Renaming of Polson Street Park to
Jennifer Kateryna Koval's'kyj Park
(Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1)the lands known municipally as Polson Street Park be officially named Jennifer
Kateryna Koval's'kyj Park;
(2)Section 2(c) of the Policy for Renaming of Parks be waived with respect to this
proposal;
(3)Heritage Toronto be authorized to install a plaque commemorating Jennifer
Kateryna Koval's'kyj in this park and that funds in the amount of $2,000 be allocated
for this purpose; and
(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to
implement the foregoing.
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested
the Budget Committee to report directly to Council on the identification of source of funds
for Recommendation No. (3).
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (September 1, 1998)
from the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism:
Purpose:
To obtain approval to rename Polson Street Park as Jennifer Kateryna Koval's'kyj Park in
honor of Jennifer Kateryna Koval's'kyj.
Source of Funds:
Heritage Toronto requires $2,000 to fund the installation of a commemorative plaque.
Recommendations:
(1)That the lands known municipally as Polson Street Park be officially named Jennifer
Kateryna Koval's'kyj Park;
(2)That Section 2(c) of the Proposed Policy for Renaming of Parks be waived with respect
to this proposal;
(3)That Heritage Toronto be authorized to install a plaque commemorating Jennifer
Kateryna Koval's'kyj in this park and that funds in the amount of $2,000 be allocated for
this purpose; and
(4)That the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to
implement the foregoing.
Comments:
Jennifer Kateryna Koval's'kyj was born in Toronto in 1989, she resided here until 1995
when a custody decision awarded the care of Jennifer to her father and necessitated a move
to Bowmanville. On April 2, 1996, Jennifer's father, a diagnosed schizophrenic attacked his
mother with a knife. Jennifer tried to protect her grandmother from being attacked,
unfortunately, she was unsuccessful and both her grandmother and six year old Jennifer
succumbed to injuries received in the attack. Jennifer is buried in Toronto. The Durham
Police Force has honored Jennifer with a posthumous citation for bravery. Jennifer's
maternal grandfather who resides in Toronto has submitted a request to name a park or street
in her honor as a lasting memory and a testimony to her courage. I have consulted with the
Works and Emergency Services Department and it is agreed that should Council endorse the
renaming, it would be more appropriate to name a park in honor of the little girl rather than
a street. Polson Street Park is a 0.35 acre City-owned park located at the west end of Polson
Street overlooking the lake.
At its meeting on July 8, 1998, City Council adopted, as amended, the Policy for Renaming
of Parks, Section 2(c) of the policy requires that local residents be consulted and that they
agree with the proposal. This park is located in the Ports area of Toronto and does not have a
local residential population, further, Councillor's McConnell and Layton have advised they
support the proposed renaming and the recommendation to waive the requirement in this
instance. Heritage Toronto has expressed reservations about supporting the renaming in
light of the intended honoree's residence being outside Toronto. City Council has previously
the renaming of a park to commemorate the memory of a child who died under tragic
circumstances. At its meeting of June 3, 1982, City Council endorsed the renaming of
Carroll Street Park as Joel Weeks Park in honor of the eight year old boy who died when he
was swept into a manhole.
Contact Name:
Susan Richardson, Director, Development and Support
E-mail:srichard@city.toronto.on.ca
Tel:392-1941
Fax:392-0845
