Friday, September 28, 2018 5 Brooklin Town Crier Historically speaking - Brian Winter Grass Park Isn't Named For The Grass That Grows In It Grass Park, in the centre of Brooklin, is named after Charles Grass who owned the site from 1907 till his death in 1941. For years, Mr. Grass, a miller at the Brooklin brick mill, maintained his property as a public park and willed it to the Whitby Township upon his death. The Township at first refused the bequest, but when Mr. Grass's daughter, Harriet Fraser, wanted to sell the property for development in 1949, concerned citizens stated they did not want to lose the park. In the summer of 1951, a canvass was held for Brooklin citizens to raise $1,600 to purchase the park from Mrs. Fraser. Individual contributions ranged from 25 cents to $200. The park was saved and presented to the Township of Whitby. It is now owned by the Town of Whitby and maintained by the Brooklin Horticultural Society. It is a fine example of what public support can do. The First Gas Pump in Brooklin The first gas pump was installed in Brooklin in 1917 by Harry Goodenow. Mr. Goodenow's garage was in the former Stephen Mead Thomas store on the west side of Baldwin Street near what is now the Renascent Centre. Mr. Goodenow sold his garage in 1924 and moved to Toronto. The building he used as Brooklin's first garage, was demolished in 1936. Brooklin, on the main route to cottage country, was later known for its many garages and service stations. Some of the owners were Wes Schell and Percy Maynard.