New park to be named after Terry Fox

By Mike Anderson

Georgina will get a new 3.8 acre park named after Terry Fox, a Canadian icon, whose 1980 Marathon of Hope continues to inspire Canadians to take part in the annual Terry Fox Run, raising millions of dollars for Cancer research each year.

The Terry Fox Park will be located in Keswick’s new Orchid Trail subdivision, which is located west of Woodbine Ave and south of Old Homestead Road — east of Treasure Hill’s Starlish subdivision.

According to Matthew Creador, vice president of land development for Treasure Hill, the park will connect to Starfish Park, and potentially other parks and public spaces, through a trail system.

Creador said the project was given the green light after Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, approved the naming on June 12.

“We were politely warned from the beginning that the process could take quite some time, which is understandably so,” said Creador, during his deputation to council on July 10.

“The family receives a lot of requests from across the country. And, they’re pretty protective of Terry’s image and his legacy and want to be sure that it’s presented in the appropriate way. So knowing this, a lot of thought was put into the park design and how we could commemorate the legacy of Terry.”

Creador said Treasure Hill will work with the Town to finalize the design of the park, which will include a walking/running path to be called the “Marathon of Hope” trail.

Treasure Hill hopes to complete construction of the park in 2025, which would mark the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope.

While Terry Fox never visited Georgina, there is a long history of the community support for the Terry Fox Foundation.

According to Creador’s deputation, the first Terry Fox Run was organized in 1982 by Mayor Bob Johnson, and has continued to attract support over the years, with current organizer Laurie Pangman-Carriere leading the annual event for the past decade.

Over 40 years, residents across Georgina have raised more than $768,000 for cancer research through the annual Terry Fox Run.

The Town has also proclaimed every July 28 as Terry Fox Day, to mark his birth date, and in 2021, dedicated a maple tree in Terry’s honour at the Civic Centre.

The Mayor and council, along with Pangman-Carrier, will also participate in a Terry Fox flag raising at the Civic Centre on July 27.

“We need to keep his memory, his legacy alive for future generations,” said Mayor Quirk.

“Not everybody can go to St. John’s and see the park where he started his Marathon of Hope or the memorial in Thunder Bay, where it ended.”

“Terry had a dream, a hope and a vision, and that continues. The money raised each year goes to research, improving the quality of life and longevity for those diagnosed with cancer. This park will be a reminder of Terry’s legacy and an important feature, not just for the Orchid Trail development but for all of Georgina.”