Aldergrove Athletic Park is a large community park that features sports fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a skateboard park, a picnic shelter, playground areas, the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, and the Rotary Field House. A new ball hockey box is currently under construction.
In addition, adjacent to Betty Gilbert Elementary School are two all-weather lit sports fields and next to Aldergrove Community Secondary School are an additional sports field and track.
"With so many sports-oriented facilities in one location, the name is more than appropriate," Leavers said, "and hopefully it will help people find their way to the park with less confusion."
Aldergrove Athletic Park is also home to Aldergrove Festival Days, which will be kicking off a weekend full of activities and events on July 25, with a celebration in the newly named park. All public information with respect to this year's festival refers to the new park name.
The other park gaining a new identity is getting a moniker that may sound familiar: Philip Jackman Park has been named in honour of the same gentleman whose family name can be found throughout Aldergrove, including Jackman Manor, Jackman Road (272 Street) and Jackman Pit.
"Philip Jackman was such an interesting individual," said Township of Langley Mayor Kurt Alberts. "He was the original pioneer who named the area Aldergrove. He was Reeve (Mayor) of the Township from 1895 to 1897. He was one of the Royal Engineers sent from England, and was the first police officer in New Westminster. He had a very fascinating life, and made a huge contribution to the community."
Jackman was born in Devon, England in 1835, and came to B.C. as a Royal Engineer in 1859. He helped build the road to False Creek, and served as a one-man police force in New Westminster.