Brampton City Council Renames Park To Honour The Death Of Two-Year-Old Boy

Published July 18, 2019 at 1:54 am

Brampton City Council has renamed one of its parks to honour the death of a two-year-old boy.

Brampton City Council has renamed one of its parks to honour the death of a two-year-old boy.

Lucas Holtom was tragically killed in Pine Lake, Alberta in 2000, when his family was caught in a tornado.

Jamie Holton, Lucas’s father, celebrates and honours his son with the Lucas Holtom Carnival Day, which has been held annually at Leander Park since 2001.

“Even though he only lived to be two, he had a real joyous life,” Holtom said. “So what better way to celebrate his life than to give other kids a chance to experience the same joy he found?”

The carnival is a free event put on by the North Bramalea United Church where Holtom is the lead minister.

Approximately 5,000 people come out to enjoy the event and honour his son’s legacy.

“People are amazed at the size of the carnival, and the fact that it is free,” said Holtom.

The family-friendly festival boasts a climbing wall, a dunk tank, bouncy castles, pony rides, live entertainment, and much more.

The festival relies on sponsorships from area businesses to cover operating costs and a team of volunteers.

Brampton City Council recognized Holtom as the “Citizen of the Year” in 2015. This year, the city renamed Leander Park to Lucas Holtom Children’s Park. The event began with the changing of the plaque and a memorial.

Lucas Holtom Children’s Park is located at 377 Howden Boulevard. The park features a forest theme and boasts a big slide playground, swings, a jungle gym and multiple climbing structures.

Holtom is thankful for the park and, to this day, celebrates his son’s life.

“No one can change the past, but on this day, there’s a real sense of hope and redemption,” says Holtom. “There is a sense of God bringing life … there is a spiritual element to this day that is hard to miss.”

Photo courtesy of New World Park Solutions

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