City of Toronto's Policy Statement on naming and renaming for Park & Recreation Facilities & Parks

Policy Statement: Parks and Recreation facilities should be named on the basis of either the street or geographic area that most appropriately describes and identifies the location of the park or facility. Where appropriate parks and facilities may be named to honour and commemorate persons, places and events or things that have made a significant contribution to the City.

Conditions: Where the naming of a park or recreation facility after an individual or group is being recommended, the following criteria should apply:

  1. The contributions of the individual or group must be well documented and broadly acknowledged within the community and staff will contact the relevant professional, religious, fraternal, philanthropic, social, recreational or other organizations to verify this information.
  2. A direct relationship should exist between the place of residence/activity of an individual/group and the park/facility named.
  3. City Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division staff will exercise due diligence in researching and providing detailed background information to members of the local community, including ratepayer associations and any other interested persons who would have direct input into the naming process.
  4. The agreement of the individual or next of kin in the case of deceased individuals, and of the duly-elected senior representatives, in the case of groups, shall be obtained.
  5. Name duplication, similar sounding or cumbersome names should be avoided. Names which may be interpreted as an advertisement or being either discriminatory or connoting political affiliation must not be used.
  6. Existing parks/facilities named after individuals shall not be altered or changed.
  7. The advice of the relative municipal heritage organization and other relevant individuals or organizations shall be obtained.
  8. The process of naming and renaming parks/facilities should be within the purview of the Community Councils to recommend.
  9. All requests for the naming of parks or recreation facilities must be referred to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for a written report.