Oshawa breaks ground on Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park
Published May 31, 2022 at 4:06 pm
The Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park broke ground Tuesday, with the long-time Oshawa MPP and NDP national leader in attendance for his big day.
The giant entrance sign is now in place, with the $4 million park to be built in two phases. The eastern half of the property, which includes some elements of the old marina, will be constructed at a later date.
The City of Oshawa’s newest addition to the waterfront parks system is located at the southeast corner of Simcoe Street South and Harbour Road and named in recognition of political icon and Oshawa native Ed Broadbent.
“I greatly appreciate having a waterfront park with a human rights component named after me in Oshawa, Broadbent said. “I was born and raised in Oshawa and now feel deeply honoured by this action of my hometown.”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was also in attendance at the ground-breaking.
In September 2019, City Council approved the naming of the park to recognize the many contributions Broadbent has made to public service and the City of Oshawa and his commitment to the residents, workers and businesses of Oshawa.
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Broadbent was elected to Parliament as the NDP Member for Oshawa in 1968 and served as the MP until 1989. From 1975 to 1989, he was also Leader of the New Democratic Party.
Between 1979 and 1990, he was a Vice-President of the Socialist International. From 1990 to 1996, he was the founding President of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development in Montreal.
Plans for the park include a Human Rights Garden in recognition of Broadbent as a champion and advocate for human rights, as well as passive recreational areas.
“The development of this park commemorates Mr. Broadbent’s legacy and service to Canada and our city, and we are thrilled to see our vision start to take shape,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “The Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park will be a place where community members can come to reflect, feel inspired and find peace while enjoying the natural beauty of Oshawa’s waterfront.”
