June 21, 2012 - 4:20 PM
HUDSON, Que. - A unique tribute will be paid this weekend to the late Jack Layton.
A park is being named after him in his hometown, Hudson, Que., with the official opening on Saturday.
The park was originally known as the Hudson Marina and the spot held a special role in Layton's early political activism.
As a boy, Layton would spend his summers there, at the next-door yacht club. He even got in trouble there as a teenager, after he staged an act of political rebellion.
In the 1960s, Layton invited scores of poorer francophone kids to join a party at the posh Anglo club. Last year, Layton told Maclean's magazine that, as a result of his gesture, the adults threatened to disband the youth club he led — so he shut it down himself.
The spot next to the yacht club will now be known as Jack Layton Park. The official opening this weekend will be attended by Layton's family, as well as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012