A park in Scarborough will be renamed after former councillor Cynthia Lai, after Scarborough councillors voted unanimously to support the park renaming.
Lai died just days before the 2022 election. She represented Ward 23 Scarborough North from 2018 until her passing.
Rosebank Park — located at 1051 Progress Avenue — will soon be known as Cynthia Lai Park in honour of the late councillor.
“Councillor Lai was a dedicated public servant who left a legacy in our community,” wrote Councillor Jamaal Myers, who succeeded Lai on council, in a letter to the City requesting the name change. “She signified the spirit of service and inclusion that we strive to uphold in our City and was committed to improved the lives of residents in our Ward and throughout our City. Renaming Rosebank Park is a meaningful way to ensure her memory and contributions inspire future generations.”
Councillor Myers circulated a petition in the community to get the backing of residents to support the name change. Lai’s name appeared on the ballot in the 2022 election as her passing was only days before that year’s municipal election. But any advance votes or election day votes she received were not counted. Myers received the most recorded votes.
Prior to serving on council, Lai worked for many years as a realtor and was for a time president of the Toronto Real Estate Board.
“As the first immigration woman of Asian descent election to City Council in Scarborough, Councillor Lai broke barriers,” Coun. Myers wrote in his letter.
