Georgetown park renamed to honour life and legacy of former resident

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Published October 4, 2021 at 4:45 pm

The Town of Halton Hills is honouring the life and legacy of a former resident through the dedication of a local park.

Henry Thomas Shepherd, whom the park is being dedicated to, was a veteran of WWI and WWII as well as the first Black Chief of the Georgetown Fire Department.

He was a well-respected member of the Town and his legacy remains strong in Halton Hills and the surrounding communities.

As a result, the Town of Halton Hills is honouring him through the official dedication of the Henry Thomas Shepherd MBE Park, located at 45 Dayfoot Drive in Georgetown.

“We had 2000 page views and almost 400 comments from residents when we engaged the public on dedicating a neighbourhood park in memory of Henry Thomas Shepherd. This demonstrates the important role he played in the history of Georgetown,” said Mayor Rick Bonnette.

“His accomplishments will continue to inspire for generations to come and for those who have not seen it, take a look at the online exhibition that the Library put on last February for Black History Month.”

Back in 2019, Council approved the renaming of Dayfoot Drive Park to Henry Thomas Shepherd MBE Park.

The initials “MBE” represent “Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” and are an important element of the park’s new name, given the significance of the designation.

The Town of Halton Hills is encouraging residents to drop by and enjoy the park, where a bench and interpretive sign to honour Mr. Shepherd will be installed later this fall.

Photo: Town of Halton Hills

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