Hamilton, Ont. park named after former Kenesky Sports owner, Joel Hulsman – Hamilton

The city of Hamilton officially named a small park in the city’s northeast end after a late hockey icon.

Affectionately known as the “mayor of Barton Street,” Joel Hulsman’s legacy is set to live on through a park with a playground at the corner of Burton Street and Douglas Avenue.

Hulsman, who passed away at 65 on March 13, was the longtime owner of the legendary Kenesky Sports, which was originally started by the family of the man who invented ice hockey goalie pads, Emil “Pops” Kenesky.

The memorial is located just steps away from the neighbourhood where Hulsman grew up and began his legacy with Kenesky, taking a job at the historic sporting goods store as a youth.

Eva Rothwell Centre developer Rev. Don MacVicar, who advocated for the park’s naming, said Hulsman’s relationship with Kenesky stretched back several decades as an employee and owner.

“Joel was just amazing because he started when he was 12 years old just fixing bikes … then moving on to hockey equipment, like goalie pads, and then running the businesses himself,” MacVicar told 900 CHML’s Good Morning Hamilton.

2:32
Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Kate Hudson appear at TIFF on day three

Previous Video

Next Video

Kenesky’s sons accepted a buyout from Hulsman in the mid-’80s allowing the Hamilton-native to become a partner.

MacVicar, who went to high school with Hulsman at Sir John A Macdonald, said his generosity was…