Finding the Middle ground: Council chooses name for new park in north Bowmanville

Council has selected “Middle Park” as the name for the new neighbourhood park under construction at 3301 Middle Road in Bowmanville.

The Name Your Park campaign received a strong engagement response, with nearly 2,000 community members participating. Middle Park, as suggested by a community member, was selected as the name to address Council’s concerns with wayfinding as many Bowmanville street names contain the word Orchard.

The community also put forth submissions requesting the park be named after various individual people, which is contrary to the Municipality’s Park Naming Policy. There were a notable 1,335 submissions for the park to be named after a Bowmanville resident who tragically died after being struck by an alleged impaired driver. Council directed staff work with the family to dedicate a bench either in Middle Park or a location that is meaningful for the family.

The park is now open and features an accessible playground, splash pad, softball diamond, benches, seating, paved walkways and a shade structure.