Name:
This park honours Robert (Bobby) Kerr (1882-1963), a world class sprinter. Although he was born in Enniskillen, Ireland, he immigrated to Canada at a very young age, and received his education in the Hamilton school system. In 1904, in St. Louis, he became the first Canadian ever to compete in an Olympic Games. In 1908 he won gold in the 200m sprint, and bronze in the 100m sprint, at the IV Olympics in London, England. These and many other victories let him hold the title, "world's greatest sprinter" for 15 years. Some of his records even went undefeated for 50 years.
A member of the Canadian Hall of Fame, Bobby stayed active in Hamilton sport after his sprinting days. He was the president of the Hamilton Olympic Club, and helped organize one of Hamilton's biggest sports events, the 1930 British Empire Games. Some of the many athletic organizations in which he has played a part are the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Association, the Ontario Athletic Association, the 91st Highlanders' Athletic Association. Mr. Kerr was also active in the Rotary Club, the Hamilton Sales and Advertising Club, the Masonic Order, and the First United Church.
The Board of Education gave the City the land for Bobby Kerr Park. This property was later transferred to the Parks Board on November 12, 1968. A monument stands in the park to honour Bobby Kerr.