Station Street Park, located in downtown Duncan, will be renamed Friendship Square - Hiiye'yutul’.
The new name for the park, which is currently undergoing major renovations and upgrades, was approved by the City of Duncan’s council at its meeting on April 28.
In June, 2024, staff opened a Big Conversation Page for public name submissions for the park.
An advisory panel made up of two Quw’utsun Elders, two members of the Downtown Duncan BIA, and two members of council chose the name after receiving a number of recommendations from members of the community.
A total of 27 unique names were recommended for the park, as well as 16 submissions proposing to name the park after the late former Duncan Mayor Michael Coleman.
“Mayor Mike”, who served as mayor for a total of 22 years, died in 2021.
City planner Larissa Barry-Thibodeau said in a staff report that it was determined that naming the park after an individual would not be appropriate for this location.
“The panel emphasized that the park’s design and naming process were rooted in collective values and community spirit,” she said. “Should council wish to recognize the contributions of the late Mayor Michael Coleman, an alternative could be to name a prominent feature within the park in his honour. For example, designating the performance space as the Michael Coleman Stage.
In addition to Coleman, other suggested names honouring individuals included Simon Charlie Park, E.J. Hughes Park, and John Richmond Memorial Park.
The panel narrowed the shortlist to three: Salish Spirit Place, Friendship Square, and Gathering Place.
In March, staff put out the three names to a final public vote in which 268 people voted, and the top name was Friendship Square - Hiiye'yutul' with 46 per cent of the popular vote.
The current approximately $1.5-million project will see significant improvements to the park and enhancements to the Station Street/Craig Street intersection and immediate surrounding area.
The project, which is expected to be completed this summer, intends to transform Station Street Park into a dynamic public space that will serve as a hub for community events, festivals, and other activities.
It is considered an essential component of the city’s efforts to support the downtown businesses and attract more visitors to the area.
The city received a $1 million grant from B.C.’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program for the project in April, 2023, and the municipality intends to kick in up to $500,000.
