HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-43-90TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT File #
Res. #
By -Law #
STING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
U- 1990
REPORT #: CS -43 -90
FILE #:
2' H -
POLICY PARK NAMING
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose &
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:-
1. That Report No. CS -43 -90 be received; and
2. That the attached Park Naming Policy be endorsed.
1.0 BACKGROUND:
1.1 Prior to the formation of the Town of Newcastle, the various
Villages and Hamlets which now comprise the Town had little
need to identify their local park. Local recreational needs
were for the most part met within each community and the
naming and signing of parks was unnecessary.
2.0 COMMENTS:
2.1 With regionalization in 1974 which incorporated approximately
235 square miles to form the Town of Newcastle and with the
rapid growth experienced over the past few years and expected
over the next decade, a more cosmopolitan expectation towards
recreational opportunities will be experienced.
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REPORT CS -43 -90 - 2 - NOVEMBER 19, 1990
2.2 As development takes place the public will seek these
opportunities farther afield and more intensely. This intense
use along with the population increase has necessitated the
creation of a by -law to regulate and control the proper and
intended use of parks and other Town owned lands. To enforce
such a by -law, it will be necessary to name and sign the
properties. Naming and signing of parks will also enhance the
school /park sites as the focal point for neighbourhood
identity and will lead ultimately to creating of a sense of
community.
3.0 METHODS OF NAMING PARRS:
3.1 From time to time there is a need to recognize historical
names, settlers, elected officials, living residents and
national heroes who have made a significant contribution to
our community, the Province or Country for which special
recognition would seem appropriate. To that end the naming
of streets, schools, hospitals or airports etc. have been
traditional areas where sufficient opportunity for recognition
exists. It is suggested that park names on the other hand
should be non political, non - sectarian and non - controversial
in nature.
3.2 A review of other Durham Region Municipalities has determined
that both Whitby and Oshawa have developed an approved policy
for naming of parks while Ajax and Pickering' s staff recommend
to Council suggested names. Either method is equally
acceptable. Generally most Municipalities with few exceptions
purposely name the park after an abutting school or adjacent
street. It has been their experience and belief that to name
parks differently than abutting schools and streets, results
in the public ignoring the official name in favour of more
popular familiar names. Park names which relate to the
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REPORT CS -43 -90
- 3 - NOVEMBER 19, 1990
adjacent streets or schools are readily identifiable to local
and more distant residents alike. It is the intention for the
most part to name Town parks after streets, which provide the
majority of park frontage.
3.3 Some existing parks are currently referred to in such a manner
which could lead to some confusion. In the Courtice area for
example Courtice West, Courtice South and Courtice Memorial
all have similar names. In both Bowmanville and Newcastle two
parks exist that are referred to simply as Memorial Park. In
such cases it may be recommended to add to or change the names
which may cause confusion. However, it will be our intention
to retain the existing park names wherever possible. In any
event, recommended name changes will be dealt with by separate
report to Council.
4.0 CONCLUSION:
4.1 The basis of this report was presented to the Parks Committee
for their input and is presented to Council with their
recommended approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Recommended for presentation
to the Committee
Joseph P. Caruana, Director Lawrence Kotseff,
Department of Community Services Chief A fnistrative Officer
JPC:JDC:sa
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P 0 L I C Y
DATE: OCTOBER 1, 1990
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DIVISION: OPERATIONS
SECTION: PARRS
SUBJECT: POLICY - NAMING OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
PAGE 1 OF 2
1.0 GENERAL:
1.1 Lands designated parks and open space lands which provide public access
and /or have street frontage shall be assigned, known and /or described on
legal documents by one official name.
1.2 Existing parks and open space lands which have acquired names in
common use, shall where possible retain their names.
1.3 Where existing parks and open space names may cause confusion because of
similar or identical names, the official names will be altered to
eliminate any obvious or likely confusion.
1.4 Lands designated parks and Open Space lands will be named at the time of
draft or final plan approval and shall henceforth be referred to by that
name on all legal and planning documents.
1.5 Staff shall report to Council if other than an abutting street name is to
be used in naming of a park or open space lands.
1.6 Council may at its discretion and as it sees fit rename any park or open
space.
2.0 PARKS:
2.1 Parks will be assigned names similar to the street on which it has its
major frontage.
2.2 A second park, having its major frontage on a given street and the similar
name having been assigned previously, shall have its name selected from
a secondary frontage or nearby street as may be appropriate.
2.3 All parks shall be named either parks or parkettes. No other
classification shall be used in the name, and words like but not limited
to, neighbourhood, community district, regional, town, city, hamlet,
village, playground, tot lot and playfield will be omitted from the name.
3.0 VALLEYLANDS AND OPEN SPACE LANDS:
3.1 Ravines containing strong landmarks such as creeks may be named similar
to that landmark.
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P O L I C Y- NAMING OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PAGE 2 OF 2
3.2 Lineal park systems containing pedestrian and bike routes may be referred
to as trails.
3.3 Open space lands remaining for the most part in their natural state may
for the purposes of public identity be referred to as parks.
3.4 Open space lands used primarily for storm detention, overland flow routes
and other hazard uses shall be named after an abutting street and shall
contain the words open space in its name.
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