The origins of Whyte Ridge’s park names

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2016 (3595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ever wonder where the names of your community parks came from?  

In Whyte Ridge there are three main areas of green space, and they’re all named after famous Winnipeggers in thanks for their community service.  

Don Smith Park lies on the west side of the community. Smith played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1940s, including participating in two Grey Cup games. His love of football continued through coaching and serving as a director on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers executive board. He served as president of the Fort Garry Community Club and chaired the advisory committee on parks and recreation. He was elected to city council in 1976 and represented the Wildewood and Pembina wards for two terms.

Leon Bell Park is on the south side of the community. Bell was an original member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in the 1950s. The plaque at the park explains that it was named after him “in recognition of his contributions and accomplishments in the arts and humanities for the enjoyment of the citizens of the City of Winnipeg. A founding member of Folklorama, Mr. Bell has been actively involved in a variety of community organizations. He was a former conductor and musical director of the Winnipeg Pops and a recipient of the first Mayor’s Voluntary Service Award in the arts and humanities in 1984.”

Scurfield Park, located on Scurfield Boulevard, lies on the east side of the community. The park and street are named for both Jack Scurfield and his nephew Ralph Scurfield. Ralph spent his early years (1930 to 1950) in Manitoba but became a successful real estate developer in Calgary, and was one of the founding owners of the Calgary Flames and the Sunshine Village ski resort. He was actively involved in the establishment of the faculty of management at the University of Calgary, was a member of the board of governors of the Banff Centre for Continuing Education and served a term as president of the Housing and Urban Development Association of Canada. In the 1970s he was instrumental in establishing Calgary’s Nose Hill Park as a protected area of undisturbed natural beauty — the largest city-owned natural park in North America.  

Ralph’s uncle, Jack Scurfield, was a high school teacher and principal in several Manitoba schools from the mid-1920s to mid-1960s.  He was instrumental in establishing Churchill High School in south Winnipeg, and was actively involved in the Seven Oaks School Division. He was also president of the Mentors’ Club of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Schoolmasters’ Club and, in 1974, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg for his service in the education profession.

So now you know!

Nick Barnes is a community correspondent for Whyte Ridge.