Rename Ancaster leash-free park after Cirillo, councillor says

Plans are already in the works to name a Hamilton city park after fallen soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

Coun. Lloyd Ferguson says he plans to urge the city to rename a leash-free dog park in Ancaster after the Hamilton reservist, a dog lover who frequented the park.

The park is located next to the SilverCity cinemas and known to residents as “cinema park,” Ferguson said.

Ancaster residents would be “thrilled” with the tribute to Cirillo, Ferguson said.

“Did you see the patriotism that’s come from this event?” he said. “Canada is a very patriotic country based on what we saw this morning.”

And “what a way to tribute him, through something he loved.”

The idea came from a resident who uses the park. Ferguson plans to introduce it at the first council meeting in December. If it passes, the matter will be referred to the naming subcommittee, where it should be “a slam dunk,” he said.

He would like to see the park called the Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Leash-Free Park.

Cirillo, 24, was gunned down last Wednesday while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa. His death has inspired an outpouring of shock and grief across the country.

His funeral was in Hamilton on Tuesday and attended by dignitaries such as Prime Minister Stephen Harper.