Len Joylyn Jr. NPD ’76

Written By: Tom Clancy NPD 1961 and Hans Loewig NPD 1968

1920-1978

Len (center) is with Ernie Seager (right) and Harry Brumpton (left). All 3 were strong supporters of the OPA (Ontario Parks Association), while Len was the only School of Horticulture graduate. Ernie was a longtime employee with the City of Hamilton, while Harry was a longtime employee with the City of Windsor. 

In fact, Harry Brumpton, along with Stu MacKenzie and John Rosenberger, were all involved in hiring me (Greg) as a summer student in Windsor Parks when I was in my teens! Interestingly, I once went on a Myrtle Beach Golf trip with Neil Campbell (my boss at Kitchener Parks at the time), Alec Thompson, and a guy named George McGlinchey (a friend of Alec’s). We met up in Myrtle Beach with Ernie, Bob Munson (from the City of St. Catherine’s), and 2 other guys from St. Catherine’s that I didn’t know. Needless to say, it was a busy week in more ways than one!

-Greg Kett NPD 1972

Len was born in England and came to Canada with his family at a young age. Len grew up with horticulture and parks operations as his father (Len Joylyn Sr.) worked for the Brantford Parks Board. In fact they lived beside the greenhouses in Cockshutt Park, and during his teenage years he helped his father working in the greenhouses.

Len was accepted into the School for Apprentice Gardeners, as it was known then, as a student in the Class of 1940. When the second World War started in 1939, although he was in his second year, he enlisted along with other students and they received a  leave of absence from the Commission to return to the school when the war was over.

After the war when Len returned he was offered a full time job with the Brantford Parks Board and married Margaret Bowden, so he did not complete his studies at the School, instead learned on the job.

Ultimately his father was promoted to Superintendent of Parks and Len took over the position of Foreman of Horticulture. When Len Sr. retired Len was promoted to Superintendent of Parks around 1960. Then in 1963 the City amalgamated the Parks Board with the Recreation Commission. The Board that was commissioned to operate Parks & Recreation appointed Len to the position of the Administrator of Parks and Recreation which he held until his death in 1978.

He served Brantford for 33 years.                                                                   

Len was a strong supporter of the School of Horticulture and of course the Alumni Association. Although he did not graduate, he continued to associate with many of his school friends and when the Alumni was formed he was invited to become an associate member and participated at all Alumni events, meetings and conferences. He was respected by all graduates and worked with many who pursued a career in the parks field.  Len was a quiet leader within the Alumni Association. 

Len also became very active in the Ontario Parks Association and became involved soon after the OPA re-organization. He was elected to the OPA board and held the position of President in 1967. Len and his wife Marg were very involved with the OPA and hosted many events, conferences and social activities in Brantford.

The City of Brantford has an excellent reputation for their parks   especially the horticultural displays. This is a direct result of Len’s dedication and horticultural expertise. He established a 3 year horticulture apprenticeship program in Brantford through the Ministry of Labour which was quite innovative in the municipal  business. He developed a number of talented journeyman horticulturists many of whom remained in Brantford with others moving on to other Parks Departments.  

It is important to acknowledge that the Alumni, Staff of the School, and the Niagara Parks Commission paid tribute to Len Joylyn’s lifetime achievements in horticulture and his accomplishments in municipal parks. In 1976 Len was awarded the NPC Diploma in Horticulture and celebrated his graduation with the grads of 1976.  To Len on a personal level this was very meaningful.                              

Len was an avid golfer and felt the Alumni needed more social events. He organized and hosted the first Alumni golf tournament in Brantford around 1970. During the 70’s & 80’s this became an annual event with golf at Northridge golf course and the social evening at Hugh McCrackens Garden Centre afterwards. There are many wonderful memories of those events during that time.                                                                           

After Len’s death the Alumni named their annual golf event : “ The Len Joylyn Memorial Golf Tournament”