A new sister-city agreement between Mississauga and a major western Ukrainian municipality has been bolstered by the renaming of a recently renovated park in the city’s east end.

Gulleden Park, located beside Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in the Dixie/Burnhamthorpe roads area, will be renamed Ternopil Park in recognition of, among other things, the twinning pact struck in May between the City of Mississauga and the Ukrainian city of some 225,000 people.

The move, unanimously approved by Mississauga city council on Wednesday, also comes as a nod to what Ward 3 Coun. Chris Fonseca described in her motion as the growing and active Ukrainian community in Mississauga.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish said on Wednesday renaming the Mississauga green space Ternopil Park is “a fabulous idea.”

After being closed for nearly two years for major upgrades and additions, the large Mississauga park reopened in June to offer residents many new amenities.

Senior city staff will now prepare a report on the name change and bring the information to the Heritage Advisory Committee in November for further approval prior to a final green light from city council.

Several reasons to rename the park

In her motion’s preamble, Fonseca noted:

The city recognizes the importance of fostering international relationships that promote cultural exchange, economic cooperation and global engagement.
The city entered into a twinning partnership with Kariya, Japan in 1981 and subsequently named a Mississauga park for the Japanese city.
Mississauga and Ternopil, Ukraine entered into a twinning partnership earlier this year.
Ternopil recently renamed a number of public spaces and facilities after Mississauga to mark the new sister-city pact.
Mississauga is home to a growing and active Ukrainian community that contributes significantly to the cultural and civic life of the city.
St. Sofia Byzantine Catholic Elementary School, which offers a Ukrainian bilingual program and backs onto Gulleden Park, is home to many residents of Ukrainian heritage.

Gulleden Park in the east end of Mississauga officially reopened on June 20 complete with a number of new amenities and upgrades. Moving forward, it will be called Ternopil Park. (Photos: City of Mississauga)

Following city council’s approval on April 29 that Mississauga establish a sister-city relationship with Ternopil, the cities’ mayors signed official documents on May 15 joining the two cities “as long-term partners fostering international friendship, among other benefits,” Mississauga officials said earlier this year.

The twinning agreement follows similar pacts signed between 16 other Canadian and Ukrainian cities, officials said earlier this year.

Reimagined park offers many new additions

The renovated park offers many new upgrades that include:

A refrigerated ice skating rink with summer programming options that include roller-blading.
Two dedicated pickleball courts, a multi‑use court (including for basketball) and two lit tennis courts.
A community spray pad and upgraded playground.
An accessible trail system to support walking, rolling and inclusive mobility.
An outdoor fitness area with equipment for all skill levels.
Junior skateboard features for beginners, including small ramps, rails and seat walls.
New tree planting and pollinator gardens to support environmental sustainability and habitat creation.


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