Official opening of Jolly Way Park celebrates Community Icon Denham Jolly

BY PAUL JUNOR

On Saturday, November 4^th, 2023, the “Jolly Way Park ” was officially opened in Scarborough. The park is located at 1001 Ellesmere Road next to the townhouse neighbourhood adjacent to Kennedy Road and Ellesmere Road.

The park is a fitting tribute to Denham Jolly, human rights activist, author, philanthropist and businessman. The opening of the park comes four years after the naming of Jolly Way, a new street near Ellesmere Road and Kennedy Road.

There were about one hundred guests in attendance who witnessed the unveiling of the sign announcing Jolly Way. Councillor Michael Thompson spoke at the official ceremony. “Denham Jolly is a legend in our city. His achievements in business alone are noteworthy, but they are dwarfed by his contributions to diversity, culture and social justice in our city.” He lauded the contributions of Jolly to the life of Toronto and his “outstanding legacy.”

In a tweet by John Tory, former Mayor of Toronto he stated, “It was my pleasure to join Mr. B Denham Jolly this afternoon for a street dedication in his name. Mr. Jolly’s legacy as an: award-winning business, recognized philanthropist, successful entrepreneur, publisher, author and civil rights activist will live on through Jolly Way.”

Councillor Michael Thompson has been a strong supporter of naming the park. In a press release issued on Friday, October 27^th, 2023, from his office, he acknowledged the significance of this historic recognition. “Since 2019, Jolly Way has been a wonderful, unifying street in Scarborough Centre. The enhanced development and additional housing in the area have provided us with an opportunity to expand and develop a park and playground and a wonderful community asset that brings families together to celebrate and reflect our diversity. When asked to name the park after the street and after the great Torontonian that is Denham Jolly, I couldn’t think of a jollier way to expand this reach than to ensure the street and park reflect the deep and diverse community connection.”

Some of Jolly’s accomplishments noted in the press release include:

• Co-founder of the Black Business Professional Association (BBPA) in 1982.
• Founder of Canada’s first Black-owned radio station, Toronto FLOW 93.6 FM in 2001.
• Publisher and financial backer of the weekly newspaper, Contrast
• Owner and operator of Tyndall Nursing Homes

His extensive community work includes being Director of the Toronto International Film Festival and a board member of:

• Jamaica Canada Association
• Black Action Defense Committee
• Black Inmates Organization
• Harriet Tubman Games
• YMCA
• Toronto’s Annual Caribbean Festival

In 2017, he published his autobiography, “In the Black, My Life,” which garnered him the Toronto Book Award for that year. His extensive contributions earned him an Order of Canada, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Toronto.

The naming of Jolly Way Park did not occur in isolation. There was a process of community consultations that involved diverse community stakeholders who participated to ensure that the design and amenities in the park were appropriate. The press release describes some of the things such as: a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic umbrella tables, Muskoka chairs, benches, seating walls, bottle-filling stations and ample trees and shrubs.

In his response to the official naming of the Park Jolly states, “I am very grateful that the esteemed reaches of city council have seen fit to acknowledge some of my contributions and accomplishments in the town in which I live. It’s more than an honour. Most people are forgotten once they pass, but with this recognition: first the street and now the park-my name, will live on long after I am gone.”