Park Naming (823 5th Avenue East, previously Ryerson Park)

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Playground at a park

The City is currently considering a new name for the city park at 823 5th Avenue East, beside 8th Street East, previously known as Ryerson Park. See recent reports about this process on this page under 'Report Links' for detailed information throughout this process.

How the Community Can Take Part:

Residents are invited to participate in the second phase of public engagement to help choose a new name for the City park located at 823 5th Avenue East, north of 8th Street East. Following the first phase, which gathered community suggestions, residents are now encouraged to visit the project page at OurCity.OwenSound.ca/Park-Naming to review and rank their top three preferred names.

The park, previously known as Ryerson Park, is undergoing a naming process guided by the City’s Naming and Re‑Naming Policy for City Parks and Facilities.

Earlier this year, name suggestions were submitted through this OurCity Owen Sound engagement platform, with 70 unique submissions received. Council previously directed that priority be given to names with a locational reference. All submissions received during Phase 1 were reviewed, and 25 names that best met the criteria outlined in the City's Naming and Re-Naming Policy for City Parks and Facilities have been short-listed for public voting. For more information on submitted names, please view the report presented to Community Services Committee on June 24 here (or linked under 'Report Links' on this page).

Review and rank the shortlisted names now until Friday, August 28, 2026. Feedback collected during this phase will help Council better understand community preferences before making a final decision.


Final Steps:

Once public engagement is complete, the top scoring names will be presented to Community Services Committee with a final recommendation to be considered by Council. The City will provide at least 10 days’ notice before a final decision is made.


Background:

In 2021, the City of Owen Sound adopted Policy No. CS087 to establish a transparent and consistent framework for naming and renaming City parks and facilities. The policy sets out clear criteria and a structured process for reviewing naming requests. Following the submission of a formal application, Council initiated the renaming process, including the establishment of a Council Working Group to review the request for the park formerly known as Ryerson Park and subsequently approved the renaming of the park. The current engagement process will help inform Council's final decision on a new name.

The City is currently considering a new name for the city park at 823 5th Avenue East, beside 8th Street East, previously known as Ryerson Park. See recent reports about this process on this page under 'Report Links' for detailed information throughout this process.

How the Community Can Take Part:

Residents are invited to participate in the second phase of public engagement to help choose a new name for the City park located at 823 5th Avenue East, north of 8th Street East. Following the first phase, which gathered community suggestions, residents are now encouraged to visit the project page at OurCity.OwenSound.ca/Park-Naming to review and rank their top three preferred names.

The park, previously known as Ryerson Park, is undergoing a naming process guided by the City’s Naming and Re‑Naming Policy for City Parks and Facilities.

Earlier this year, name suggestions were submitted through this OurCity Owen Sound engagement platform, with 70 unique submissions received. Council previously directed that priority be given to names with a locational reference. All submissions received during Phase 1 were reviewed, and 25 names that best met the criteria outlined in the City's Naming and Re-Naming Policy for City Parks and Facilities have been short-listed for public voting. For more information on submitted names, please view the report presented to Community Services Committee on June 24 here (or linked under 'Report Links' on this page).

Review and rank the shortlisted names now until Friday, August 28, 2026. Feedback collected during this phase will help Council better understand community preferences before making a final decision.


Final Steps:

Once public engagement is complete, the top scoring names will be presented to Community Services Committee with a final recommendation to be considered by Council. The City will provide at least 10 days’ notice before a final decision is made.


Background:

In 2021, the City of Owen Sound adopted Policy No. CS087 to establish a transparent and consistent framework for naming and renaming City parks and facilities. The policy sets out clear criteria and a structured process for reviewing naming requests. Following the submission of a formal application, Council initiated the renaming process, including the establishment of a Council Working Group to review the request for the park formerly known as Ryerson Park and subsequently approved the renaming of the park. The current engagement process will help inform Council's final decision on a new name.

  • Ranking Suggested Park Names

    Please select up to three (3) of your favourite name suggestions below for Council to consider as the new name for the park at 823 5th Ave. E. 

    For more details about the submitted names, please view the Report presented to the Community Services Committee on June 24 here.

    Take Survey
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Park Name Suggestion

    The City is inviting the community to suggest possible names for the park.

    Four names have already been put forward for consideration:

    • Old School Park
    • Eighth Street Park
    • Boyd Street Park
    • “Friendship Land” in Anishinaabe – Ningaawendam Miikana

    You can share additional name ideas here that you feel reflect the park, the neighbourhood, or the community’s history and values. 

    Remember, in the case of the park at 823 5th Ave. E., Council has asked that a name with a locational reference be given priority.  

    The opportunity for suggesting names to be considered will remain open until Monday, May 4, 2026. All suggestions received will be reviewed and compiled for the next step.

    Please register for an account with this OurCity Owen Sound online engagement platform to submit your park name suggestion. Registration is required so we may contact you if additional information or clarification is needed, or for project updates. Personal information collected through registration will be kept confidential and will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

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Page last updated: 15 Jul 2026, 02:01 PM