Memorial bench to be installed at Bowmanville park to honour man killed by suspected drunk driver

With naming protocols prioritizing naming new parks after the road they’re on, an idea to call a new park in north Bowmanville ‘Spencer Park’ after a man tragically killed by a suspected impaired driver this summer fell through.

A memorial bench, in a location “meaningful to the family,” will be installed instead at newly named Middle Park, located at 3301 Middle Road at the top end of urbanized Bowmanville.

Spencer McCracken, 31, was out walking with his wife Breanna and six-month-old daughter Lily shortly after 8:30 p.m. on July 21. As they made their way down Simpson Avenue a Hyundai sedan struck a Hyundai SUV.

The sedan lost control and drove into the family. All three were rushed to hospital where McCracken was pronounced dead. His wife and daughter were seriously hurt.

The sedan driver, Liam James Patrick Kendall, 22 of Clarington, was charged with five offences, including impaired driving causing death.

More than 1,300 people nominated Spencer McCracken Park as their top choice for the new park, despite naming parks after individuals not being permitted under municipal policy. Orchard View Park was the staff recommendation after receiving 73 per cent of the nearly 5,000 public submissions, followed by Middle Road Park.

The park will include:

• An accessible playground
• Large shade structure
• Splash pad
• Softball diamond including a backstop, outfield fence, spectator seating and supporting amenities
• Significant landscaping including tree planting and naturalized zones
• Benches and seating
• Paved walkways and a parking lot

Clarington Council also waived the customary $3,107.50 fee for the memorial bench to be installed.

Middle Park, Bowmanville