Jackie Washington Rotary Park (PW03125) - (Ward 2)
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AFFECTS WARD 2 CITY OF HAMILTON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Operations & Maintenance Division Report to: Mayor and Members Submitted by: Peter M. Crockett, P.Eng. Committee of the Whole General Manager Date: August 25, 2003 Prepared by: Alan Dore Extension 4334 SUBJECT: Jackie Washington Rotary Park (PW03125) - (Ward 2) RECOMMENDATION: That the name of "Jackie Washington Rotary Park" for a new park located at 361, 363 and 371 Wellington Street North, Ward 2 be approved. _________________________ Peter M. Crockett, P.Eng. General Manager Public Works EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A park name is required for a new local park that is being created on the former brownfield site located at 361, 363 and 371 Wellington Street North in Ward 2. The neighbourhood was home to one of Hamilton's renowned entertainers, Jackie Washington whose seven-decade career as a performer has enriched the cultural life of Hamilton, and has earned him recognition across Canada. Further, the Rotary Club has generously donated funding for purchase of trees to be planted at this park location. Given the significant contributions made by both Jackie Washington, and the Rotary Club, staff recommends the name of "Jackie Washington Rotary Park" for this site. BACKGROUND: The information/recommendations contained within this report primarily affects Ward 2. The park site is located on Wellington Street North in Ward 2 and is bounded by the CN Rail Lines to the South, Ferguson Avenue North to the West, and Ferrie Street to the North (as outlined in Report PW03125 as Appendix A). The land is a former brownfield site, which has been restored to serve as a park location for local residents. Future SUBJECT: Jackie Washington Rotary Park (PW03125) - (Ward 2) - Page 2 of 3 park design concepts include a multi-purpose court, bocce courts, garden plots, walkways, berms, lighting, tree plantings, parking, a sun shelter, and washrooms. The residents of the North End community, in conjunction with the Ward Councillor, the Rotary Club and City staff entertained a number of park names but concluded that the proposed name of "Jackie Washington Rotary Park" best suited the area in question. As such, staff supports the recommendation from the Neighbourhood Committee, and the Rotary Club, and is seeking Council approval for the same. The policy for the naming of public parks and recreation facilities reserves second preference for the naming of a public place or facility after an individual or recognized organization that has made a "significant contribution to the community, to the City, to the Province or to the Nation." Further, the reputation and contribution of the honouree must be well documented and broadly acknowledged, and permission and agreement must be obtained from all parties involved prior to consideration and review by the department. The proposed name of "Jackie Washington Rotary Park" fulfils the criteria listed above. The significance of " Jackie Washington" and "Rotary" will be discussed below. I. Jackie Washington Jackie Washington is a native Hamiltonian and "north-ender" whose seven-decade career as a performer has enriched the cultural life of Hamilton, and has earned him recognition across Canada. His incredible life has been the subject of a biography written by James Strecker, titled " Jackie Washington, More Than a Blues Singer". Over the course of his career, Jackie has recorded a number of albums including "Blues and Sentimental", "Keeping Out Of Mischief" and "Midnight Choo Choo". Washington was also involved in radio, television, and film having performed on CKOC along with Sonny Johnston as the Personality Boys (1940), on CBC Radio and Television, and having appeared in the movie "Hank Williams - The Show He Never Gave" (1983). Jackie has worked with a number of artists including jazz giants such as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry, songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot and blues men like Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Lonnie Johnson. Washington has been honoured with many awards including the Hamilton Arts Award (1984), induction into Hamilton's Gallery of Distinction (1995), and was awarded highly prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Arts Council. Jackie is a devout performer at Hamilton's historic Festival of Friends, having missed only one of the 20 Festivals of Friends held between 1975 and 1995. He is also a regular at London's Home County Festival. As a child, Jackie attended Bennetto elementary school and resided at various locations in the North End including James Street North, Mary Street and Catharine Street. Further, Jackie worked as a CPR sleeping car attendant, factory worker, washroom attendant and as operator of a shoe shine stand at Fort Erie Racetrack. Given that Washington is a native Hamiltonian and "north-ender", and in honour of his lifelong contribution to the local and Canadian music scene, staff recommends that "Jackie Washington" be included in the official name for the park site located at 361, 363 and 371 Wellington Street North, Ward 2. SUBJECT: Jackie Washington Rotary Park (PW03125) - (Ward 2) - Page 3 of 3 II. Rotary Club The Rotary Club is an organization of business and professional leaders united world- wide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries world-wide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs. The main objective of Rotary is service (in the community and in the workplace). Rotarians develop community service projects that address many critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary Club of Hamilton, based at 112 King Street East has generously donated $12,000 for the purchase of trees to be planted at this park location in commemoration of their centennial anniversary. Given the Rotary Club's contribution to this site, staff recommends that "Rotary" also be included in the naming of this park. Given the significant contributions made by both Jackie Washington, and the Rotary Club, and that their reputations are well documented and broadly acknowledged, and that permission and agreement has been obtained from all parties involved, staff is able to recommend the name of "Jackie Washington Rotary Park" for this site. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES: Alternative park names may be considered at Council's direction. FINANCIAL/STAFFING/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no financial, staffing or legal implications associated with this report. POLICIES AFFECTING PROPOSAL: The proposed park names are consistent with the guidelines contained in the Naming Policy for Public Parks and Recreation Facilities. CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES: Staff consulted with the Ward Councillor, members from the Rotary Club, Mr. Jackie Washington, and the residents of the North End in the drafting of this report. CITY STRATEGIC COMMITMENT: The main objective of the policy for the naming of public parks and recreational facilities is to promote community identity, cultural and natural heritage, contributions of citizens, and to encourage public participation and involvement in community affairs. The proposed name satisfies the objectives of both the policy and Vision 2020. APPENDIX “A” PW03125 Proposed Park Site Mapping Ferrie St. E. Simcoe St. E. Wellington St. N. Ferguson Ave. N. CN Rail Lines Park Site .