Calgary renames Chinatown park to ‘和園 Harmony’

The City of Calgary has renamed a Chinatown park “和園 Harmony Park and Parkade” as a part of its anti-racism plans Tuesday.

The park, formerly known as James Short Park and Parkade, was approved by city council after a renaming process that lasted a year.

James Short was a lawyer in Calgary in the late 1800s and early 1900s that had anti-Chinese and racist views. He also petitioned against a Chinese-owned building in 1910.

In a statement, the city says renaming the parkade is meant to address “the historic harm caused by racial discrimination against Chinese Calgarians.”

The name change comes after a pop-up art exhibit from local artist Annie Wong was displayed from Oct. 25 to 28.

A group made up of Chinatown community members and the city chose the name ‘和園 Harmony’ because it “represents a virtue that benefits society.”

“The time has come to bring forward a name that reflects inclusion of Calgary’s diverse communities, particularly those of ethno-cultural backgrounds. I’m pleased to see their recommended name approved,” Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong said. “Calgary’s Chinese community has been a long-standing builder and contributor that has endured and risen above the intergenerational harms of systemic racism. The renaming is an opportunity to reflect on the past, talk about diversity in the city, and to look ahead by telling a new story that talks about harmony in a culturally diverse city.”

Teresa Woo-Paw, president of the Asian Heritage Foundation and a member of Tomorrow’s Chinatown advisory group, says renaming the park was the right move to make.

“I applaud The City of Calgary’s commitment and efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and setting the city on a course to be an anti-racist city that treats all citizens with dignity and respect. There are other ways to learn about James Short,” Woo-Paw said. “The City and the people of Calgary are taking a stance on whether we keep the current name, meaning racist acts are acceptable; or make a change to acknowledge discrimination is never acceptable.”

Ed Tam, president of the Chinatown Community Association and member of Tomorrow’s Chinatown Advisory Group, says the park’s new name is significant to people in the area.

“The renaming is about change,” Tam said. “It is important to recognize what has happened in the past and move forward for a better understanding of the Chinatown community and its culture. The new name means a lot to the community and to Calgarians, and signals that those who are different can still live in harmony with others.”

Linda Kongnetiman, managing lead with the City of Calgary’s Anti-Racism Program, says there is more work to do on the path to anti-racism.

“While this renaming is a significant milestone toward addressing systemic racism experienced by the Chinese community in Calgary, we recognize it marks one step on an ongoing journey to become an anti-racist city,” Kongnetiman said.

The meaning of 和

Malcolm Chow, chairman of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre and member of Tomorrow’s Chinatown advisory group, explains the significance of the park’s name.

“The Chinese word 和 expresses the concept of peace, togetherness or the absence of conflict. For social interactions in a peaceful and orderly society, the concept of 和 is very much one of the key elements,” Chow said.

“Philosophers throughout the centuries have identified mutual respect, tolerance and the right to be different as the fundamental principles that guide a civilized society. Without any one of these three principles, a civilized society, especially a liberal democracy, cannot be sustained, as it will lead to conflicts and hostilities among the individuals.

“Chinese culture embraces these three fundamental principles. It attains mutual respect through rituals and customs, it encourages tolerance through generosity of spirit and understanding, and it fosters the right to be different through recognition and acceptance of the fact that everyone is different. But more importantly, the common thread that runs through all three is the concept and presence of 和.”

Lloyd 史羅一 and 黃恕寧 Shu-ning Sciban, members of Tomorrow’s Chinatown Advisory Group, say the park’s name is a reminder of the need to interact with many different people and views.

“The term also acknowledges the First People to occupy the land on which the park is situated, by recognizing their willingness to harmonize with their environment. And for Chinese people in Calgary, the name 和園 Harmony Park and Parkade is opposite to the racism that is part of the history of the park and that the renaming addresses.”

To learn more about 和園 Harmony Park and Parkade visit the city’s website.