Kent Park to be renamed for MLK
Kent Park in Côte-des-Neiges is being renamed for Martin Luther King. Global notes that it’s close to parks named after Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Kent Park in Côte-des-Neiges is being renamed for Martin Luther King. Global notes that it’s close to parks named after Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Patrick 12:58 on 2019-04-11 Permalink
Maybe I’m feeling crotchety today, but though I sympathize with the impulse I think there’s a bit of grandiosity with this renaming. It’s a bit like every city downtown having the same global commercial brands. Couldn’t they find an inspiring black figure from Montreal’s past? Why not Rufus Rockhead? With a memorial jazz concert every year?
Kate 14:46 on 2019-04-11 Permalink
At least this one is currently Kent Park, simply named after an adjoining street, so nobody’s getting demoted. The city’s explanation for the street name is “Nom du plus ancien royaume de l’heptarchie anglo-saxonne” although I wonder if it wasn’t really for the Duke of Kent.
Patrick 20:45 on 2019-04-11 Permalink
The Gazette story concludes: “Kent Park was given its current appellation in 1967 and was named after the Kingdom of Kent of Anglo-Saxon England, according to the city of Montreal’s website.” Shades of Westeros! But I wouldn’t wonder if a royal personage wasn’t in view. Does anyone refer to Murray Park by its official name (since 1939) of King George Park?
SMD 00:03 on 2019-07-04 Permalink
Rue Rufus-Rockhead was inaugurated on June 28, 1989.