Harcourt Crescent resident Ken Rowe served as the Town of Mississauga’s Industrial Commissioner from 1967 through 1973, just prior to the establishment of the City of Mississauga and Region of Peel. Mr. Rowe came to the post with seven years background as a member of the Planning Board of the Toronto Township.
When he was hired by the municipality he was responsible for the task of convincing industry to locate in this growing community-a hard task in those days as anything west of Etobicoke was considered by Torontonians as the ‘country’.
Mr. Rowe realized that he could reach his target audience with an intensive advertising campaign on CFRB Radio. He developed a $9,000 advertising program with ads being aired during prime time. CFRB was the most popular radio station among the decision-makers of the day. The ads would be aired three days each week and every second ad was different. Some of the old-timers in the City will remember Ken as the architect of the concept of placing obnoxious industry in an area by itself, away from other less offensive business operations. That planning principal has served this city well over the years.
That beautiful ‘canopy’ of maple trees along Johnathan Drive was not planted as a condition of approval for the 1960 Plan of Subdivision by Lawsmith Holdings when that part of Applewood was developed, but rather was the work of Jim Dalipes.
Mr. Dalipes, who owned a florist business and lived on Johnathan Drive, decided to involve his neighbours in a project that has and will continue to live for years to come. In 1967 he convinced everyone on the street to donate $5 toward a fund to purchase maple trees. In all, there are more than 30 trees now standing soaring above the roof lines of the homes. This provides a beautiful canopy effect giving shade in the summer and, of course, when in full bloom, affording the area brilliant foliage.
Four people have been memorialized with plaques placed on the grounds at Westacres Public School and adjacent Westacres Park.
A plaque, located at the base of a tree near the playground equipment, is in memory of Westfield Drive resident Deborah Delo, a young mother who, while standing on a sidewalk waiting to cross the street, became a victim of a traffic accident and tragically lost her life. Deborah was a mother at Westacres Public School and also active at the Applewood Co-Operative Preschool, which operates at the Applewood United Church. Deborah’s preschool colleagues placed the plaque which reads “In Memory of Deborah Delo, 1952-1990. Applewood Co-Operative Preschool”. A memorial fund has been established in Deborah’s name to benefit families who come to the school who may have some financial concerns.
The second plaque was placed at the tree just at the end of the garden section off Breezy Brae at the north-west end of the park. The plaque reads “In Memory of Ted Vanderstarren, March 1994. Remembered by his colleagues at the City of Mississauga Parks Department”. Ted, who died of a heart attack at age 57, was the horticulturist responsible for Westacres Park. He was instrumental in the design and development of the park’s floral garden and spent 14 years with the department at this location.
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