Welland City Council Approves Naming of Two Parks in Memory of Teens Who Lost Their Lives on Take Your Kids to Work Day

Strategic Insights -

On Tuesday, the Welland city council unanimously approved a motion to name two new parks after two Niagara teens who tragically lost their lives in a workplace accident at John Deere in 2000. The parks, located in new Empire Communities subdivisions, will be named after Rob Fullbrook and Amanda Peat, both 14 years old at the time of the accident. The motion was brought forward by Ward 6 Coun. Bonnie Fokkens, who sought to honor the memories of the two teens on the National Day of Mourning in Canada, which recognizes workers injured or killed on the job.

Key Takeaways:

  • The two parks will be located in new Empire Communities subdivisions and will face the Welland Canal.
  • The park in the Dain West subdivision will be named after Rob Fullbrook and located at Block 67 between Canal Bank Street and the former canal.
  • The park in Dain East will be named after Amanda Peat and located at Block 124, north of Forks Road and overlooking the working canal.
  • Fullbrook and Peat, both 14, died after a crash at the Dain City plant on November 2, 2000.
  • The coroner's inquest six months after the incident recommended several safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
  • The families of Fullbrook and Peat approved the naming of the parks in honor of their children.
  • The parks will serve as a memorial to the two teens and will help to educate the public about workplace safety.

Statistics:

  • Two new parks will be created in Welland's south end to honor Rob Fullbrook and Amanda Peat.
  • The parks will be located in new Empire Communities subdivisions and will face the Welland Canal.
  • Fullbrook and Peat were 14 years old when they lost their lives in the workplace accident at John Deere in 2000.
  • The coroner's inquest recommended that students not be permitted to drive motorized vehicles during job-shadowing days.
  • The inquest also recommended that companies develop clear rules for employees who will oversee visiting students.

Sources:

  • The Welland Tribune: "New city parks in Welland's south end will be named in remembrance of two Niagara teens who lost their lives during a Take Your Kids To Work Day event at John Deere in November 2000."
  • Twitter: @DaveJTheTrib
  • National Day of Mourning in Canada: "This day is observed to recognize and honor workers who are killed, injured, or become ill on the job."
  • Coroners' Report: "Recommendations for Preventing Future Workplace Accidents" (no date provided)