Black Diamond residents will get the final say on a new name for a park and recreation area south of the Oilfields Regional Arena.
Three names will be put up for a vote on the Town’s website. Voting closes on April 12 at 5 p.m.
The proposed names are Diamond’s Edge Park, Blakeman Memorial Park and Erma Joy Brown.
A committee established by Town council earlier this year narrowed down a list of 28 that were proposed by the public.
“It was heartwarming to see the response and the names that were put forward and learning all of the different stories and people’s memories about the Black Diamond community,” said Quinn Page, selection committee member and the town’s economic development and events coordinator. “It was difficult to narrow it down. We did have some criteria that we used like relevance to the community, use of space, surrounding facilities or amenities and historical accuracy.”
Page said the Town received 74 submissions in total, many of which were identical.
“I anticipated that there would be a lot of excitement about an opportunity to choose a name,” she said. “Most people that are going to take an interest in it are going to be people who have some affiliation to the town or the area.”
The space currently consists of a skateboard park and the Legacy Outdoor Fitness Park. Construction will soon begin on a pump track and the expansion of a walking trail this summer, which will include a bridge, to join the pathways at the Bob Lochhead Memorial Campground and Willow Ridge.
The Town has also been hosting more events in this space, such as the Canada Day celebrations last year that included a music festival, said Page.
“Likely that site will develop further with more recreation opportunities in the future,” she said. “We would like to use it for more community events.”
Page said the name Diamond’s Edge Park was one of several put forward that represents the landscape of the area, and the committee felt it was fitting.
“Diamond’s Edge Park plays on our diamond and this particular green space really is on the edge of the Sheep River and has beautiful views,” she said.
The other choices, Blakeman Memorial Park and Erma Joy Brown Park, have a lot of historical significance for Black Diamond, said Page.
According to a description on the Town’s website, John Blakeman Sr. came to Black Diamond in 1913. He built his own butcher shop where the Westwood is now located. His son John Jr., also known as Jack, was the first mayor when the village was incorporated in 1929 and opened the Black Diamond Store, also known as Blakeman’s store, in 1921. The store was later operated by his son William.
Erma Joy Brown moved to Black Diamond in 1929, and was involved with the Community Association, Griffiths Senior Centre, municipal library and War Workers. She worked for the Town for 20 years as the secretary treasurer.
Brown received the Centennial Medal for Citizen of the Year in 1976 and played a significant role in building the High Country Lodge and Glen Mead Lodge and was instrumental in acquiring the diamond monument located in front of the municipal building.
When the winning name is chosen, Page said a naming ceremony will take place and a plaque will be placed at the site with the name.
Black Diamond Mayor Glen Fagan said he looks forward to seeing which name the community selects.
“We’ve got a couple of historical perspectives and a general name for a park,” he said. “I like all three of them. The historical ones both families have been here for some time and contributed immensely to our community and I find that quite incredible.”
Fagan said he’s been hearing a lot of discussions around a name for the park.
“I’ve heard discussions at council meetings and out on the street and in general conversations,” he said. “I’m looking forward to selection time and getting a name assigned out there.”
The public can vote for their favourite name at town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
