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WEBVTT REPORTER: YOU CAN SEE SIGNS JUST LIKE THIS ONE LEADING INTO THE PARK. THE WOMAN WHO STARTED THE PETITION SAYS THE NAME IS OFFENSIVE. WHILE THE STATE SAYS ITS PART OF THE PARKS HISTORY. >> I COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT I HAD SEEN IT. I WAS IN SHOCK, I WAS UPSET. REPORTER: PHAEDRA JONES WAS MAKING A DELIVERY WHEN SHE FIRST SAW THE SIGN >> I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGRO WAS USED BACK IN THE 60‘S OR 70‘S, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IF SOMEONE RIGHT NOW WERE TO CA ME, NEGRO, I WOULD BE IN SHOCK, I WOULD CRY. REPORTER: JONES STARTED AN ONLINE PETITION, CALLING ON THE STATE TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE POPULAR PARK. >> THE NAME SHOULD BE CHANGED TO SOMETHING THAT IS BEAUTIFUL. NOT SOMETHING THAT MAKES PEOPLE HURT. OR MAKES SOMEBODY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. REPORTER: IN A STATEMENT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS SAYS WHILE THEY UNDERSTAND THE PARK’S NAME MY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME, IT IS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT, SAYING IN PART, MANY FEEL THAT A NAME CHANGE WOULD REDUCE THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS MADE IN THE REGION. THE STATE SAYS NEGRO BAR STATE PARK WAS NAMED FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MINERS WHO WERE THE FIRST TO PROSPECT THE GRAVEL BAR ALONG THE AMERICAN RIVER. PARK-GOERS HAVE MIXED REACTIONS ON THE NAM >> THE AREA HAS HISTORY AND THEY WERE PART OF IT AND I THINK THIS GIVES THEM SOME RECOGNITION. >> I’M EMBARRASSED WHY MY FRIEND FROM OUT OF TOWN ASKED ME WHY THERE WAS SUCH A RACIST NAME FOR A PART HERE. -- PARK HERE. REPORTER: PHAEDRA JONES SAYS SHE HASN’T HEARD FROM THE STATE ABOUT HER PETITION, BUT HOPES THEY’LL CONSIDER A CHANGE. >> IM PROUD THAT IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING FOR BLACK PEOPLE. AND I WANT IT TO STAY THAT WAY, BUT I FEEL SINCE WE HAVE PROGRESSED IN TIME AND AGE, I FEEL LIKE THE NAME SHOULD ALSO

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A Stockton woman is petitioning to change the name of a popular California state park.Phaedra Jones started an online petition calling on the state to change the name of Negro Bar State Park in Folsom.Jones said the park’s name is insensitive and offensive.In a statement, California State Parks spokesperson Adeline Yee said they understand the park’s name may be offensive to some but said it is historically significant:"Many feel that a name change would reduce the cultural significance and important contribution that African Americans made in the region. While the Department of Parks and Recreation is very sensitive to the perception of unit names within our state parks, we are also very careful to insure that our rich California culture and history remain intact.”KCRA 3’s Emily Maher sat down Jones, the woman who started the petition, to find out why she wants the name changed.Q: Why are you petitioning for a name change?Jones: We’re in a day and time right now where we don’t use that word as often, or as much. I understand that it has been used in the '60s and it was a term that was great, but we don’t use it anymore. We should have a beautiful name to match the beautiful park. The park is beautiful.Q: What do you think the park should be called?Jones: I feel like the name should honor one of the miners. I’m proud that it has been something for black people. I want it to stay that way. But, I feel since we have progressed in time and age, I feel the name should change with that.Q: When you hear the word "negro," what does it mean to you?Jones: If I hear the name, "Negro," I feel shock. I’m hurt. I can’t believe someone would call me that. I understand that "negro" was used back in the '60s or '70s, I understand that. But, if someone, right now, were to call me, "negro," I would be in shock. I would cry. I would feel uneasy. I wouldn’t believe that someone would call me "negro," right now.Q: Have you heard from the state about the petition? What do you want them to do?Jones: I haven’t. I want something where we can come together with an agreement, something that will make the name better. (To) change the name to something different, something where we can come to an agreement.Jones’ petition had more than 1,500 signatures on Tuesday.