DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design
	PREPARED BY:	Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	2004-Feb-17
	SUBJECT:	Park Naming Report

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Development Services Commission Report dated February 17, 2004 entitled “Park Naming Report”, be received;

THAT “Greensborough Village Park” be approved as the official name for the new park at Bur Oak Avenue and Greensborough Village Circle in the Greensborough Community;

AND THAT “Thornhill Meadow Parkette” be approved as the official name for the new parkette at Charles Lane and Sumner Lane in Thornhill.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval in the naming of two new parks within the communities of Greensborough and Thornhill.

BACKGROUND:

In 2003, two new parks were built that require names. As a general practice, new parks are named according to their local geographic or historical significance. In order to create identities for these parks, and to co-ordinate park signage, it is necessary at this time to establish park names.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

In a letter dated June 25, 2003, Albert Bishop, P. Eng., trustee of the Greensborough Land Owners Group, requested that the new park built at Bur Oak Avenue and Greensborough Village Circle in the Greensborough Community be named “Greensborough Village Park”. This name is appropriate because this park will serve as the “village centre” for Greensborough.

Ultimately this park will be surrounded by 4 storey mixed use (residential and commercial)

development creating a dynamic gathering place and focus for this new community.

The Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill (SPOHT) has requested, through the Ward Councillor’s office, that the new parkette at Charles Lane and Sumner Lane in Thornhill be named “Thornhill Meadow Parkette”. This name is appropriate because while this parkette is adjacent to Pomona Mills Park and connected to it by a pathway, it is visually distinct and physically separated from the larger park. This name is recommended by SPOHT because it reflects the serene nature of this particular park and its heritage setting.

The Heritage Section of the Planning Department was consulted with regard to the proposed names and does not have any objections to the requested names.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Town of Markham, Heritage Section in the Planning Department was consulted to provide input into the park naming decision.

ATTACHMENTS:

Letter from Greensborough Landowners Group

Maps

SUMMARY OF PARK NAMES

Working Title	Location	Recommended Name	Comments
Greensborough Town Centre Park	Bur Oak Avenue and Greensborough Village Circle	Greensborough Village Park	The name reflects the geographic location, park function and community where it is located.
St. Vladimir’s Church lands	Charles Lane and Sumner Lane, Thornhill	Thornhill Meadow Parkette	This name recognizes the serene nature of the site and its heritage setting.

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director, Planning and Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

Q:\Development\Design\linda\Parks\Park NamingReport 2004.doc