Back to SearchThe City of St. Catharines is seeking feedback from the community on the re-naming of Centennial Gardens and some of its amenities.
Public engagement has started on EngageSTC, following City Council’s request to initiate the public process to rename the park, located at 321 Oakdale Ave. Councillors asked that Richard Pierpoint Park be included as one of the options for the name. Pierpoint, considered one of Canada’s most famous black loyalists, spent much of his adult life in St. Catharines after receiving a land grant that included some of the property which is known today as Centennial Gardens. Council also asked that consideration be given to ways to recognize Canada’s centennial and the creation of the park, such as naming a park asset like the pavilion, as well as consideration for additional recognition in the park for the Indigenous community.
The public engagement process is part of the City’s naming policy on parks, trails and recreation facilities. The public call for names is followed by another public consultation on a list of select submitted names, before a recommendation goes back to Council.
“The City recognizes the names of our amenities and attractions have a significant influence on the sense of community, so the opportunity for the public to offer its ideas and feedback is an important part of the process,” said Eric Lamothe, the City’s manager of business planning and strategic services.
The City encourages names that reflect and acknowledge the area’s history, heritage and environment through a transparent, equitable and efficient naming policy. The policy prioritizes names in the following order:
1. Civic or historical significance;
2. Location or features;
3. Significant individuals, families, organizations and foundations.
Residents have until Tuesday, July 13, at 3 p.m. to submit their ideas. Once all suggestions have been received, staff will review the names and is expected to seek further input on any specific names potentially being considered in August. For more details and to share your ideas, visit www.engageSTC.ca/centennialrenaming.
Contact:
citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca
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