An Oshawa councillor is urging the city to “reaffirm” Memorial Park – the heart of downtown for over a century – as a space for public gatherings after several groups who have used the park in the past were informed their permits would be denied due to changed “criteria.”
Ward 4 Councillor Derek Giberson mentioned that the city has introduced new restrictions that will prevent many community events from taking place in Memorial Park – without any guidance from council – with some organizations receiving emails stating that the criteria had been modified for events allowed there.
“According to the new guidelines, the annual Labour Day Picnic organized by the Durham Region Labour Council wouldn’t meet the requirements to be held in the park. The same goes for various other community-focused events,” Giberson said. “These are precisely the types of gatherings that enliven our downtown. People come out for these celebrations – and they stick around. They enjoy meals on King Street, visit the Canadian Automotive Museum, and shop at local stores. Every event held in that park supports downtown Oshawa and invests in businesses and organizations that make it worth visiting.”
The email:
To maintain its heritage, dignity, and align with the park’s commemorative and cultural significance, we have established new criteria to guide all future permitting:
Heritage and memorial ceremonies focusing on or involving the War Memorial/Cenotaph Performing arts celebrations including dance, music, and theatre at Mc Laughlin Bandshell
Permits won’t be granted for general use of open park space. Event organizers must clearly show how their event aligns with one of the approved criteria mentioned above.
Giberson’s motion to council Monday – which needs a two-thirds vote just to be considered – aims to:
Reaffirm Memorial Park as an accessible public gathering space suitable for various community events Suspend these new restrictions until a thorough review is conducted and council can weigh in Guarantee that this year’s Labour Day Picnic takes place in Memorial Park
Durham Region Remembers – a candlelight vigil honoring community members who have been murdered – is one event that’s been denied a permit.
“The City of Oshawa has turned down my memorial event from being held at Memorial Park this year, claiming it ‘doesn’t fit their criteria,’” said organizer Lisa Freeman, who has hosted this memorial at the park for four years but was told her permit would not be approved because she hires local musicians for entertainment.
Freeman, also president of CUPE Local 4788 in Oshawa, explained that Durham Region Remembers – which occurs in late May – brings together various support services into one location, “offering compassion, connection, and help to those who need it most (and) has become deeply meaningful to many.”
“I think this decision is unfair.”
Memorial Park was established in 1924 and has grown into a “vital and central public space” accommodating diverse uses while uniting different Oshawa communities over time, Giberson noted.
This location serves as the hub for Fiesta Week street festival activities, hosts family fun during Kars on King and Bright and Merry Market events, along with regular concerts at Bandshell and Remembrance Day ceremonies at Cenotaph.
The park also played a significant role during key moments in Oshawa’s labor history; notably during the 1937 strike when 4,000 General Motors workers fought for rights that eventually impacted industrial workers across Canada.
“It benefits our city to promote positive uses of this central community park that attract people downtown Oshawa while celebrating an essential part of Oshawa’s history and enhancing experiences for both residents and visitors alike.”
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Giberson’s motion to council Monday – which needs a two-thirds vote just to be considered – aims to:
Reaffirm Memorial Park as an accessible public gathering space suitable for various community events Suspend these new restrictions until a thorough review is conducted and council can weigh in Guarantee that this year’s Labour Day Picnic takes place in Memorial Park
Durham Region Remembers – a candlelight vigil honoring community members who have been murdered – is one event that’s been denied a permit.
“The City of Oshawa has turned down my memorial event from being held at Memorial Park this year, claiming it ‘doesn’t fit their criteria,’” said organizer Lisa Freeman, who has hosted this memorial at the park for four years but was told her permit would not be approved because she hires local musicians for entertainment.
Freeman, also president of CUPE Local 4788 in Oshawa, explained that Durham Region Remembers – which occurs in late May – brings together various support services into one location, “offering compassion, connection, and help to those who need it most (and) has become deeply meaningful to many.”
“I think this decision is unfair.”
Memorial Park was established in 1924 and has grown into a “vital and central public space” accommodating diverse uses while uniting different Oshawa communities over time, Giberson noted.
This location serves as the hub for Fiesta Week street festival activities, hosts family fun during Kars on King and Bright and Merry Market events, along with regular concerts at Bandshell and Remembrance Day ceremonies at Cenotaph.
The park also played a significant role during key moments in Oshawa’s labor history; notably during the 1937 strike when 4,000 General Motors workers fought for rights that eventually impacted industrial workers across Canada.
“It benefits our city to promote positive uses of this central community park that attract people downtown Oshawa while celebrating an essential part of Oshawa’s history and enhancing experiences for both residents and visitors alike.”
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 33,883 Votes
All Time: 1,263,477 Votes
935 VOTES
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