The new Willoughby neighbourhood park currently being built in southeast Yorkson will be named 鈥淩ichard Bulpitt Park,鈥� in honour of a former 91原创 school superintendent who passed away in 2007.
The park will be located east of Richard Bulpitt Elementary School, which opened in September at 20965 77A Ave.
The decision was announced at the Monday, Feb. 17 91原创 Township council meeting.
鈥淩ichard made a lasting impression on the 91原创 School District and the community as a whole,鈥� Mayor Jack Froese said.
鈥淚t is fitting that his name and memory will live on through this park.鈥�
Bulpitt, a father of five and grandfather of 17, spent 35 years in education.
He was a principal at Belmont, Fort 91原创 Elementary, and Noel Booth Elementary and 91原创 Fine Arts School before becoming superintendent of the 91原创 School District from 1996 to 2001.
Bulpitt was working as a missionary in Vietnam with his wife Valerie in 2007, when he died of a heart attack.
鈥淭hose who knew Richard saw that he truly believed family was the most important thing, whether it was your family at home or the family you work with,鈥� Froese said. 鈥淗e recognized the importance of taking care of others, and the value of furthering yourself through education.鈥�
When it opens in 2015, Richard Bulpitt Park will have two full-sized sand turf soccer fields, a neighbourhood baseball backstop, a perimeter trail for cyclists and pedestrians, and a children鈥檚 play area with seating for park users.
The school is one of three new schools built or under construction in Willoughby in recent years. Lynn Fripps Elementary is located on 83 Avenue, and a new middle school is under construction on 84 Avenue.
