natural trail system within the Allen Canyon Creek watershed, connecting to nearby Boyse Park.
Approved by the council in December, the master plan highlights several key features, including two imaginative play zones. The first, a “beaver den” in the park’s southwest corner, will feature a beaver-shaped play structure with slides, hopping logs and balance beams. The second, a “bird perch” in the northeast section, will offer bird-shaped climbing equipment, slides and a picnic shelter nearby.
Councilor Lee Wells was the first to put forward a naming idea, pointing to the property’s history and a longtime Ridgefield characteristic.
“The property owner was Paul Bellows back in the 40s,” Wells said. “And so, I was thinking Ridgefield, the Windy City, maybe Bellows Park. I’m not set on that, but I just had to bring a little background that tied in with the property like that.”
Councilor Katie Favela then presented the idea that ultimately won the group’s support.
“I was really fond of ‘hollow’ because of the shape of the actual park,” Favela said. “And I like the combination of the Storybook Hollow Park. We can tie it into it would match the features and then also ‘storybook,’ looking at the history of it, like you could even just tell a story of the history of that.”
Councilor Meghan Hamilton backed the suggestion.
“I think it’s whimsical and cute and unique. I like the hollow,” Hamilton said.
Councilor Rian Davis also supported the choice.
“I just really feel like it’s just gonna describe that area really well,” Davis said. “I think it does have that whimsical element and, you know, it also points to the geography.”
Mayor Matt Cole said the name fit the park’s setting and its future as a family-friendly space.
“I do like Storybook Hollow,” Cole said. “I love the name Hollow. It is kind of a hollow there because it kind of goes down. And then the storybook theme, kind of whimsical, makes it kind of fun and when you think about kids playing there, and I think there’s a lot of things we could do with that.”
Wells conceded to the majority, allowing the council to move quickly to a unanimous vote.
Phase one of construction on Storybook Hollow, which includes a playground, picnic shelter and parking lot, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. In addition, the park’s long-term plan includes a pedestrian bridge over Allen Canyon Creek, bird-themed play structures, wildlife viewing blinds and osprey platforms.
