INGLESIDE, Ontario – The Township of South Stormont has invited the public to offer up a new name for the park in Ingleside.
Currently known as the Ingleside Community Park, the park is located on Farran Dr. in the village of Ingleside and will have a new splashpad opening next week.
Debi LucasSwitzer, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Township said that the idea to allow the public name this park, came after a public clash over another park in Long Sault.
A deal to sell what is known as the Long Sault Park was made in 2015, but was only finalized this year. This past March, a community Facebook group was formed opposing the sale of the park, feeling that they were not adequately consulted. In this case, the development company that purchased the park J.F. Markell Homes Ltd., decided to sell the park back to the community.
LucasSwitzer explained that the Township wanted to promote transparency and clarity after this incident.
“Many people felt that they had not been aware of the processes and situation, and some of the challenge was as a result of the area having several different names, depending on who was speaking,” LucasSwitzer explained to Seaway News. “In an effort to increase awareness of public lands, and to help avoid some confusion around what a public space may be called, it was felt that allowing people to help select the name might be beneficial. This also helps to attach local significance to the space, whether naming it after an individual or special event.”
On the Township’s website, some of the criteria for the new name is outlined.
If the park is to be named after an individual, that individual is to have demonstrated courage or excellent service to either the township, the province or to Canada. The person should also have worked to foster equality and fight discrimination.
The park could also be named after an event of historical significance to the community.
Those who have name ideas that they would like to submit, must do so before the deadline on Aug. 24.
Applications for names can be found here and when completed can be emailed to loriann@southstormont.ca or dropped off at the Town Hall, 2 Mille Roches Rd., Long Sault.
