In a heartfelt gesture of recognition, the City of Toronto has renamed a small greenspace in Regent Park to honour the late Louis March, a prominent grassroots community organizer, anti-gun violence advocate, and Black Canadian activist.
On Sunday afternoon, a ceremony was held to rename and officially reopen the park, bringing together Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto Centre Coun. Chris Moise, members of March’s family, and community groups including the Regent Park Mothers of Peace and the Zero Gun Violence Movement.
The formerly named Sumach-Shuter Parkette, located at 485 Shuter St., was recently redesigned by the city to better serve the community, offering playground improvements, new furniture, improved park lighting, tree planting, a new splashpad, and an off-leash area for dogs.
“The newly named Louis March Park, approximately 1.2 acres of recently redesigned parkland, commemorates the late Louis March’s contributions to the City of Toronto and the Regent Park community. This location was chosen by Regent Park community leaders, with broad local support, and in consultation with the March family,” according to a statement made by Moise’s office.
In an Instagram post, Moise said the park will serve as a symbol of the community’s “commitment to safety, care, opportunity and love.”
Inspired by Louis’s legacy, this park will serve as a place for connection, healing, and growth for generations to come,” he wrote.
A proposal made to rename the park received 13 online votes, along with 63 signatures on a hard copy petition. Additionally, another online petition received more than 800 signatures.
Despite the park’s retitling, some people gathered shortly before the reopening to protest and voice their concerns, noting that they were not consulted about the renaming.
March, a Jamaican-born Scarborough resident, was a long-standing community worker, and local safety and youth empowerment advocate, leaving behind a career in the corporate sector to focus on serving African Canadian communities across the city.
The advocate is best known for founding Zero Gun Violence Movement, a collaborative advocacy and awareness initiative aimed at reducing gun violence, addressing its root causes, and providing a healthy and safe community for all.
March also spent time working to help confront anti-Black racism, along with providing support to community groups and mothers impacted by loss and gun violence.
“March dedicated over three decades to fighting gun violence and its underlying causes. While his work spanned communities across the city, Louis had a deep connection to Regent Park. He spent significant time engaging with residents, responding to incidents of violence and combating stigma,” the statement said.
“He stood with the community through grief and healing, consistently supporting young people and their families. His presence, mentorship and leadership were instrumental in building trust and pushing for action.”
On July 20, 2024, March died suddenly at the age of 68, after battling a brief undisclosed illness.
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Moise said March’s sudden death “was a profound loss for the city.”
In 2008, March received several awards for his advocacy and volunteer work, including the Province of Ontario Volunteer Service and the Mayor’s Community Safety award in 2021.
In a 2024 expression of condolences, the City of Toronto said it would continue to honour and implement March’s work.
“He will be remembered for his words: ‘Continue to think big and then go out and make even bigger things happen.’”
