Popular park closed for wetlands project gets new name honouring Brampton councillor

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Published April 24, 2024 at 2:59 pm

Popular park closed for wetlands project gets new name honouring Brampton councillor
A part of the valley lands of the Etobicoke Creek, Loafer’s Lake Park in Brampton has officially been renamed Paul Palleschi Park.

The city is moving ahead with the renaming of one of the city’s most popular parks as a tribute to Paul Palleschi, the late city councillor who kicked off a political dynasty and has been credited as one of the architects of modern-day Brampton.

The city officially approved the renaming of Brampton’s Loafer’s Lake Park to Paul Palleschi Park earlier this month after receiving a request from the public to change the name in honour of the late city councillor.

Renaming of Loafer’s Lake Park follows the city christening the former Loafer’s Lake Recreation Centre

First elected in 1985, Palleschi served on both to Brampton City Council and Peel Regional Council. He was a public servant for nearly 30 years before retiring from politics in the lead-up to the 2014 municipal election.

After stepping down voters kept the Palleschi name in council chambers with the election of Paul’s son Michael, who was elected that same year and is the current councillor for Wards 2 and 6.

The councillor died in 2016 at age 65 while on vacation in Florida. Former Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey reemmebered Paul as “a councillor that didn’t shy away from his responsibilities and was always ready to roll up his sleeves.”

When the city christened the rec centre after the late councillor, Mayor Patrick Brown called Paul “one of the great builders of modern Brampton” and that the city owes him “a debt of gratitude for his years of public service.”

Part of the lake and Etobicoke Creek Trail have been closed since April for the Etobicoke Creek Wetlands Enhancement Project, which includes improving the shoreline and wetland habitat, adding viewing platforms and a trail realignment.

The closures will be in place until further notice while access to the Paul Palleschi Recreation Centre, splash pad and rotary garden will remain open during construction.

The province has invested over $2.5 million into a Brampton-led project maintain the wetland areas in four locations of the Etobicoke Creek watershed.

For more information on Paul Palleschi Park and the Etobicoke Creek Wetlands Enhancement Project visit www.Brampton.ca.

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