Oxnard Beach Park gets renamed ‘olołkoy Beach Park after the Chumash name for dolphin

OXNARD, Calif.-An effort is underway to give Chumash names to popular places in Ventura County.

The new 'olołkoy Beach Park sign was unveiled on Saturday morning along Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard.

The name 'olołkoy with the lower case "o" means dolphin.

"We are literally making history today here in Oxnard and you are all part of it," said community member Manuel Herrera who pitched the idea to the late Carmen Ramirez and then city leaders.

Chumash Elders said they have many languages and have a number of ways to pronounce 'olołkoy.

"It's special to be at this event today because in general the Chumash people have been talked about as if in the past, " said Julie Tumamait-Stenslie,. "Being here today shows people that we are still here still thriving and being part of the community."

She said it is named after one of the most adorable creatures.

She said since they don't have a written language, anthropologists put a phonetic alphabets to their language.

"So, now we can see it."

Tumamait-Stenslie joined others at the signs unveiling.

"Really, really pleased and really grateful."

Community members called 'olołkoy a fitting name since the park looks out on the Channel Islands.

Many park visitors have see dolphin swimming off the coast.

The 'olołkoy Beach Park is open from dawn until dusk.