Hamilton park could be renamed to honour Devan Selvey

The potential renaming of a Hamilton park to honour a teenager killed in 2019 will be discussed at City Hall on Wednesday.

In Oct. 2019, Devan Selvey, 14, was stabbed to death in front of his mother as she arrived at school to rescue him from alleged bullies.

Selvey was killed by another 14-year-old outside of Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with second-degree murder in Selvey’s death. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years.

In Ward 4, Roxborough Park, the park that could possibly be renamed to Devan Selvey Memorial Park, was in the same neighbourhood Selvey grew up in.

“It’s going to be nice for the neighbourhood. Everyone’s going to remember him, everyone’s going to hear his story,” a neighbour reacted to the possible name change.

WATCH MORE: Teen who pleaded guilty in Devan Selvey’s death sentenced to 7 years

“It’s very sad that Devon passed away. I don’t see any reason why not to change the name of the park,” another neighbour said.

“Devan was a gentle, kind-hearted youth known for his love of cars, animals and helping others. Roxborough Park holds profound personal significance as the very ground where Devon spent some of his happiest childhood memories playing tee-ball and engaging in community recreation,” Tammy Hwang, Ward 4 councillor said in a statement.

“Renaming the park is far more than a symbolic gesture; it provides a vital venue for active community building and ongoing anti-bullying awareness.”

Selvey’s death sparked a province-wide conversation about bullying and encouraged the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to create a new anti-bullying panel.

The Facility Naming Sub-Committee Meeting is set to take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WATCH MORE: Judge discusses fate of teen who killed Devan Selvey in 2019