An area of open space along the Bothell-Kirkland border has officially been named Bud Homan Park.

The park’s namesake, Marion W. “Bud” Homan, was known around his Kingsgate neighborhood for taking care of the park’s informal trails and lawn before the city took over maintenance of the land with annexation.

“He’s a guy that deserves to have his memory preserved in some way,” Rob Wallner, who grew up next door to Homan and proposed the idea of naming the park to the city, said. “He took care of that park.”

The park has an open lawn along 119th Avenue NE near the intersection with NE 153rd Place, which leads into undeveloped wooded space with informal trails.

City of Kirkland Parks and Community Service Department Deputy Director Michael Cogle said that Homan, who died last year, continued to help with the park’s maintenance even after the city took over.

“He dedicated several decades of loving care and attention to the space,” Cogle said.

Before the park could officially be named after Homan, the City of Kirkland held a comment period late last year to gather feedback from area residents.

“It was overwhelmingly positive,” Cogle said.

The Kirkland City Council unanimously approved the naming of the open space at its Feb. 7 meeting. Cogle said there will be an unveiling ceremony for the park’s new sign sometime this spring.

“It usually takes us six to eight weeks to have the sign produced and installed,” he said.