City seeking public input on six commemorative naming proposals

The City of Ottawa Commemorative Naming Committee is conducting public consultations on six separate naming proposals to:

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Name a new park at 701 Meadow Ridge Circle “Doug Rivington Park”

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Name a woodland area on Abbott Street adjacent to Sacred Heart High School the “Kemp Woodland”

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Name a new park at 130 Woodbine Place “Percy Taverner Park”

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Rename the Osgoode Multi-Use Pathway the “Doug Thompson Multi-Use Pathway”

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Name the gazebo in Davidson Park at 5 Ryerson Avenue the “George Watson Gazebo”

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Rename Black Tern Park at 53 Black Tern Crescent “Brian Parsons Park”

** Doug Rivington Park – (Ward 5 – West Carleton-March) ** In recognition of Doug Rivington’s extensive community service, the City of Ottawa has been asked to name a new park at 701 Meadow Ridge Circle “Doug Rivington Park”.

Doug Rivington has contributed to the community in many ways including chairman of the school board, president of the Carp Agricultural Society, and warden at St James Church. He has provided gratuitous labour to the Carp splash pad, making the Parish of Huntley Hall wheelchair accessible, and generous monetary support to the Carp Fair, the Huntley Curling Club, the West Carleton Community Complex, Huntley Centennial Public School, the West Carleton Library and local sports teams.

View the online proposal for the “Doug Rivington Park”. ** Kemp Woodland – (Ward 6 – Stittsville) ** In recognition of the name’s historical significance, the City of Ottawa has been asked to name a woodland area on Abbott Street East adjacent to Sacred Heart High School the “Kemp Woodland”.

Born in 1838 in what is today called Stittsville, John Kemp was the son of William Kemp, one of Goulbourn’s early Irish settlers. John Kemp was a prominent 19

th

century Stittsville tavern keeper, railway contractor, and Goulbourn Township reeve from 1887 to 1894. He is best known as the builder and owner of the stone mansion Kemp’s Tavern, which now houses Cabotto’s Restaurant on Hazeldean Road.

View the online proposal for the “Kemp Woodland”. ** Percy Taverner Park – (Ward 17 – Capital) ** In recognition of Percy Taverner’s demonstrated excellence and exceptional service, the City of Ottawa has been asked to name a new park at 130 Woodbine Place “Percy Taverner Park”.

Percy A. Taverner (1875-1947) was a distinguished and internationally honoured biologist, a pillar of the Ottawa naturalist community, and in 1911 became the first ornithologist for the Natural History branch of the National Museum of Canada (now the Canadian Museum of Nature). He was president of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club in the 1930s and was substantially responsible for the survival of this organization and its journal, _ The Canadian Field-Naturalist _ , which he founded.

View the online proposal for the “Percy Taverner Park”. ** Doug Thompson Multi-Use Pathway – (Ward 20 – Osgoode and Ward 22 – Gloucester-South Nepean) ** In recognition of Doug Thompson’s extensive community service, the City of Ottawa has been asked to rename the Osgoode Multi-Use Pathway the “Doug Thompson Multi-Use Pathway”.

Doug Thompson began his political career as a member of Osgoode Township Council in 1984. Subsequently, he became the Mayor of Osgoode Township until amalgamation of the City of Ottawa. Following amalgamation, he was elected to three consecutive terms as City Councillor for Osgoode Ward until his retirement in 2014. Over his 31 years in office, Doug provided assistance to countless residents, community associations, organizations and charities.

Doug Thompson was instrumental in moving the Osgoode Multi-Use Pathway forward and to fruition.

View the online proposal for the “Doug Thompson Multi-Use Pathway”. ** George Watson Gazebo – (Ward 22 – Gloucester-South Nepean) ** In recognition of George Watson’s excellence, courage and exceptional service, the City of Ottawa has been asked to name the gazebo in Davidson Park at 5 Ryerson Avenue the “George Watson Gazebo”.

George W. Watson (1919-2014) joined the Canadian Army in 1940 at the age of 21, and travelled to Europe for training. Having demonstrated exceptional skill, intelligence and bravery, he was posted to the First Special Services Force. History would eventually refer to this unit as the “Devil’s Brigade”, a joint American-Canadian unit known for getting the tough assignments.

After settling in Ottawa, George became a fixture in the small community of Heart’s Desire. He was also an active member of a local Royal Canadian Legion branch from 1993 to 2006.

View the online proposal for the “George Watson Gazebo”. ** Brian Parsons Park – (Ward 23 – Kanata South) ** In recognition of Brian Parsons’ excellence, courage and exceptional service, the City of Ottawa has been asked to rename Black Tern Park at 53 Black Tern Crescent the “Brian Parsons Park”.

Brian Parsons has been an active member of the community serving as vice-president of the Bridlewood Community Association from 1997 to 1999. In this capacity, Brian organized the Bridlewood community Canada Day celebrations and the New Year’s Eve community party.

Since being diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2013, Brian has been tirelessly campaigning to improve the rights and benefits for family members of ALS patients to allow them to take time off work so they can provide round-the-clock care to their loved one during the final stages of life. In addition, Brian has been raising funds for ALS.

View the online proposal for the “Brian Parsons Park”.