Two parks in Mississauga’s east end have officially been renamed, marking a celebration of cultural heritage and local history. At a pair of unveiling ceremonies held Friday, city officials, community members, and Mayor Carolyn Parrish introduced the new identities of the former Max Ward Park and Danville Park.
The green space formerly known as Max Ward Park has been renamed Philippine Park in honour of Mississauga’s vibrant and growing Filipino community. The renaming was celebrated with a ceremony near Matheson Boulevard East, just south of Toronto Pearson International Airport, where Filipino-Canadians and city representatives gathered to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, the original Danville Park, located nearby on Danville Road, is now officially known as Max Ward Memorial Park. The name pays tribute to Max Ward, a Canadian aviation pioneer and founder of Wardair Ltd., a former major Canadian airline.
Mayor Parrish originally proposed the name swap last month, suggesting that the aviation-themed Danville site — a popular spot for plane-watching — would be a more fitting location to carry Max Ward’s legacy. The site includes a viewing platform frequently visited by aviation enthusiasts eager to watch planes take off and land at Pearson, Canada’s busiest airport.
Max Ward’s airline, founded in 1952, once ranked as the third-largest in the country before merging into Canadian Airlines in 1989, which later became part of Air Canada.
City officials said the dual renaming reflects Mississauga’s diverse identity and aims to create inclusive public spaces that honor both history and heritage.
“These parks are more than just green spaces,” said a city spokesperson. “They’re hubs where our communities gather — for tennis, softball, cricket, tobogganing, or simply to spend time with family and friends. This is one of many ways we celebrate the people and stories that make Mississauga so unique.”
The new park signs are already in place, and maps show the close proximity between Philippine Park, Max Ward Memorial Park, and Toronto Pearson Airport — a symbolic triangle that ties together community, culture, and aviation legacy.