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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-064 - Queen Elizabeth II Park Naming RequestREPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: August 13, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations (ext. 4657) PREPARED BY: Dan Ritz, Supervisor Design & Development (ext. 4348) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: August 8, 2012 REPORT NO.: INS-12-064 SUBJECT:Queen Elizabeth II Park Naming Request RECOMMENDATION: That no action be taken with respect to the Monarchist League of Canada’s request to rename the park with lands fronting onto Queen Street North commonly referred to as Civic Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park in honour of the Diamond Jubilee of our Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II. BACKGROUND: On April 23, 2012, Mr. Bradley Barbour representing the Monarchist League of Canada appeared at Council as a delegation and requested that the City of Kitchener name a city park in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, in celebrate of the Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary of accession) of our Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II. On June 11, 2012, staff brought forward the request to rename the park lands fronting onto Queen Street North commonly referred to as Civic Centre Park to "Queen Elizabeth II Park” for consideration (Report INS-12-046). Council directed staff to complete and internal and external circulation for input into the naming of the park and to report back on August 13, 2012 with a recommendation as well as other potential naming opportunities. The park fronts onto Queen Street North, Ahrens Street East & Otto Street and lies within the Civic District next to Centre in the Square, the Kitchener Public Library and Regional, Provincial & Federal offices. The site is presently zoned Mackenzie King Square (D-7) and has been identified in the city property inventory as Civic Centre Park, also informally as Civic Park. The site at the larger context has also been referred to Mackenzie King Square. The park includes a playground, mature trees and lawn area for the local neighbourhood and is also the home of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial. City Policy I-475 Naming/Renaming – Corporate Facilities, provides consistent criteria and a process for the selection of names for, or the renaming of, corporate facilities in the City of Kitchener. Typically, park names are named after street frontages or other geographic significance, in some cases a historical event or connection, and occasionally in recognition of an individual’s outstanding accomplishments. ïé ó ï Throughout 2012, staff has also worked with representatives from the Monarchist League of Canada to provide other recognition opportunities for the Diamond Jubilee. All street signs along Jubilee Drive at Victoria Park have been updated with the Diamond Jubilee logo. Also, this fall a commemorative bench, with plaque and a tree will be installed near the Queen Victoria statue in Victoria Park in recognition of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. REPORT: On June 4, 2012 staff commenced the input period regarding the request to rename Civic Centre Park. Circulation by way of electronic notices to internal and external stakeholder, hand delivered notices to neighbourhood residents, public media release and notice signs at the park all invited input through our online survey or comment form (Attachment A). This input period concluded on July 3, 2012. The online survey/comment form included four questions: 1. Do you support renaming Civic Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park? If it is decided that Civic Centre Park is not renamed in honour of Queen Elizabeth II: 2. What civic feature should be named to recognize the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee? 3. What should Civic Centre Park be formally named? 4. Please provide any additional comments. Online Survey / Comment Form Results A total of 370 residents or stakeholders responded to the circulation through utilizing the online survey, mailing in comment forms or by email. Civic Question 1 - Do you support renaming Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park? 40% (147 responses) indicated (YES) support for the name change to Queen Elizabeth II Park, while 56% (207 responses) indicate (NO) they did not support the name change; from the additional comments, the NO response seems to suggest a split between support for other park names and/or a dissatisfaction of the monarchy. Another 5% (20 responses) had no comment (N/C) on the matter. ïé ó î Question 2 - What civic feature should be named to recognize the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee? A total of 129 responses were provided as potential features for recognition of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee, those with more than five (5) repeat responses include: Victoria Park Lake (9) Something in Victoria Park (9) Park, Trail or Natural Area (8) City Hall Square or Fountain (7) Question 3 - What should Civic Centre Park be formally named? A total of 322 responses were provides to this question with 51% (161 responses) indicating no alternate suggestion. A variation of 4 different responses were combined to indicate 24% support for renaming to Firefighter Memorial Park (Fire Fighter’s Memorial Park -45, Fire Fighter’s Park -15, Fallen Fire Fighter’s Park -8 and Memorial Park -10). Civic Centre Park received 11% support (36 responses), with all other names at less than 5%. For comparison, the 163 “No Alternate Suggestion” was removed and the 147 “Yes” respondents from question 1 were inserted into the graph (below) in order to weigh against the submitted names from question 3. Staff does not see this as a statistically accurate comparison as the survey questions did not have a short list of predetermined names, however, the high percentage of “No Alternate Suggestions” could suggest a relationship to the “YES” respondents. ïé ó í Question 4 - Additional Comments A total of 113 additional comments were provided (Attachment D). Comments ranged from passionate support for recognition of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, indifference to the monarchy, support for the efforts of the Fire Fighter’s and leave the park name as-is. The Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association (KPFFA) formally submitted their position by letter dated July 4, 2012 (Attachment B). The KPFFA support the concept of recognition of the Diamond Jubilee but oppose renaming Civic Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park. Their efforts have “transform Civic Centre Park into a living vibrant and enjoyable memorial that members of our community and the surviving family members would feel comfort in visiting despite their immense personal loss.” The KPFFA recommend that other options for the recognition of Queen Elizabeth II be explored and that should the park be renamed, that the name “Firefighter Memorial Park” be considered in recognition of our community’s fallen firefighters. In reply to the inquiry as to whether the Kitchener Public Library could name a room at the renovated Main Branch, there were 4 responses from the 129 naming responses to Question 2. The Library Board by memorandum has indicated that they are in the midst of their fund raising campaign and preserving these opportunities is vital (Attachment C). In summary, of the 370 responses, there is marginal support for the “Queen Elizabeth II Park” name (147 respondents) and some endorsement for the “Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park” name (78 respondents); staff recommends no action be taken to rename Civic Centre Park. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Community Priorities: Quality of Life & Dynamic Downtown FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Installation of new park signage and/or dedication sign: $1,000.00 donation from Mr. Barbour, additional in-kind city costs to be determined. Mr. Barbour indicates that he will be responsible for associated costs pertaining to the organization and invitations for an official Queen Elizabeth II Park naming ceremony in the fall of 2012. The city can assist with communication of the event. ïé ó ì COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: As per Policy I-475, staff have circulated the park re-naming request electronically to internal and external stakeholders, hand delivered notices to the adjacent neighbourhood, public media release, web page update, online survey and notice signs at the park. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO (Infrastructure Services Department) ïé ó ë ATTACHMENT A: Circulation Letter / Comment Form ïé ó ê ïé ó é ïé ó è ïé ó ç ATTACHMENT B: Letter, Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association ïé ó ïð ïé ó ïï ATTACHMENT C: Memorandum, Kitchener Public Library ïé ó ïî ATTACHMENT D: Question 4 – Additional Comments 1I think that renaming the park in honour of our Queen is the least we the city of Kitchener can do to recognize the decades of service Her Majesty has given to Canada. 2The area is not, to the best of my knowledge, legally designated as a park. Until the planning for that purpose is completed and its impact on the approved Civic District master plan, naming of the area is premature. 3This really isn't something city staff should be spending much time on, it's considered by some to be a waste of tax payers’ dollars. 4The British monarchy is of limited relevance to Canada and Kitchener. William Lyon Mackenzie King is a local son who became our Prime Minister. We should name this park or the adjacent future urban square in his honour as this immediate area has a strong governmental theme. 5It is a further tribute to our fallen firefighters to have their memorial in Queen Elizabeth park. also lets pave the pathways and make this park truly accessible to all the crushed stone gets very muddy etc. in the rain 6I like the idea that a civic feature should be named to recognize our Queen, maybe you could have a sculpture contest or commission something in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. 7With all due respect to the Queen and the Monarchist League of Canada, our firefighters have served and accomplished more in our community than the Monarchy ever has or will. Firefighters protect our families and volunteer in the community. I live in this neighbourhood and frequent this park with my son often and it is already commonly known as the Firefighters Park. We need to honour these men and women in the community and what better way to do it than by naming a park that already informally holds their name. Furthermore, the City nor the Monarchist League should be concerned that we don't have enough civic features name after the Monarchy (eg. Victoria Park, Queen Elizabeth P.S., King Edward P.S.). 8I am not opposed to naming a park or other common area in honour of Queen Elizabeth; however this park should not be part of that discussion. In fact, I feel quite strongly that the park should be formally named in honour of our firefighters, who have a much larger impact on our city than a monarch. 9I am assuming the question 1 is incorrect. But I am not sure of that. 10I believe renaming this park is an inappropriate and displaced celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. I am married to a firefighter and it is commemorative and very touching to have the City of Kitchener honour fallen firefighters in this way. With the recent addition of the 9/11 memorial monument I think renaming the park to the Firefighter's Memorial Park would be the most logical and appropriate renaming. I have to admit I didn't realize that it was named the Civic Centre Park, so I agree with the action to rename it. And let's face it; people already call it the "firefighter park" already. 11No comment 12A lot of good reasons have been given for naming it for our Queen. However, it seems like such a small, plain, and insignificant park compared to Victoria Park. I'm wondering, is this the best we've got? 13It is important that the fallen Firefighters and those who died in the World Trade Centre are recognized with a park dedicated to them, not just given a statue tucked away in a park named after the Queen. She is an icon, but we already have named Jubilee Drive in her honour. 14Has anyone asked the firefighters association their opinion? 15You may consider dedicating a portion of Victoria Park for Queen Elizabeth. 16Everyone calls it the FIREFIGHTER park, make it official 17We have a significant amount of streets, parks etc. named after the royal family. I would prefer not to continue to glorify the monarchy - perhaps we could start naming things after Canadians who have had a significant impact on this area rather than British people who haven't! (to give context for my remark, I am Canadian but was born in England) 18I do not support spending money to give such a permanent honour to a monarch who has no real function in Kitchener. We should be building our own legacy and honouring local contributors. 19I just feel that dedicating this lovely park to those who have dedicated their lives to serving others, is more important than to the Queen. I live across the street and enjoy this park daily with my dogs. 20Queen Elizabeth Park II is wonderful, I agree with what it represents but it's just too long! Jubilee Park is something with meaning, will represent the Queen appropriately but is a name that the community won't hesitate to use! 21Civic Centre Park has always been referred to as the Firefighters Park by area residents since the statue, playground, benches, memorial stone at the entrance, memorial services, etc. all have to do with or were provided by firefighters. This was a poor and disrespectful decision to consider renaming the park after all the work that has been done to provide this jewel in the neighbourhood. 22This park was given to Honour Kitchener's Finest that have served our community and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It has a piece of the World Trade Centre to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, as well as a gorgeous world class ïé ó ïí monument to those who serve and have served in Kitchener as well as around the world for their communities and risk their lives every day so that you and citizens like you are safe in your communities from tragedy of fire, sickness, and injury resulting from a multitude of different sources. The park also includes an educational fire themed playground for children. None of these point to anything to do with Queen Elizabeth II. Leave this to something in Victoria Park; maybe name the Lake after her. This Civic Centre park should be left to the purpose it currently serves. Anything else would be an insult and hurtful to our brave and unselfish firefighters in Kitchener, Canada and around the world. 23Please don't name the civic centre park after the queen. 24We don't need another link to the monarchy. That would be celebrating class division, racism, murder, conquest, and the oppression of millions. I would hate to think I live in a city that honours these things. 25I really can't believe the city is spending money on such a frivolous thing as this. 26I feel there are plenty of local personalities who would be better honoured by the City of Kitchener than a monarch for whom namings are essentially meaningless pomp. 27I truly wonder if the people spearheading the name change for this park would be so energetic if it was still considered what local ward residents used to refer to as "dog s**t park" (We were told by members of the ward association, this name derived from the fact that dog owners would frequently walk their animals through the green space and decline removing any extra material that may have been left behind). If the Kitchener Firefighters had not refurbished the park with vast inputs from city staff, council, local citizens, private enterprise and charitable organizations the park would be still just that. How about naming one of the new parks in one of the new subdivisions. With all due respect to Queen Elizabeth II, do we not have enough royal associations already? Can we not have anything that is just Canadian? 28The park has nothing to do with the Queen, royalty, or the commonwealth. It is filled with tributes to fallen firefighters, both local and from NYC on 9/11. Please do not rename it after our Queen. It would be a huge slap in the face to the emergency service workers who risk and who have risked their lives for this community, let alone, who have paid for everything to be in the park that stands there today. 29Any effort spent honouring the Queen or even acknowledging her is wasted and perpetuates the most oppressive institution in modern history. 30The Civic Centre Park is a fire themed park and is there to recognize firefighters and remember the fallen firefighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our community. 31No Comment 32It's about time we recognize our own civic leadership in this century. 33The fire fighter memorial is there. To change the name would be an insult to past and present members of the firefighter association. These men and women give and have given much for this small plot of land....Do the right thing Kitchener and explain to this group of misinformed people of ultimate sacrifice. 34Why name something else for the Queen? As if she'll even notice/care. 35See above 36It should be named after a local person. The queen already has enough things named after her. 37I would personally be disappointed if it was names after the Queen. 38Firefighters deserve the respect of a park; useless old monarchic structures do not. The Queen would not pull you or a child from a burning building. 39Queen Elizabeth II and her family have not risked their lives to serve the people of Kitchener. None of them have died saving the lives and property of this city's citizens. The memorial to the fallen fire fighters of Kitchener is in this park. That is who it should be named after. 40This park was given to honour Kitchener's Finest that have served our community and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It has a piece of the World Trade Centre to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, as well as a gorgeous world class monument to those who serve and have served in Kitchener as well as around the world for their communities and risk their lives every day so that you and citizens like you are safe in your communities from tragedy of fire, sickness, and injury resulting from a multitude of different sources. The park also includes an educational fire themed playground for children. None of these point to anything to do with Queen Elizabeth II. Leave this to something in Victoria Park, maybe name the Lake after her. This Civic Centre park should be left to the purpose it currently serves. 41It would be shameful to name a civic feature after a Diamond Jubilee that is currently representing the honour and bravery of the men and women who serve the public with their lives. 42Do we absolutely need to rename a park after the queen when the park has already had so much money, time, and dedication put into it to remember fallen heroes? 43I use live close by and use this park often. it will always be Firefighter Park to all of us in this area 44Makes no sense to change the name to Queen Elizabeth II when it is clearly a park to remember fallen fire fighters. ïé ó ïì 45I have no objection to the City of Kitchener recognizing the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee but I feel that Civic Centre Park is not the appropriate choice for this recognition. The Firefighter Memorial is the main feature of this park and the name of the park should recognize the ultimate sacrifice that those firefighter's whose names are etched on the bronze helmets have made for our community. For this reason I do not think Civic Centre Park is the appropriate choice for recognizing the Diamond Jubilee. 46There are lots of new parks being built that could get named Queen Elizabeth II. 47There are many new green spaces being created in our City that would be more appropriate to name in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. Maybe a beautiful space by the Lake in our own existing Victoria Park, as a fitting tribute to the two longest serving female monarchs. Growing up with my grandmother's house on Ellen Street across from the Centre in the Square and the Provincial Court; my father's office being located there; and he (and my uncle) having been raised in that house, I always referred to the park (at the corner of Queen Street and the end Margaret Avenue) as Civic Centre Park. As a growing adult, with children of my own, it was my children who began referring to it by the name of the "the Firefighter’s Park". With the erection of prominent memorial, I began also referring to it as the “Firefighter’s Park” to show respect for the sacrifices made for complete strangers by those men and women. At the time, I grasped the importance of instilling that dedication and the importance of those “heroes” into my children, but it was not until later in life that we all realized the irony of this. My life, now, is that of a firefighter’s partner. My children’s, that of a firefighter’s children. They now understand the importance, of that park, the beautiful monument as a focal point, the gravity of that one piece of steel. We attend the park often: to play; to visit and pay respect to the names we know; to honour the dedication of those we do not; to attend memorials and quietly watch processions. We honour many “important” people in our Cities and Region, famous people; historic people. That is our history, and without a strong history, we have no future. However, the importance of honouring those who live and work in our Region, who deserve every moment to be appreciated, thanked, and held in the highest regard as true “heroes” is no less important in our City. The park is a fundamental part of this, and a community/City and Regional showing of our appreciation, indebtedness and gratitude. Our firefighters quietly move among us and exist in our lives, whether we recognize it or not, and we rarely stop to offer genuine gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifices. The park should be named the Firefighter Memorial Park, we can find somewhere else to honour the Queen, and let our local heroes, finally, and “officially” have “their” park. A place where we, as a City, can respect, honour, and show our appreciation. A place where the families and co- workers of the fallen can continue to attend, and know they will never be forgotten, or “overshadowed”. 48It is not appropriate to rename this after a monarch when it was set aside as an area to commemorate fallen firefighters. 49Memorial Park to honour firefighters that have served and fallen for the City of Kitchener. To go along with the memorial statue and playground. 50The park already has a name and a very significant purpose; this must be taken into consideration if renaming the park is at issue. 51Please focus on reasoned arguments when making your decision. 52To honour and respect that Canada has been formed by a rich history is something that all Canadians need to remember. Despite how we may feel regarding the current role that the monarchy may play in our day to day lives, we should respect and honour Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. 53This should not be a debate; this is at the end of the day our Head of State and Queen of Canada. 54This park was given to Honour Kitchener's Finest that have served our community and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It has a piece of the World Trade Centre to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, as well as a gorgeous world class monument to those who serve and have served in Kitchener as well as around the world for their communities and risk their lives every day so that you and citizens like you are safe in your communities from tragedy of fire, sickness, and injury resulting from a multitude of different sources. The park also includes an educational fire themed playground for children. None of these, point to anything to do with Queen Elizabeth II. Leave this to something in Victoria Park; maybe name the Lake after her. This Civic Centre park should be left to the purpose it currently serves. Anything else would be an insult and hurtful to our brave and unselfish firefighters in Kitchener, Canada and around the world. 55I think we should have a park named after Queen Elizabeth for her diamond jubilee. We did it for Queen Victoria so I don't see why we can't for this monarch as well. 56No objection 57PLEASE, as a tax paying member of this community, a resident in the Central Frederick Neighbourhood and an avid downtown supporter, do not name this park after the queen. 58The city needs to honour our Head of State on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee!!! 59Please ensure that the park is clean, secure and bright at night so that we don't end up with "Gang fight at Queen Elizabeth II Park" as a headline in the newspaper. Thank you. 60The Monarchy is an integral part of Canadian life, and Her Majesty has been an exemplar of service 61Imagine, many years down the road, families hanging out at Queen Elizabeth II Park, reading a plaque and remembering our greatest monarch and the inspiration to service that she has brought our country. ïé ó ïë 62She's the Head of State for God's sake. 63After the years of work and effort the firefighters have made to bring the park to where it is today it should be known as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park. The memorial that is there already has a tremendous amount of meaning to so many people in the firefighting community and their families. I'm angry that someone would suggest renaming the park to something other than what should already be a focal point and a symbol of pride in our community. 64This is a silly suggestion to rename the park after Queen Elizabeth. We have many members of our community who are contributed much more than the Queen. 65It is time we recognize the lifelong service the Queen has given to all in the commonwealth - including Canada. We cannot re-write history, and we cannot let personal feelings get in the way of facts. I also live in the area and would hope homeowners in the area have a say in what is happening in their neighbourhood! 66Congratulations on HRH Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee.... but since Canadians work so hard and have come so far, we should honour ourselves first. 67The Canadian monarchy is interwoven into not only the country's current constitutional order and, therefore, the nation's modern identity, but also its history, having been, in its various guises, a part of Canada and its ancestral forms for more than 500 years. A lasting marker in Kitchener of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II will not only honour a woman who has served (and personified) Canada for 60 years (though some fairly turbulent (the Quiet Revolution) and tumultuous times (constitutional patriation, Quebec separation referenda), but will also further enrich the long-extant tapestry of royal symbolism spread across this country, which we see in visual and verbal markers: crowns on crests, royal names to monuments and geographic features, and the like. 68Half of Canadian residents are now anti-monarchist. The Royal family has no bearing on the day-to-day lives of Canadians and, specifically, the City of Kitchener. Further to that, I don't see how the name change properly complements the existing firefighter tributes. 69The monarchy is an integral part of Canadian society and identity, and our Queen's 60 years of service should be celebrated. This park is a prime opportunity for this. 70I think the suggestion to name this park in honour of the Queen's Jubilee is an excellent one. 71Rename Gaukel street for her, it leads to the park from city hall. We already have Victoria St. Queen St, Duke St, Elizabeth Street. 72Leave the name of the park alone..... 73I am shocked that anyone would oppose this. 74History is important and so is respect. 75No comment 76Civic park is in Kitchener and the name should reflect Kitchener. It would mean more to the local community then it would to the Queen. 77This is an ideal time to rename the Civic Park. We need to remember that we do indeed have a Queen of Canada, and the arrangement has served us well. 78Change City Hall, where the Ice Rink is located to: - 'Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Centre'. 79The park currently is used as a wonderful park to remember the fallen firefighters that have served the world and especially our community! 80There also is a plaque honouring William Lyon Mackenzie King. This plaque was erected by the Ontario Archeological and Historical Sites Board. As well, the park is being reconfigured in connection with the library reconstruction, and is a work in progress. The downtown park is known commonly as Victoria Park, without mention of the Queen for whom it was named. 81No Comment 82My family refers to it as Mackenzie King Square and is one local visionary of many who shaped Kitchener into what it is today. 83If we got rid of the Firefighters statue we could name QEII but that's not going to happen. 84City officials also referred to it as MK Square. But we called it MKS long before that. IF there is going to be a name change it should reflect LOCAL names AND as it is now, which I hoped the "earmarked for development" land would be safe when it got an official looking playground, and the memorials. For decades this has been a place with A PARK BENCH, a Green space with grass and trees. Always "earmarked for development”: it’s a small park and should stay that way. There are plenty of areas that need development also still waiting decades later. It seems the city is refusing to post on one of the Queen St. signs after her. But this is the most logical. For my life I have only known it as a park, and as MKS, my brother in his 40s also only knew this as MKS. Not a lot of people care about the Queen WHY is Canada independent of Britain then force such celebrations on the masses? Living a long life is not an accomplishment. ïé ó ïê 85What happened to all the trees? A whole bunch was just cut down. 86Hoping council moves forward with this naming opportunity. 87The Monarchy is not important anymore. 88If the park maintenance improves at this location to honor the renaming of the park, then i fully support the name change. If the maintenance of this park does not improve, I feel the City and Council would look bad as the current state of this park would be a disgrace to her majesty. 89I am a resident at XX Ellen St. East and overlook the park, most days I walk through the park and enjoy the mature trees. It is most fitting to name this park "Queen Elizabeth II Park. I am a Canadian veteran of the RCAF and the Canadian Army and hold a commission from Queen Elizabeth II in both of the branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. 90The Kitchener Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Committee has reconvened to discuss and respond on the Park renaming request is providing you with our formal response. After taking a bit of time in deliberation and reviewing our collective thoughts & feelings, present & past we can tell you that we are unanimously opposed to this proposed Queen Elizabeth II renaming, and feel that a QEII designation would be most suitably served within a feature or element located within/near Victoria Park which already has natural, historic and prominent ties to the monarchy. This Committee, FF's and several community partners worked thousands of hours, and donated +$300,000 in all features/elements to not only build a world class, international design award winning monument (Protecting The Memory) to honour this community’s fallen firefighters, but also most importantly to ensure it transformed to become a living, vibrant enjoyable downtown park that young & old, neighbour, workers, visitors and something the surviving family members would feel comfort and joy in visiting despite their immense personal loss. This has been accomplished and annually a Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day ensures the loss of their loved one sacrificed protecting their community will not be forgotten. "Firefighter Memorial Park" helps to protect that and recognizes all efforts past, present and future. Civic Centre Park was hand-picked by our committee and the artist as a suitable location for the monument and all the associated or non-associated features we worked hard to develop and donated to the citizens of Kitchener. An important consideration for us was that there were/are no competing elements within the park and we see that changing with a Queen Elizabeth II designation. Even the playground is fire-themed. The sculpture, bronze commemorative fire helmets, World Trade Center 9-11 artifact and related signage, were indeed donated by us, however we wanted to ensure awareness that there are other items that we provided whole or in part; concrete base/pad & granite features, $75,000 custom-designed fire themed playground, 3 of the 5 ornamental pathway light standards, plus all feature spotlighting, electrical construction, refurbished/installed industrial fire extinguisher artifact, and 5 custom Hauser park benches. We very strongly feel that given this and that several of our communities' firefighters sacrificed/died in serving their community that "Firefighter Memorial Park" is indeed a very suitable name. 91I would be comfortable with the park remaining as the Civic Centre Park or as the Fallen Firefighters Park. I would also be open to the park being renamed in honour of a local family with strong ties to the City of Kitchener. I do not agree with renaming the park in honour of The Queen. 92The current "Civic Centre" Park is not a suitable site for being re-named QEII Park because it is a poorly designed space with a growing number of firefighter memorials. The space would need to be redeveloped/re-designed to make it suitable for re- naming QEII Park. 93I think this is dumb and a dishonour to rename or call the park anything different than something for our Kitchener Fireman. Name it after our fallen fire fighters...Don't we have much bigger fish to fry (eg. 120 million dollar debt in the city) than worrying about naming a park after Queen Elizabeth who'll never even step foot in the park??? Our firefighters have worked hard in the past; many have died (cancers, etc.) because of fires within the City (eg. the horticultural fire on Hayward/Ardelt). They have represented us well as City employees/firefighters...let's recognize them! 94With the firefighters memorial located in the park it should be called Firefighter's Memorial Park. These firefighters lost their lives due to job related illnesses. They were City of Kitchener employees. They should be honoured with a park in their memory. If people knew how these men suffered with their diseases (for years) there would be no doubt in naming this park for the firefighters. 95no comment 96This park is already well-known for its Firefighter's Memorial, which is celebrated and fallen firefighters are honoured there every year through the plaques, symbols and ceremonies. I think it's confusing and demeaning to change the focus. 97I'd support renaming it firefighter's memorial park too. 98No comment 99I support the proposal to rename Civic Centre Park in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. I was raised in Kitchener but now live in another part of Waterloo Region. I had to look up on a city map to find out where Civic Centre Park is because I thought it was the area at City Hall (Civic Centre). I think renaming Civic Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park would help visitors and residents distinguish the area from other areas named "civic", especially since Kitchener has a history of moving its civic centre from one place to another! Naming the park after the Queen also makes sense since it is located on Queen St. As for a long-time-ago suggestion to name the park after Mackenzie King, we already have Woodside Park honouring his childhood home. We don't need to have another area named for him. 100Do not rename the park anything that would detract from the importance of the firefighters' memorial. ïé ó ïé 101I feel a park named to remember our fallen Firefighters and celebrating those still serving our community helps to education our young ones about the value of community service and protection. We already have a school named for Queen Elizabeth. 102With redevelopment of the Kitchener downtown core, renaming the Civic Centre Park outside of any relevance to that vision and/or direction seems inappropriate. 103No comments 104Hey ! I live close to the park. Are you able to do more than a name change? How about making a few changes to reflect this name change. Since is a queen's park and since we are on queen's street - how about a dramatic adding of London- style features like wrought iron fencing -and silver accents instead of the usual Buckingham gold . I have other design ideas just let me know if you would like more input - obviously we would have to figure in the 911 memorial and the actual play area . 105This park already has an identity issues. Civic Centre Park, Mackenzie King Park, Firemens' Park. 106I do not think renaming the park is an honor for the Queen. It is unkempt, garbage always overflowing, the flower bed is dead and a pile of wood chips have been there for months. The lawn along Queen street has never been edged. The only time it looks halfway decent is when the firemen clean the park for their annual service. Naming the park after the Queen in my opinion would be a dishonor to her majesty. 107I received your Name Request and am a resident who lives on Ahrens Street. I would support the name change for our Mackenzie King, Civic Centre. Firefighters Park. It is most appropriate for the name to be Queen Elizabeth Park in honor of our Queen for her Diamond Jubilee. I also would request none of our Park be lost in the construction to take place in that area. The Park is used regularly by all ages in our community. 108I have no disrespect for British royalty but feel we need to grow up and get more self confidence in this country. It would almost seem we are ashamed of promoting Canada and Canadians. My firm opinion is totally in opposition to any more streets, parks etc. be named after British Royalty. Enough is enough --- If the monarchist society is so enamored with royalty there is a place for them to go. Canada should be for Canadians. Are we so insecure in this country that we do not have Canadians intelligent and worthy enough to be considered. The U.S. has many problems but if you will take note they are all very proud of being American simply because they are masters of their own destiny and do not have a head of state that is from a foreign country. Any U.S. citizen can become president ---a far cry from our sad situation. 109I was distressed to receive your letter because I am tired of civic engagement and taxpayer dollars in Canada being used to support the British Monarchy. It doesn’t represent our country or its citizens and the City of Kitchener should take a leadership role in refusing to let our society be reduced to the pathetic role of admirers/lapdogs of the House of Windsor any longer. 110I am emailing you regarding the issue of naming the Civic Centre Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park. I do not see why this park should keep its very generic name rather than be changed to one which honours our Queen, the Queen of Canada (not some foreign figurehead as Councillor Janecki seems to have suggested). I think that as the Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne it is only appropriate to honour her in this way. I ask Councillors Janecki and Etherington to rethink their position on this issue and to come out in support of it, as so many others have. I hope you will come to the proper decision which honours our heritage, traditions, and current monarch. 111Hello, I was very dismayed to read that two of your councillors don't feel that our Queen is part of our unique Canadian identity. One stated that Her Majesty was foreign to Canadians. If this is so I was wondering if I should be attending Kriskindl with my friends and family? It is starting to sound rather foreign to me... or is it possible that this, too, is, also, part of our heritage? Let me know if I should start boycotting these kind of "foreign" celebrations. I wouldn't want to be a part of anything not "Canadian". Or is it just possible that our Canada embraces all our history and diversities. Thank-you for your time 112I would like to write to the council to voice my support of the naming of "civic centre" Park to Queen Elizabeth II Park. Her Majesty has loyally served Canada as its Queen for 60 years now and it is only fitting she be honoured in some way by our city. 113This is disgusting! A slap in the face that some have even brought this up. 1st funding cut by the Federal govt to Woodside now this with local govt. Seem the same old same old when it comes to local history, we tear it down, or try to, and cover up the evidence. The name should remain the same, many don't care about the queen, I am one of them. The park has a name linked to our local history. I have always known it as Mackenzie King Square. Put a plaque in the park with THIS NAME. IT IS a park it has the firefighters memorial, 9/11 beam (a very rare honour), and a playground. IT is too small to really develop on. As for being earmarked for development, IT is a park it should remain a park. We need such green spaces, and over the decades has always been "marked for development", and was used as a park. Just proves we need the green space. There are plenty of nearby areas waiting to be developed such as Margaret ave, or old factories/factory land which have been sitting empty for several decades "earmarked for development". IF you want to add a sign for Queen Elizabeth, post it under a Queen st sign or put another plaque in Victoria Park. ïé ó ïè