‘A tremendous tribute’: Thunder Bay park to be named after Earl Plato

For those who have lived in Fort Erie for a certain length of time, two names quickly come to mind when the discussion turns to the natural environment: Bert Miller and Earl Plato.

But as more people move to the area, the names of those two environmental educators could be at risk of being forgotten. That’s why councillors have supported a proposal to name a Thunder Bay park after Plato, even though it doesn’t fully align with the town’s existing naming policy.

“I think it’s a tremendous tribute to an individual who spent a lot of time educating not just children, because he was an educator, but also the public at large,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop.

“Earl Plato was a historian, educator, author, and naturalist who made significant contributions to local history, environmental education, and conservation within the Fort Erie and Ridgeway communities,” the staff report said.

He wrote many books and newspaper articles on the history and natural heritage of Fort Erie, led guided tours of Marcy’s Woods, educated the public on the Carolinian forest and its natural features and was a founding member of both the Bert Miller Nature Club and Bertie Historical Society.

At a May meeting, members of council suggested naming the park after Plato. Planning and Museum Services staff and the heritage committee had suggested other names, including Thunder Bay Park, Claus Farm Park and Haun Farm Park. Butler’s Rangers Park was also suggested for review.

Of these options, the staff report said the first two, Thunder Bay Park and Claus Farm Park, “have a direct historical and cultural connection to the site,” which is a standard in existing policy. Staff had recommended naming it Thunder Bay Park.

However, members of council said naming it after Plato would preserve his memory, while naming it after Thunder Bay would have limited impact.

“To name this park after Earl Plato doesn’t really detract from the idea that there’s an area in town called Thunder Bay,” Redekop said.

“Thunder Bay is never going anywhere, it’s not like the Gulf of Mexico being changed to the Gulf of U.S.A.,” added Councillor Tom Lewis, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump trying to rename the famous body of water.

With new people moving to Fort Erie, Lewis said Plato’s name could be forgotten. Plato died in 2017 at the age of 86.

“I think it’s important we ensure we highlight some of the history and the historical aspects and some of the components that helped shape our community and turn it into the community it is,” Lewis said.

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