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Maple Bay’s Herd Park renamed Andy Hutchins Park

Andy Hutchins was a prominent person in the community
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The Municipality of North Cowichan has renamed Herd Road Park for longtime community volunteer Andy Hutchins. (Photo submitted by Hutchins family)

North Cowichan council has approved the renaming of Herd Road Park, located near the east end of Herd Road in Maple Bay, to Andy Hutchins Park.

The park’s new name honours the late Andy Hutchins, who was a North Cowichan firefighter in Maple Bay for more than 45 years.

Hutchins was also fire chief for 23 of those years, and was in involved in numerous community groups and initiatives.

He was a dedicated Cowichan Rugby Football Club member, a founding member and past-president of the Maple Bay Rowing Club, and an integral part of the Cowichan Sportsplex board where he led many expansion projects.

He served 10 years on the KidSport Board, raising more than $500,000 during that time, and in 2013 Hutchins was recognized by the province with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Service.

“With plenty of green space, a newly fenced dog park, a playground, and very popular pickleball courts, this park offers so much, just as Andy did to his community,” said Mayor Al Siebring.

“It’s an honour to recognize such a valued and respected member of our fire department and Maple Bay community, who is missed by many.”

A park renaming application was submitted by a member of the public, which went on to receive significant community support, and in the end was also supported by council.

The original name for the park came from its location on Herd Road, which is named after the Herd family who had family members elected to North Cowichan council in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The name Herd will continue to be prominent on one of the longest and busiest roads in the municipality.