29 Mar 2011 ... Staff Report for action on renaming Woodford Park to Jeff Healey Park. 1. STAFF
REPORT. ACTION REQUIRED. Proposed renaming of ...
STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUIRED
Proposed renaming of Woodford Park to "Jeff Healey" Park Date:
March 29, 2011
To:
Etobicoke York Community Council
From:
Brenda Patterson, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Wards:
Ward 5 - Etobicoke Lakeshore
Reference P:\2011\Cluster A\PFR\EY06-042111-AFS#13501 Number:
SUMMARY This staff report is about a matter for which Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision. This report responds to the request made by the Ward Councillor to investigate the feasibility of renaming Woodford Park in honour of the late Jeff Healey. Parks, Forestry, and Recreation is recommending that Woodford Park be officially renamed in honour of Mr. Healey's significant contributions to the City of Toronto. Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff have exercised due diligence in ensuring that all criteria in the Naming and Renaming for Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy have been met.
RECOMMENDATION The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that Etobicoke York Community Council: 1. Rename Woodford Park located at 1 Delroy Drive to “Jeff Healey Park” in honour of his significant contributions to the City of Toronto.
FINANCIAL IMPACT There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report. Staff Report for action on renaming Woodford Park to Jeff Healey Park
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DECISION HISTORY The Ward Councillor contacted Parks Forestry and Recreation to investigate the feasibility of renaming Woodford Park situated at 1 Delroy Dr. in honour of Jeff Healey.
COMMENTS Jeff Healey, a Juno award-winning Canadian musician, was born and raised in Etobicoke and grew up on Bonnyview Drive which is immediately adjacent to Woodford Park. As a child, Jeff and his family often spent time in the park. Jeff moved along to pursue his musical career and later returned to the area to raise a family. Jeff Healey passed away on March 2, 2008 at the age of 41. Jeff actively supported many charities and was a literacy advocate. He first hosted an annual golf tournament which raised over $250,000 for the CNIB and later hosted the Very Healey Christmas event to fundraise for Sick Children's Hospital and Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund. The latter charity supports families whose children are afflicted with retinoblastoma, the genetic disease that caused Jeff to lose his sight in infancy and ultimately led to the cancer that took his life. Jeff's charitable work, notably his association with the CNIB, was recognized by McMaster University where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. Jeff also supported many other charities including the Hydro One Charity Campaign, the Joe Chithalen Musical Instrument Lending Library, Ride for Sight, the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and The Word On The Street Canada.
CONTACT Richard Ubbens, Director, Parks, Tel: 416-392-7911, Fax: 416-397-4899, Email:
[email protected]
SIGNATURE
________________________ Brenda Patterson General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Staff Report for action on renaming Woodford Park to Jeff Healey Park
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