A Bristol park is set to be renamed in honour of a teen who died outside of his home after a fatal stabbing. The family of Eddie King, known as EK to his friends, have spent 18 months trying to find an appropriate way to honour him.
The idea to rename the park came after Eddie’s family met with Highways and the street naming team in Bristol. Originally, Eddie’s family wanted to rename Grosvenor Road to Eddie King Road, this however was not possible due to complications.
Eddie’s aunt, Jade Morris, explained the family approached local ward councillors and councillor Tim Wye suggested renaming the park. Luckily, the park was already on the planning list to be refurbished by Bristol City Council.
Winkworth Park is on housing land, so Eddie’s family sent a name change request to the housing department in July 2024. They went through a number of lengthy consultations with departments and local residents before it was finally agreed to be renamed in December, 2024.
While Eddie’s family initially wanted to rename Grosvenor Road, the park will be a place for them to “keep shining a light for him”. Eddie’s mum, Irene said the family “accept the honour” of the park being renamed after the teen.
In a statement, Irene said: “It is hard to find the right words to say, especially[when] we should have been celebrating Eddie’s 21st birthday. Anyone who knows Eddie knows how much he loved his birthday because our family has always loved celebrating birthdays, so we know he would have been bursting full of excitement.
“Instead, we are honouring his memory by having the courage to keep shining a light for him, in the place where he spent many of his younger years.
“This is where he learned to be strong, to be free, to be kind, caring and be bold. Where he learned to ride a bike, make friends, throw hoops and play football. In this space he learnt to spread love and shine his light, to show compassion within the friendships that he found and the bonds that he made. Here, he felt safe and loved and free. This park was part of the beginning of discovery for Eddie and many of his friends.
“As we accept the honour of this park being named after him, courtesy of Bristol City Council, it is with gratitude and a bittersweet sentiment wishing he could see this. As to us (his family) and to his friends who grew up here, it’s more than just a tribute. It is his presence and the relevance of their memories that make them who they are today.
“And though we’re still hurting, and are still traumatised, and will never get over losing him, today, we want to focus all our energy on remembering his kind heart, his compassionate spirit, his bright smile, his hearty laugh, his awesome hugs, his swag, his talent as a lyricist, his music, his love of people and culture. His bold personality, his confidence. The man he was becoming. For us, this is a symbol for healing and for generations to come, a reminder to value life and to be kind. To pursue peace and harmony, to choose love instead of hate.
“Hate sought to destroy us, but the love that has surrounded us these past 18 months has lifted us so high and keeps us going. Even on days when it’s hard to see a way forward. We’re all here today by God’s grace and we still trust and believe that justice will prevail.
“When we fill this place with colour, with the help of the youth and the community, it will be as though his light never left. He will forever be cherished and fondly remembered. Talented, God sent, chosen.”
The Eddie King Park, formerly Winkworth Park, will open on Tuesday, January 21 at 12pm. The opening of the park coincides with what would be the day Eddie celebrated his 21st birthday.
Eddie was just 19 when he was attacked and fatally stabbed on Grosvenor Road, St Paul’s on Friday, July 21, 2023. Last week, Zachariah Talbert Young, 26, of Easton, Paul Elijah Hayden, 21, of Hanham, and Cartell Williams, 28, of no fixed address, were charged with his murder.
Judge Peter Blair KC has set a provisional date of October 6 for the trial, which is expected to last up to six weeks.