CITY CLERK

Clause embodied in Report No. 7 of the Midtown Community Council, as adopted by the Council of the City of at its meeting held on September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003.

3

Renaming of Davisville Park, Ward 22 to "June Rowlands Park" (St. Paul's - Ward 22)

(City Council on September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003, adopted the following recommendation:

“It is recommended that City Council adopt the supplementary report dated September 23, 2003, from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, embodying the following recommendations:

‘It is recommended that:

(1) Economic Development Culture and Tourism proceed with the recommendation by Midtown Community Council to rename Davisville Park to June Rowlands Park, in accordance with the Naming and Renaming Policy for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Parks; and

(2) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.’ ”)

The Midtown Community Council recommends that Council consider a report from the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, on renaming “Davisville Park” to “June Rowlands Park”.

The Midtown Community Council advises having requested the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to submit a report directly to Council.

The Midtown Community Council submits the following communication (August 25, 2003) from Councillor Michael Walker:

Recommendation:

That the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be directed to submit a report to the upcoming City Council meeting on September 22, 23 and 24, 2003 on the renaming of Davisville Park to “June Rowlands Park”.

Background:

Ms. June Rowlands was the first woman elected as and held the office from 1991 to 1994. Ms. Rowlands was a Toronto City Councillor for between 1976 2 Midtown Community Council September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003 Report No. 7, Clause No. 3 and 1988. She was the first female TTC Commissioner, the first female chair of the Toronto Police Commission and also served as the City’s Budget Chief.

Davisville Park is an appropriate site to honour Ms. Rowlands given its location in the former Ward 10 that Ms. Rowlands represented through all her years at City Hall. In addition, Ms. Rowlands lived just south of the park for 14 years where she raised her family and contributed to her community.

June Rowlands has not as yet been formally recognized for her dedication to the City of Toronto and I believe that it is now time to recognize her outstanding contributions to our City and the well being of its citizens. The Culture Division, of EDCT, supports the renaming request.

I will be pleased to assist the Parks and Recreation Division in communicating with the area residents to obtain support for the renaming request to June Rowlands Park.

______

The Midtown Community Council also had before it a communication (May 5, 2003) from Howard Brown.

(City Council at its meeting on September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003, had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Clause, the following report (September23, 2003) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

To report to Council on the recommendation for the proposed renaming of Davisville Park to June Rowlands Park.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications associated with the adoption of this report

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) Economic Development Culture and Tourism proceed with the recommendation by Midtown Community Council to rename Davisville Park to June Rowlands Park in accordance with the Naming and Renaming Policy for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Parks; and

(2) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Toronto City Council 3 Midtown Community Council September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2003 Report No. 7, Clause No. 3

Background:

A motion was accepted at Midtown Community Council, September 9, 2003 to rename Davisville Park to June Rowlands Park. A brief biography of June Rowlands was presented as a part of the motion.

Comments:

Parks and Recreation staff are now in the process of fulfilling the nine criteria set out in the policy, a requirement once the naming and renaming of a park or recreation facilitiy after an individual or group has been recommended.

Staff are researching the historical context of the Davisville name by visiting Toronto archives as well as trying to contact family members. Also, the residential area surrounding the park is being investigated in order to establish the relationship of the name to the proximity. Community consultation will also occur as per the requirements of the policy.Once staff have fulfilled the requirements in the policy, a report will be forwarded to the next scheduled meeting of the Midtown Community Council.

Conclusions:

Staff from Parks and Recreation on behalf of the Commissioner of Economic Development Culture and Tourism are proceeding with the proposed renaming process for the Davisville Park, and a report on the outcome will be forwarded to the next scheduled meeting of the Midtown Community Council.

Contact:

Claire Tucker-Reid General Manager Parks and Recreation Tel. 416. 392-8182 Fax.416. 392-8565 Email:[email protected])