Overwhelming response for rename Sherbourne Park contest

May 17, 2010, Toronto, ON — More than 500 park names were submitted to the Rename Sherbourne Park contest during the three-week submissions period that ended May 14.  The contest, sponsored by Waterfront Toronto and online news website Torontoist, gives members of the public an opportunity to become part of the history of the waterfront by ultimately choosing a new name for Sherbourne Park.

Over the next few weeks, a shortlist will be developed from the more than 500 names received.  First, a selection committee representing a broad range of voices in the community will develop a shortlist of 8-10 names that reflect the park’s setting on Toronto’s waterfront in the heart of one of Canada’s newest, most technologically advanced and sustainable communities. The shortlist will be vetted by the City of Toronto Parks, Recreation and Forestry Division to ensure the names meet the parks naming criteria outlined in the City of Toronto’s Policy Statement on Naming and Renaming Park & Recreation Facilities & Parks.

The shortlist will be announced on May 31 and the first round of online voting will begin.  From May 31 to June 6, people can rank their favourite of the shortlisted park names.  The three top ranked park names will move on to the final round of voting which will take place between June 7 and June 15.  The name that receives the most number of votes will become the new name of the park.

The winning park name will be announced on June 16. The park is scheduled to open later this summer.

Make sure you cast your vote starting May 31 at www.torontoist.com/park or learn more about Sherbourne Park now.