The Town of Truro continues its naming competition for a park that was previously thought to have been named, according to a project partner. In May, the 5,380-square-foot piece of land at the intersection of Ford and Robie streets was identified as Reparations Park during a ribbon-cutting event, as detailed by the Truro News and the Halifax Examiner. However, an official name will not be revealed until February, after a town committee reviews entries from the public as part of an ongoing contest that started earlier in the month.
The Nova Scotia Women’s History Society, which initiated the park project in 2019, held discussions with town officials on Monday to clarify certain points of confusion. Society chair Anne Marie Lane Jonah mentioned that while she understood the town council would have the final say on the park’s name, she was unaware that the public would be invited to suggest names through a contest.
Truro’s chief administrative officer, Michael Dolter, explained that the town aimed to engage the local community in the naming process, similar to the approach taken when renaming the former Truro Amateur Athletic Club grounds to the No. 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility in November.
Following a positive conclusion to Monday’s meeting, Truro Mayor Cathy Hinton and Lane Jonah expressed their satisfaction, despite the communication challenges that led to the naming controversy. Hinton highlighted the importance of following a formal naming procedure involving the entire African Nova Scotian community.
The park project has seen investments of around $100,000 from the town, including a new walkway installation. The Nova Scotia Women’s History Society contributed approximately $75,000 towards installations, art commissions, and community events. Notable features within the park include a monument of Vera Clyke, an organist at Zion Baptist Church in Truro, and a dedication to four Black female educators by artist Letitia Fraser.
Over 40 names have been proposed by the public since the naming contest began, with the African Nova Scotia community strategy committee responsible for reviewing submissions and making recommendations to the council after the contest ends on January 9. Lane Jonah noted strong community support for the name Reparations Park, emphasizing the positive impact of the park despite the recent disagreements and frustrations.
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