Owen Sound residents are being asked to help rename one of the city's parks.
The city has rolled out a two-phase system to rename the green space at 823 5th Avenue East, formerly known as Ryerson Park. In phase one, residents can submit suggestions that reflect the park’s location, neighbourhood identity, natural features, or community history. Residents can send their suggestions to the city online at OurCity.OwenSound.ca/Park-Naming until May 4.
There are already four proposed names up for consideration: Old School Park, Eighth Street Park, Boyd Street Park, and Ningaawendam Miikana, which means "Friendship Land" in Anishinaabe.
Council will give priority to names with a locational reference.
The second phase of the park renaming will take place later this year and will allow residents to have their say on the suggested names. That input will then be summarized and presented to the community services committee and council for final consideration.
The city has stated that at least ten days' notice will be given before a final decision on the new name is made.
The park was stripped of its name in 2021 over concerns about its namesake, Egerton Ryerson, who was one of the architects of the residential school system. It is the first space to be considered under the naming and re-naming policy for parks and facilities. The policy, adopted in 2021, sets out clear criteria and a structured process for reviewing naming requests, including defined requirements for applicants and opportunities for both community and expert consultation.
