Revision to Parkland Naming Policy

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (October 27, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

The Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

(1)requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to report directly to Council for its meeting on November 25, 1998, on the inclusion of the following into the Parkland Naming Policy:

"That City Parks and Recreation Staff exercise due diligence in researching and providing detailed background information to members of the local community, including ratepayers' associations and any other interested persons who would have direct input into the naming process.";

(2)forwarded a letter to the Editor of the Beaches Town Crier respecting the denial of a request that a park be named after an individual, to the Task Force on Access and Equity with a request that it determine whether such letter should be forwarded to the Hate Crimes Unit of the Toronto Police Services.

The Economic Development Committee submits the following report (October 27, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

City Council at its meeting of October 1 and 2, 1998 through Report No. 8, Clause No. 16 of Scarborough Community Council and Report No. 11, Clause No.59 of Toronto Community Council further recommended that:

"the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to submit a report to the Economic Development Committee on necessary revisions to the Parkland Naming policy which would ensure that there is direct input into the naming process from Parks officials and the community."

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There is no City funding required with respect to this policy.

Recommendations:

The following addition to paragraph (c) of the existing policy is recommended :

"The consultation will provide opportunities for members of the community, area ratepayers associations, other interested parties and Parks officials to have direct input into the naming process."

Council Reference/Background/History:

The approved policy for parkland naming is as follows :

(2)Where the naming of a park after an individual or group is being recommended, the following criteria should apply :

(a)the contributions of the individual or group must be well documented and broadly acknowledged within the community;

(b)a direct relationship should exist between the place of residence/activity of an individual/group and the park named;

(c)the advice of local residents in close proximity to the park should be secured by means of consultation with the community over a defined area to be carried out by City staff;

(d)the agreement of the individual or next of kin in the case of deceased individuals, and of the duly elected senior representatives, in the case of groups, shall be obtained;

(e)name duplication, similar surrounding or cumbersome names should be avoided. Names which may be interpreted as an advertisement or being either discriminatory or connoting political affiliation must not be used;

(f)existing parks named after individuals shall not be altered or changed;

(g)the advice of the relative municipal heritage organization shall be obtained; and

(h)the process of naming and renaming parks should be within the purview of the Community Councils to recommend.

The following addition to the approved paragraph (c) will satisfy and comply with the above noted amendment :

"The consultation will provide opportunities for members of the community, area ratepayers associations, other interested parties and Parks officials to have direct input into the naming process."

Conclusions:

The policy, with addition to paragraph (c), provides opportunities for non-traditional naming of parks and assures the involvement of all interested parties.

Contact Name:

Frank Kershaw

Telephone: 392-8199

Facsimile: 392-3355

(A copy of Clause No. 1 of Report No. 6 of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, headed "Proposed Policy for Renaming of Parks", as adopted by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on July 8, 9 and 10, 1998, appended to the foregoing report, was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Economic Development Committee for its meeting on November 16, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)