A blueprint of the Garden of Reflection, located in the Hyde Park Village Green. Image via Hyde Park Business Improvement Association. A blueprint of the Garden of Reflection, located in the Hyde Park Village Green. Image via Hyde Park Business Improvement Association.
London

Memorial garden opening in Hyde Park commemorating Afzaal family

Londoners will soon be able to enjoy a stunning and serene space created to honour the memory of the Afzaal family.

The Hyde Park Business Association (HPBIA) has collaborated with the City of London and the community to create a Garden of Reflection, which will reside in the newly revitalized Hyde Park Village Green, located at 1695 Hyde Park Road, north of Gainsborough Road.

HPBIA said the garden has been designed to foster healing and promote inclusivity in recognition of "Our London Family." The space will feature vibrant flowers, calming water features and thoughtful art installations, carefully selected to create a welcoming space where the community can gather to remember the four members of the Afzaal family, whose lives were taken in an alleged Islamophobic attack two years ago.

"The Hyde Park Village Green’s Garden of Reflection stands as a testament to our commitment to stand together, united against hatred and discrimination," said HPBIA CEO and General Manager Donna Szpakowski. "This space will serve as a lasting tribute to [Our London Family], reminding us of the importance of love, acceptance, and compassion in our community."

The City of London worked with the public throught the "Get Involved London" project to seek feedback and suggestions on the design features of the Hyde Park Village Green. HPBIA said it believes this approach helped ensure the space will represent a shared vision from the community.

Along with the Garden of Reflection, the urban park will also serve as a venue for community events that promote unity, diversity and understanding. HPBIA plans to collaborate with local organizations and groups to organize activities such as workshops, gatherings and educational programming.

"These initiatives will provide opportunities for dialogue, learning, and building bridges of understanding within our community. Furthermore, the Hyde Park Village Green will also be utilized to foster music initiatives, recognizing the powerful role of music in bringing people together and promoting harmony within our community," read a release from HPBIA.

The opening of the park will take place on Saturday, June 17, during PondFest, an annual summer event put on by HPBIA. Several members from varying levels of government in London will be in attendance including Mayor Josh Morgan, London West MP Arielle Kayabaga, MPP Peggy Sattler, along with the city's Muslim Community Liason Advisor Ahmer Khan.

Funding for the Hyde Park Village Green rehabilitation project was made through a $500,000 grant through FedDev Ontario's Canada Community Revitalization Fund in southern Ontario. Additional funding, bringing total upgrade costs to $800,000 were supported by the City of London, the Hyde Park BIA, and Oxford Dodge Chrysler.

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