STRATFORD - A provincial plaque was unveiled today to honour the driving force behind Stratford's parks system - R. Thomas Orr. Guests included Allan Gotlieb, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and Orr's grandson R. Thomas Orr, Vice-Chair of the Stratford Festival Board of Governors.

One of Stratford's leading citizens, Orr served his community for over 50 years. Orr's vision and leadership were responsible for the construction of Stratford's library and the war memorial, the extension of the provincial highway to Stratford, and the founding of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the Stratford Historical Society. Orr was also the driving force behind the creation of the Stratford parks system - including the renowned Shakespearean Gardens.

"The plaque unveiled today in Stratford marks an achievement of provincial significance," said Gotlieb. "Orr established an important cultural landscape during a significant period in the history of landscape architecture and design in Ontario."

Bill Preston, Chair of the Parks Board, said, "Orr's plans to link Stratford with the birthplace of William Shakespeare led to the creation of the Shakespearean Gardens. These parklands provided an inspirational setting in 1953 for the Stratford Festival - and for countless other activities along the banks of the Avon."

Throughout his life, Orr believed it was important to "have a plan and stick to it." A unique individual with a broad vision for his community and an eye for detail, Orr was adept at gaining support from others to realize his plans. His early training in construction, his design sense and his knowledge of plants gave him the authority and credibility to achieve his goals. Orr believed that community service was as important to Stratford as economic development.

This plaque unveiling is part of the Ontario Heritage Foundation's provincial plaque program. The distinctive blue and gold plaques commemorate more than 1,100 significant people, places and events in Ontario's history.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for all of us to enjoy now and for others to experience in the future.

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For more information, contact:

Gordon Pim
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 416-325-1484
E-mail: gordon.pim@heritagefdn.on.ca