Media Advisory

Renaming of Willett Street Reserve to Mary Clayton Memorial Park

Monday, August 26, 2013 (Halifax, NS) – On Wednesday June 28, media and the public are invited to join members of the community, along with Councillor Russell Walker for the renaming of the Willett Street Reserve to the Mary Clayton Memorial Park. The renaming is part of Regional Council’s recent approval of a number of asset naming requests.

Mary Clayton was a successful Halifax business woman who immigrated to Halifax in 1863. Her husband passed away a year later leaving Mary a widow with seven young children. She started a small family tailoring business, which by the turn of the century had grown into a successful clothing business, M. Clayton and Sons, employing between 400 and 500 people. In the early 1900’s, the Clayton family purchased 105 acres in southern Rockingham, and built a country house on the property. In 1959 most of the property was sold to developers, who transformed the land into the residential development known today as Clayton Park. An undeveloped parcel was acquired by the City of Halifax in 1977, and has since been enjoyed by local residents for passive recreation.

The renaming event will take place, rain or shine:

When: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 11 a.m.
Where: At the Mary Clayton Memorial Park (former Willett Street Reserve), 274 Willett Street, Halifax

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Contact:
Robert Candy
Co -chair Committee to Preserve the Willett Street Reserve
443-3224
rcandy@navnet.net