The City of Victoria is getting set to dedicate an expanded waterfront park in memory of former mayor Peter Pollen.
The three-acre area currently known as Laurel Point Park will become Peter Pollen Waterfront Park.
Pollen passed away in 2017.
The City says that the park will embody Pollen’s vision that Victoria’s Inner Harbour should be accessible to all.
“My husband Peter made Victoria his home for over 50 years,” said MaryAnn Pollen.
“He referred to the Inner Harbour as the jewel of Victoria. Our family is deeply honoured by this dedication in his memory.”
City of Victoria
Pollen served as Victoria’s mayor from 1971-1975, and again from 1981-1985 before retiring from municipal politics.
A press release from the City says one of his proudest accomplishments was the beautification of the Inner Harbour including the establishing of the original Laurel Point Park in 1975.
“A lot of the way Victoria looks and feels today can be attributed to the vision and leadership of Peter Pollen,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
The area had been home to the British American Paint Company, operating as a paint factory, from 1906 to 1975.
City of Victoria Archives
After it closed and moved from the location, Council worked to ensure a wide strip of waterfront property was set aside to be used as a public park.
The Government of Canada classified the area as a contaminated site prompting remediation work that began in 2018.
The work included Transport Canada removing 35,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil and replace it with clean soil.
The City expects it to be completed by late 2019.
Public consultation on the design of the new park will also start in late 2019.
Following Council approval of the concept design, the detailed design and park construction is anticipated to begin in 2020.
The City will hold a park dedication ceremony on October 26 to officially name the new park.
Pollen’s family will be on hand.
City officials have also been working with Lekwungen speakers to learn more about the land and the appropriate name for the park area.
At the park dedication ceremony the Lekwungen name for the land will also be incorporated as part of the park signage.
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