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A new name for the park formerly known as Regent Par 3 Golf Course has been officially unveiled after many years of work to revitalize the property in the Coronation Park neighbourhood.
The newly developed green space is now known as Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park, a Cree phrase that means “gathering of happiness and joy.” The name is intended to reflect “the feelings of children and community members as they enjoy the park’s many amenities,” says a news release from the City of Regina.
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The new moniker was celebrated with a special event on Thursday, featuring remarks from members of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, City of Regina, and Coronation Park Community Association. The day was marked by a pipe ceremony, followed by a feast and round dance.
The park’s name was originally “gifted” last summer through an Indigenous ceremony led by Life Speakers, Pipe Carriers, and Helpers from File Hills.
Work to convert the former golf course into a public park was largely completed in 2022 after five years of planning. That included “extensive community consultation” such as public surveys, planning sessions and design meetings, says the news release.
The park offers an accessible playground, an off-leash dog park, a spray pad, washroom facilities and a number of multi-use pathways. A disc golf course, picnic area and multi-use sports field were added in 2023.
The city embarked on a renaming process in conjunction with the park’s opening in 2022. The Civic Naming Committee guidelines state that 25 per cent of street names and 50 per cent of park names in new neighbourhoods should have a name “with Indigenous connection.”
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Regent Par 3 is the most recent city property to be renamed accordingly.
Others include: Big Bear Boulevard, named after Chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear), who advocated strongly for Indigenous rights in the mid-1800s; Okimasis Park in the Creeks, named after Cree language expert Jean Okimasis; and mâmawêyatitân Park, which utilizes a Cree word meaning “let’s be all together.” The park is located just behind a North Central community centre with the same name.
In 2021, the former Dewdney Avenue park and pool was renamed Buffalo Meadows Pool and Buffalo Meadows Park. The change was made in an effort to no longer honour former politician Edgar Dewdney, known for contributing to the controversial Indigenous relations policies of Canada’s first prime minister, John A. Macdonald.
A motion to rename Dewdney Avenue was recently considered in August, but it was rejected by city council.
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