In July of 2020 a petition was submitted to the City of Regina requesting that Dewdney Park be changed to Buffalo Meadows Park.
Policy Impacts
The recommendation to rename the park supports the Cultural Plan objective of “Conserve Cultural Heritage Resources” by ensuring that the naming of streets, parks and other civic assets celebrates Regina’s unique history and cultural diversity, and that it tells the whole story of Regina.
The renaming also supports the City's efforts towards Reconciliation.
Financial Impacts
The existing park sign can be sanded and repainted with new name decals added as well as a decal providing background on the new name, at the cost of $1,000. Parks Maintenance will absorb this cost in its operational budget.
There are no sustainability, accessibility or environmental impacts associated with this report.
1. Deny the renaming and maintain the park name as Dewdney Park.
2. Refer the report back to Administration for consideration of another name.
The renaming of Dewdney Park started with a petition of almost 600 members of the public and a name suggestion of Buffalo Meadows Park. This name was shared with the Civic Naming Committee by the City Clerk’s Office and approved for use. Once approved for use, the name was shared with the North Central Community Association and the Central Zone Board, as representatives of their residents and recreation zone. They were both supportive of moving forward with the name Buffalo Meadows Park. If the name is approved, Administration will work with the Community Association, Zone Board, Regina Treaty Status Indian Services (RTSIS) and a local Elder to ensure a ceremony is planned for the renaming of the park in spring 2021.
Administration will develop a communications strategy to ensure that the public is informed of the new name and ceremony when the pool opens.
In July 2020, Decolonizing Relations submitted a petition to have Dewdney Avenue, Dewdney Pool, and Dewdney Park renamed. The selected name for the pool and park included in the petition was Buffalo Meadows. Administration is developing a legacy review process to address the request for the renaming of Dewdney Avenue, which is not complete at this time. However, there are procedures in place, that involve consulting with the Community Association and Zone Board for the park. The renaming of the pool is being considered through a separate report to Council.
The proposed name, Buffalo Meadows Park, was approved by the Civic Naming Committee in October 2020 and was shared with the Community Association and Zone Board shortly after for comments. The Zone Board informed Administration that they were supportive; however, as the affected community, they would defer to the North Central Community Association. On December 9, the City received a letter of support (Appendix A) from the North Central Community Association to move forward with the renaming.
As the community organization representing residents of the North Central Neighbourhood is supportive of the renaming of the park and the name has also being considered for the renaming of Dewdney Pool, Administration recommends moving forward with the new name and replacing the park signage.
On November 26, 2018, City Council approved the Civic Naming Committee Guidelines (CR18-116). City Council is responsible for adjudicating street or park name changes submitted under section 4.11.1.3 of these guidelines. Section 6 of the guidelines outline the specific guidelines for naming parks.
Respectfully Submitted, Respectfully Submitted,
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