Urban Green Space Report, Volume 1 Summary Statement

By: Keith Dewar and David Gao

Prepared for:

Community University Research Alliance University of New Brunswick – Saint John

Funded by:

1 Acknowledgements0B

This project succeeded because of the hard work of a number of students and community people who helped with the collection and analysis of the data as well as doing a great deal of the research. They included:

• David Gao, our statistician who spent a great many hours slaving over a computer or outside downloading traffic and trail data,

• Alison Gayton, who helped get the project started and did all of the historical interviews and radio programs,

• Ryan McAllister whose local knowledge and passion for parks helped with surveying and community relationships,

• Yibo Li who did the research on other cities’ urban park systems,

• In addition our other surveyors, Marcey Bickford, Nicole Rossley, and Mark McColgan, and my Natural Area Management class.

Thanks to Nicole Johnston, Eri Higuchi, Caixian Tan, Yukie Kawazu who did the Cruise Ship study, Prof. Gary Worrell and his recreation students, Andrew Jones, Fred Walsh, Ashley Stewart, Vicki Tracy, and Sarah Vincent who did such a great job on the non participant study. As part of the Natural Area Management course several background reports were produced including: Rockwood Park by Chelsea Belyea, Margaret Breau and Jillian Howarth; Irving Nature Park by Patricia Johansson and Kathryn Meredith.

We also had a great deal of help from the community particularly:

Kelley Honeyman, Irving Nature Park; Kevin Watson and Bernie Morrison, City of Saint John Parks; Yves Leger, City of Saint John, GIS manager; Tim Vickers ACAP; and David Goss, local historian.

Tracey Chiasson, CURA coordinator … what would we have done without her! Lastly, thanks to Dr. Robert MacKinnon for inviting us to take part in the project.

From Fort Howe

2 Table of Contents

Acknowledgements...... 2 Table of Contents ...... 3 1.0 Key Findings...... 6 2.0 Recommendations and Suggestions...... 7 2.1 The Strange Case of Partridge Island...... 10 2.2 Information and Communication...... 11 3.0 Introduction...... 13 4.0 Organic Unplanning, the Case of Saint John...... 14 4.1 A Case of Unruly Growth...... 14 4.2 By Royal Decree...... 15 4.3 From Guns to Green Space...... 16 4.4 The Horticultural Society – the Gentlemen of Saint John ...... 18 4.5 Beaches and Shorelines...... 21 4.6 Other Players and Other Spaces...... 22 4.7 Harbour Front Redevelopment ...... 24 4.8 The Missing Pieces ...... 25 4.8.1 Partridge Island ...... 26 4.8.2 Tucker Park...... 28 4.8.3 Falls View Park...... 29 5.0 The Legacy of Change...... 30 Reference List ...... 33 Appendix A, A walk in the park ...... 36 Appendix B, An Incomplete Chronology of Greens Spaces in Saint John ...... 39

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List of Tables

Table 1, Recommendations and Suggestions...... 7

List of Figures

Figure 1, Partridge Island Building Interior...... 11 Figure 2, King’s Square ...... 15 Figure 3, Carlaton Martello Tower ...... 18 Figure 4, Rockwood Park Activities...... 19 Figure 5, Seaside Park...... 22 Figure 6, Irving Nature Park ...... 23 Figure 7, Harbour Passage ...... 24 Figure 8, Partridge Island...... 26 Figure 9, Falls View Park ...... 30

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Volume I of this report uses that data provided in Volume II plus four years of observation and research by the author, eight research assistants and members of the community who have taken the time to share their memories of the parks. The purpose of this qualitative work is to complement the statistical data and to ultimately provide recommendations and suggestions for the sustainable development of a first class system of open green space in the town.

Volume II provides a statistical summary of major park usage collected over a 42 month period from 2005 to 2008 during the months April to December and provides detailed information on who visited, when and why. The survey also provides comments and suggestions from nearly 800 visitors to the park system.

5 1.01B Key Findings

• Almost all of the city’s green open space is exclusively used by local residents with 5,000 people visiting Rockwood and Irving Nature Park on a regular basis (more than 5 times a year). Other local residents may visit the parks on occasion. Approximately 30% of Saint John and area residents never or rarely visit the city’s open green spaces.

• Saint John has a relatively high proportion of passive green space when compared to other similar communities in Canada,

• All the sites studied show that use is largely by local residence within 15 to 20 minutes of the park, use by tourists and other non residents forms less than 6% of total usage, the most utilized local parks in order of visits are:

o Rockwood Park (year round) o Irving Nature Park (year round) o King’s Square East (year round) o Reversing Falls Complex (including , Reversing Falls, Wolastoq, and Falls View Parks, year round particularly Reversing Falls Proper) o Harbour Passage (partially open in the winter season) o Fort Howe (open seasonally, April to December) o Dominion Park (Summer season) o Queens Square (east and west) and King’s Square West (year round) o Tucker Park (April to November)

o Mispec Park/Beach (this park was not studied but it is suggested visitation is about the same as Dominion Park, Summer season but with more fall and spring use)

Other parks and open areas do attract significant numbers of tourists, these include:

• Reversing Falls Complex (including , Reversing Falls, Wolastoq, and Falls View Parks), approximately 65% of visitors are tourists excluding restaurant users, • King Square East • Harbour Passage • Rockwood Park (however its tourist visits account for less than 6% of total visits to the park).

Undeveloped but with high potential for both local and tourist use is,

• Partridge Island

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Reversing Falls sees by far the most tourists with approximately 65% of May to September visitors being from out of town. However, their stays are short and tour bus operators rate the site as a must see rest stop on the way to somewhere else with little to recommend it as a sight.

King’s Square per unit area is likely the most utilized of all the city’s parks in the months April to November. It is impossible to count exact numbers but it is a four season park that serves many purposes from a relaxation area for busy town’s folk and a sunny communication venue for seniors, to an interesting photo opportunity for visitors.

Harbour Passage is largely a link connecting downtown Saint John to the Westside. It also serves as a strolling and exercise venue for visitors and residence alike and is popular year round receiving high praise from all who visit.

2.02B Recommendations and Suggestions

Table 1, Recommendations and Suggestions Recommendation Action Implications Priority Management Issues/Item 1 Increase park Prepare parks and Increase park 1 – 3 years visitation and open space strategic visitation by a satisfaction and management plan to broader range of reduce per unit determine direction user groups. visitation costs. A and provide a proper Improve public park strategic plan coordinating role and health and welfare, is essential before monitoring/evaluatio reduced per unit more capital monies n system cost of operation are spent on the and provide system. stronger public support. 2 Better operational Hire a full time Better meet needs 1 - 3 years and strategic natural park manager of a diverse user management of who would be group and increase natural park areas responsible for, economic Rockwood Park, efficiency. Provide Tucker Park, for an Partridge Island and environmentally the various city water sustainable green sheds infrastructure. 3 Town interpretive Hire a full time town Better meet needs 1 – 3 years officer interpretive/educatio of diverse user nal officer groups, provide more accessible, complete educational and

7 information services, improve public support 4 Increase variety of Develop the Cities’ Provide a new and Partridge open space types most unique tourist unique heritage Island, 1 -3 attraction, Partridge destination for years Island tourists and substantially increase the variety Develop, skateboard of activities for park, mountain bike local community and tourism. trails, exercise trails,

reintroduce paddle Skateboard Increased visitation boats and canoes to Park, 1 - 3 by local Lily Lake, add adventure community, Other playground at community health facilities, 3 Harbour Passage and benefits -10 years Irving Nature Park 5 Reversing Falls As per ongoing Increase visitor 5 – 10 years redevelopment redevelopment plan, satisfaction and provide new and understanding, expanded facilities. improve quality of experience, encourage extended visiting time by tourists, increase residents’ awareness and support for heritage. 6 Strategically Develop a green This would provide On going, Manage the entire corridor system a way of binding plans for park system in a using watersheds, the city together various sustainable manner existing parks, and with a green fabric watersheds other natural areas, that would act as a are stable ecologically complete - action ongoing in sustainable green and conjunction with space system, a Harbour ACAP, this project flood control Passage is should purchase mechanism, safe under and create such pathways for developmen additional spaces as pedestrians, a t. required to healthy recreational complete an system, provide at ecological corridor least in part for bike system as land transport/traffic becomes available reduction systems, add to the aesthetic and the value of the city’s recommended public and private strategic plan

8 indicates. property, add a tourist attraction, add an educational component to the park system Improve operational Reduce the number Use resources to efficiency of low use increase active playgrounds and recreational spaces managed green in geographical spaces and replace areas of the city where they are most them with more needed. Increase the appropriately ecological corridor located ones as per system. the proposed strategic plan. Abandoned playgrounds would remain as unmaintained natural areas, Information Management Recommendation Action Implication Priority 6 A city wide signage Provide and maintain Assist potential 1 – 3 years management plan an organized system visitors and of directional and residents to more wayfaring signs easily locate destinations attractions, reduce frustration and improve visitor experience 7 Redesign Tourism Website Increased resident 1 – 3 years Saint John Website enhancement and and tourist to make the parks proper bi-weekly visitation to parks more “visible” updating and heritage sites 8 Increase Fort Howe, Support learning 1 – 5 years Interpretive/educati Reversing Falls and and information onal signage Rockwood Park in mandates of parks particular and heritage in the City. Make sites more interesting and encourage multiple visits 9 Extension/expansio Hire seasonal staff Provide more 1 – 3 years n of the volunteer and expand volunteer efficient and quality welcoming program program to non services to support is recommended. cruise ship days and the tourism include Reversing industry.

9 Falls, Falls View Park, and King’s Square East 10 Rockwood Park Website Increased resident 3 – 5 years requires its own establishment linked and tourism usage, website to Tourism Saint increased John website understanding and support and ease of locating 11 Reversing Falls, Website Increased resident 3 – 5 years Fallsview park area establishment linked and tourism usage, requires its own to Tourism Saint increased website, John Website understanding and support 12 Increase electronic Establish, GPS Increased usage and 3 – 5 years information access downloads, podcast, deeper market cell phone penetration of youth information link, etc. market and improve and provide properly information/educati maintained websites on/entertainment quality.

2.19B The Strange Case of Partridge Island

Although not initially part of the CURA study it became apparent as the study progressed that the City’s most important heritage asset has been allowed to deteriorate significantly and is, at present, closed to the public. With the millions to be spent on such places as Rockwood Park and the Reversing Falls Complex it was a puzzle to the research team and many of those interviewed that so little time and effort has been spent on developing the city’s most unique site. There is an abundance of passive green space within the city but there is little variety in the offering to the public or the visitor. Expanding the variety of activities and destinations within Greater Saint John would enhance the tourist offering and provide much needed variety for everyone. Although turning the Reversing Falls Complex into a “World Class Facility” has merit the Falls does not rank with the national significance or general importance of Partridge Island, it is therefore recommended that as part of a green open space strategic plan Partridge Island be given first priority.

10 Figure 1, Partridge Island Building Interior

The last intact WWII room in the complex has now been opened and vandals are tearing away the wall covering for fire wood. Artefacts including a clock have disappeared.

2.210B Information and Communication The information regarding open spaces provided to local people and visitors is fragmented, incomplete, poorly organized and occasionally incorrect. It is recommended that a task force be established to develop a coordinated system and unit plan for information dissemination. Major issues to be actioned include:

• A city wide signage management plan to assist potential visitors in finding the various parks and attractions,

• Extension/expansion of the volunteer welcoming program is recommended. The present cruise ship day and airport programs are excellent but far too narrow and lack resources. It is unlikely that volunteers alone can be depended upon to manage an extended program and some paid interpretive/visitor service staff in the spring, summer and fall season is required. The paid staff would patrol the uptown area – including King’s Square East, Harbour Passage, Fort Howe, and Rockwood Park and perhaps other areas where they would provide interpretation and information to tourists and residents during the busy season (May to October),

• The Reversing Falls information centre needs to be restructured and expanded to include major interpretive displays and should be open year round. It was noted that in 2007 that the “rules” would not allow visitor centre staff to provide

11 services beyond the beyond the visitor service building. Before this date several staff members would take short walks and go to the roof with visitors providing additional information and interpretation. This activity needs to be expanded.

• Interpretive/educational signage is needed at many of the sites throughout the city. Fort Howe in particular needs signs explaining the harbour facilities and a point of interest map. Telescopes are also recommended at this site. It is also noted that King’s and Queens Square West, Queens Square East, Tucker Park and a number of other parks need basic interpretive entrance signs explaining the heritage significance of the park or site,

• Redesign of the Tourism Saint John Website to make the parks more “visible”. There is also a lack of links to sites with specific information, for example there is no clear link from the home page to the New Brunswick Community College

Heritage Resources Page - www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/heritage/index2.htmH ,H which provides exceptional historic information on many of the towns’ major heritage sites,

• Rockwood Park requires its own website, the site should be detailed and well maintained, this could be part of a larger Parks based site, it was also noted that the Recreational Departments’ existing activities list is often very outdated,

• Rockwood Park Visitor Centre needs an immediate upgrade and new interpretive displays as well as new trail side interpretive material and hiking trail signs,

• Reversing Falls and Fallsview Park areas require a website, or a separate page within a parks website,

• Podcast, low frequency am radio and cell phone information systems need to be developed to allow visitors and local residents quick access to information, the continued expansion of electronic technology is changing the basic way people access acquire information,

• Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) related material (including Google Earth) should also be available for download from the city’s website in formats suitable for at least Magellan, TomTom and Garmin GPS the three most widely used systems. Many major cities around the world now provide at a cost, systems that allow visitors and residence alike the use of modern computer technology as a way finding tool as well as a book mark system for photos and descriptions of places visited.

In summary the 200 years of ad hoc planning of the city’s open green space must now be replaced by a comprehensive overall direction through the development of a strategic plan. This study provides the baseline information for such a plan. When the data is combined with the expertise of the planning team, a workable plan based on sound sustainable principles can be developed. Common Council needs to ensure the monies are

12 well spent to avoid duplication and ensure that the major park assets of the city are sustainably managed for the benefit of both residents and visitors.

3.03B Introduction

With the rise of the market economy in Britain and elsewhere during the latter part of 18th century the concept of private ownership and exclusiveness began to replace the idea of common property. Areas that had been common or public space were “enclosed” within both the expanding cities and the countryside. In the cities the growing number of poor who flocked to the cities for the jobs in the new factories of the industrial revolution found themselves excluded from what was once common land(Burchardt, 2002). This coupled with rising land prices in the rapidly growing urban areas meant that the concept of open green space that did not turn a profit was of little interest to the new capitalists. Additionally in North America, the vast expanse of forestland on the periphery of many urban areas also meant the need for common space within cities was deemed unnecessary. There were exceptions of course, cemeteries, a market square and on the fringe of the town perhaps a racetrack/recreational grounds. Many urban areas also had military establishments with parade grounds, which served as common space on special occasions. Often parks and gardens that did develop excluded the “working class” as undesirable.

There was however, resistance to the disappearance of common land and a growing concern about the unhealthy condition of the new industrial city. The removal of so many from the country side to the city, the closing off of what was once seen as common land and the growth of monolithic cities led to a nostalgia for a simpler less hurried way of life that was perceived by the new city dwellers as being lost. This feeling of “loss” found expression in the work of the romantic poets and painters who greatly influenced the literate nouveau riche and aristocracy of Great Britain and parts of Europe during the late 18th and 19th century. As the rural “ideal” was disappearing, the mythical value of the countryside became part of the psyche of the middle and upper classes. One of the manifestations of this romantic revival was for the creation of pastoral green spaces within the cities.

There was also a growing belief that the nature of countryside when brought into the city could have a refining effect on the working class. The worker and his family would have a place of diversion from the tavern and street. In turn, this would mean that the proletariat would find solace in these places of quiet and would be less likely to seek aggressively radical political change. The urban park as we know it today evolved in this environment of social sensitivity and blatant capitalism (Pigram & Jenkins, 2006).

Out of this Romantic period in both North America and Europe the growth of association and societies that were key in the protection and growth of parks in both the countryside and the city. In England, such organizations as the Commons Preservation Society (1865), Lake District Defense Society (1883), the Selbourne League (1885) and the National Trust (1894) are some of the more important examples. In the United States, the

13 Sierra Club (1892), Audubon Society (1905), the Canadian Council of Women’s Committee on Vacation Schools and Playgrounds (1905) and other organizations helped protect and develop natural areas and urban parkland. Individual cities too had groups that grew to protect parks; New York’s Central Park had seen the New York Parks and Playground Association, the Central Parks Association, and the Parks Conservation Association evolve into the Central Park Conservancy. In Montreal Olmsted’s Mount Royal Park as well as neighbourhood parks associations grow into the Montreal Playground and Parks Association (Schlatter, 2004).

Horticultural societies on both sides of the Atlantic developed in cities large and small. These groups were complemented in urban areas by organizations who were concerned with assisting the poor as well as beautifying their city. Capability Brown and Fredrick Law Olmsted are leading figures in the orderly planning of nature in the form of urban parks. Drawing on centuries of private park and garden design and the ideas of generations of estate and garden planners, the landscape architects of the 19th and early 20th century gave many of our present parks, squares and planned open spaces their look. The sculpting of nature into an urban park perhaps reached its zenith with Gaudi’s creation of Güell Park in Barcelona Spain between 1900 and 1914. The park was bought from the Güell family in the early 1920’s and became the pre-eminent open space in the city. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Asia too, parks began to develop. The first public park appears to have been given to the small village of Tang Jia now part of Zhuhai City by Tang Xiao Yi the first Prime Minister of the New Republic (1912). His home was in the village and over a period of years, he built gardens, water features and an observatory around his home. In 1910 he turned the park over to the villagers who have maintained it ever since.

Users of these new open spaces sought urban solitude, quiet recreation, and places for children to play. They were also places of education, many parks being the home of zoos, aquaria, planetariums, art galleries and other common social niceties that did not often survive without support from the public purse or rich private benefactors. Cities without a hallmark park were seen as backward and without culture. Central Park NY, Boston Commons, Stanley Park, Vancouver, Hyde Park, London, and a thousand others marked a city as prosperous and culturally acceptable. Among the thousands was Rockwood Park, Saint John, New Brunswick, a small prosperous port community straddling the St. John River.

4.04B Organic Unplanning, the Case of Saint John

4.11B A Case of Unruly Growth

Saint John’s development has been governed by the framework of the city’s Royal Charter (one of the few North American cities with such a document). The early lack of a strong central government, its importance as a military base and ice free port also played a part in the early planning of the city. Its origins as a military town with grid like street patterns complicated by the Bay of Fundy’s unruly shoreline and required military strong

14 points gave the city its original plan. Its importance as a port and trading city made it seem as if everyone was “in business”; warehouses, wharfinger establishments, ship chandlers, traders, and transport companies all vied for spots along the irregular coastline of the inner harbour and St. John River estuary. The good citizens also wished to provide “a face” that would rival other ports along the Atlantic Seaboard. The good citizens wanted to ensure they kept up with their rivals, Boston and Halifax. Although the stressful business of making money took priority there was also a general movement to gentrify and tame both the wild forests and coast on the city’s edges and the unruly humanity of the port and factory.

Much of the early planning was ad hoc as the various elements of the community jostled for supremacy of ideas. Saint John’s green space development followed the path of “unregulated principles” (Jacobs, 1961) and uneasily combined with the more regimented ideals of early urban planners Mumford and Howard (Howard, 1965; Mumford L., 1958) to give the city its present character. The lack of strategic direction in regards to city development generally and green space management in particular is illustrated in the following pages. There is no final judgment on the results of such “unplanning”, but the evolution of green space and how the citizens decided its direction provides an illustration of organic community planning as the city evolved.

4.212B By Royal Decree

As the larger history of urban parks and green spaces unfolded, in a small corner of North America a city was founded (for an incomplete Chronology of Saint John’s green Spaces see Appendix B). Four thousand loyalists escaping from the new republic to the south came to found a small community on the Bay of Fundy. They arrived in the harbour sporadically over the summer of 1783. This small settlement became the first incorporated city in what would later be called Canada. Saint John, New Brunswick received its Royal Charter in April, 1785. Among other provisions in the Charter was that certain existent common ground was to be set aside as squares:

… known by the names of King’s and Queen’s Square, shall be and forever remain open, unenclosed and unappropriated to any use or uses whatsoever either private or public …

Figure 2, King’s Square It is clear His Majesty was reflecting the views that were taking hold in Britain that public open space had value. These squares, four in number were the core and first green spaces developed in Saint John. King’s Square East is today the green heart of the city and the most used passive recreation areas in town. The Square punctuates the east end of the main street – King St. The present formal design dates from 1845 when the loyalist founders laid out the paths in the

15 form of a Union Jack. The park is now a pleasant throughway for those coming and going from the surrounding neighborhoods to the businesses and waterfront of the city centre. The proximity of the square to low cost housing, senior’s residences, and a local high school add to the parks’ complement of visitors. It is a place for people watching, relaxing in the fresh air, as well as a place of refuge from school and work. Summer lunch hour crowds the park with office workers and students – a fact not lost on the local pigeons. Tourists come to relax and take pictures of the flowerbeds and generous scattering of monuments and memorials that dot the square. Adjacent to King’s Square East is the Loyalist Cemetery. Opened in 1784 it served as the cities only burial ground until 1848 when it was closed and Fernhill Cemetery was opened some distance from the city centre (Anon, ND). The old burial ground has evolved into another park where joggers and tourist share the grounds with the founders of the city.

The city developed rapidly with little clear planning as businesses and residents jostled for space. Along with the squares, several other open recreational spaces developed to keep pace with the rapidly growing population. Moosepath Park although only officially recognized in 1871 was in use as a “racing” grounds as early as 1802 (Staff, 1802). Moosepath Park evolved into the Exhibition Grounds but eventually was crowded out by factories and new residential developments. In the same area, Lovers Walk along Marsh Creek was a popular evening and weekend promenade venue for the citizens to show off their finery and meet friends and a ‘decent’ place to meet and enjoy the company of the opposite sex.

The early port also needed defending from the growing republic to the south and it stayed an important military base until the early 1950’s. This early and long relationship with the military has added much to today’s park system.

4.313B From Guns to Green Space

At the time of its founding Saint John was a military town with forts, gun emplacements, barracks and parade grounds scattered throughout the city and surrounding area. Fort Howe above the town and the barracks and parade grounds in West Saint John were open areas of recreation and events throughout the 19th century. Fort Howe Hill was originally fortified in 1778. It is now a park, with a reconstructed wooden blockhouse (1967), several memorials including a National Historic Site monument, and parking/viewing areas. The Hill provides one of the best views of the city and inner harbour. As the site gradually lost its military importance, pressure was brought to bear by local residents to have the site declared a national historic site. After 15 years of effort the site was declared in 1929 (Staff, 1913) (Keleher, 1998). Again as with Moosepath Park it had long been a pleasure ground with mention of it as a picnic site and view point as early as 1841 (Meria, 1841 for a interesting news clipping on a walk from uptown Saint John to Lily Lake see Appendix A). Fort Howe today is heavily used by local residents from April to December as a quiet place to have “lunch” or a break. Tourists’ buses from the many cruise ships that now visit the port use it as a regular stop as do those independent travellers that can find it. A 25-minute stroll east of Fort Howe is Rockwood Park, the town’s largest park.

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Unfortunately, the site (is?) run down, with the blockhouse open on a “come by chance” basis and operated by several First Nation’s people. There are no educational or information displays beyond the historic site monument. The survey team often spent a great deal of time with visitors explaining what they were looking at around the harbour as well as the history of the town generally. The people who ran the blockhouse also were kept busy answering questions. City officials suggest the area is one of high vandalism and any type of educational and information displays produced would be subsequently destroyed. This may have been the case in the 1960’s and 70’s but general observation over several years would suggest that this would no longer be any more of a problem than it is with any similar site. A well-kept site is also much less likely to be vandalized.

Across the harbour from Fort Howe and easily visible is the Carlton Martello Tower National Historic Park. The Tower was built during the war of 1812-14 to protect the land approaches to the city and port. It was not completed until after the end of hostilities. It continued to have military use throughout the 19th century and 20th century. It was a powder magazine for the local militia and during the Fenian Raids was manned and two 32lb guns were mounted in the tower. In the early part of the 20th century, the local people urged the sites caretaker to open a small museum to display his large collection of military artifacts. The Museum was a popular attraction until 1915 when the Great War took precedence. During the Great War, it was used briefly as a detention centre for deserters. Following the Great War public pressure lead to the site being declared a National Historic Site in 1924(New Brunswick Community College, 2008). At the beginning of WWII, the tower was returned to military service and was used as an anti- aircraft position by the 8th Anti-Aircraft Battery. In August 1941, the tower was renovated and a two-story fire command post was added. The building remained in active service until August 1944. Following the war, it again became a peaceful green space, historic site and tourism attraction. In 2007 as part of ongoing restoration, a new visitor centre was opened near the base of the tower. Over the next few years, the tower is slated for a complete restoration.

Several other parks in the city are the results of pressure from veterans groups. Riverview Park is a memorial to the fallen of the Boer War. Jarvis Bay and Ross Memorial Park in east Saint John is dedicated to the navy veterans of WWII. Ross Memorial Park took over 50 years to be recognized with pressure beginning shortly after the sinking of the armed merchantman Jarvis Bay in August of 1942 (New Brunswick Community College - Saint John, ND).

Mispec beach once housed one of the city’s gun emplacements and was a picnic spot as early as the 1790’s. It remained popular with the soldiers and civilians of the city as a warm water beach and “rural” escape for over two centuries and is still an important part of the city’s park system.

The most significant military site and park area in the city is at present closed to the public. Because of its importance, Partridge Island is discussed in a separate section below.

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Figure 3, Carlaton Martello Tower

4.414B The Horticultural Society – the Gentlemen of Saint John

Both the military and the civic government provided some of the first green spaces in the city, often by accident, occasionally by design. As the city grew and transitioned from a port to an industrial place with all the evils in miniature of the larger industrial cities of North American and Europe, the local citizenry saw the need to show their prosperity, provide areas of green and ensure the “workers” had adequate places for healthy recreation and relaxation. The Horticultural Society was formed to ensure that the city would not be left behind in showing that it was as sophisticated as its bigger neighbours of Boston, Montreal and Halifax. After its formation, the Society quickly embarked on its first two projects, the Public Gardens (1894) and the much more ambitious Rockwood Park (1906).

Saint John is a town of “firsts” in Canada. One of the firsts was a municipal water system. In 1834, an existing mill site at the mouth of Lily Lake was further damned to become the core of the present day water management system. Lily Lake and its immediate surrounding quickly became one of the first informal park areas in the town. Children were using it as a play area as early as 1839, when tragically a child was drowned while “sliding on the ice” (City of Saint John, ND). By 1841, the area was being

18 used as a pleasure ground (Meria, 1841). The popularity of the area led to it being suggested as a public recreational area as early as 1865 (City of Saint John, ND). In 1875, a New Brunswick tourism pamphlet specifically mentioned Lily Lake as a recreational resource in Saint John with excellent fishing. The newspapers continued to push for the formal establishment of the park as this c. 1890 clipping suggests:

… no city in America has within a mile and a half of its business centre, so beautiful a sheet of water as Lily Lake and perhaps no people could be found anywhere who have done so little through their public authorities to make this lake available (Saint John Pamphlets No. 16, Rockwood Park, ND).

Figure 4, Rockwood Park Activities

Rockwood Park has an excellent mix of activities

It is not surprising then that the Horticultural Society should want the area developed as a park. It began the purchase of land parcels in 1894 shortly after its incorporation. By the following year, the Society had made an official proposal to the city:

It is proposed to make it (Rockwood Park) a Peoples’ park, in which every man, woman and childe will have a share. The hearty co-operation and good will of the Citizens generally is expected and if supported by them, it will be only a very short time before the Park becomes a reality (Saint John Horticultural Society , 1895).

The support was there and in 1896 Downing Vaux landscape architect and son of the famous Calvert Vaux co creator of Central Park, New York was hired to design the new park. He first visited the park in 1896 and provided the final plans in 1899 (Saint John Pamphlets No. 16, Rockwood Park, ND). The plan was reworked and revised until 1906

19 when it was formally accepted and the park was officially opened. (Saint John Horticultural Society, 1893-1994). Rockwood Parks remained the largest urban park in Canada until the 1970’s.

The Vaux Plan was never fully realized but it provided a starting point in a long slow evolution. Between 1906 and 1966 the park changed in fits and starts. Its amusements and one of Canada’s first Ferris Wheels disappeared and the park became more passive. The depression and war years took their toll on the park and by the mid 1960’s it was showing its age. Canada’s Centennial in 1967 was the trigger for park redevelopment and the first municipally sponsored plan for the park was commissioned (Acres Atlantic Ltd., 1966). The Acres plan, like its predecessor was never fully implemented and the park again went into a slow decline due to lack of a suitable park management structure, funds, and a degree of familiarly that left the park without a champion. By 1985 the situation had become serious enough that another plan was commissioned (Marshall et al., 1987). This plan was similar to the 1966 Acres plan but more specific in costing and management issues, particularly pointing out the need for a dedicated park manager and suggesting that the long period of growth without direction particularly from 1915 to 1966 (pp.14) had a particularly adverse effect on the park. The Marshal Plan was never approved by Common Council but has continued to provide a framework for park and recreation staff (Personal Communication, Morrison 2007).

In 2008, the Horticultural Society still has a considerable influence on the development of Rockwood Park. They operate a very successful campground within the park that sees approximately 23,000 camper nights each summer. They also own and operated a rebuilt 1956 pavilion on Lily Lake. This pavilion has increased visitation, particularly winter visitation to the park. It now has a cross-country ski and snowshoe rental in the winter and a kayak and paddleboat rental in the summer. A new restaurant and snack bar are now in operation year round and are proving very popular. The upper level is a small conference and meeting venue with a full commercial kitchen. In conjunction with the pavilion, two skating rinks are maintained on Lily Lake in front of the building. Beside the building a small informal sliding hill is a busy winter venue.. More improvements to the park are planned by the city in 2009 and 2010 the pavilion continues to improve its services to an ever increasing audience.

The Horticultural Society is just one NGO that has affected the development and growth of open space within the City over the past 100 years. The Canadian Council of Women who was largely responsible for the establishment of playgrounds across Canada was an important factor in the early part of the 20th century. The Council's Committee on Vacation Schools and Playgrounds led by Mable Peters of Saint John had a direct impact of creating a number of play grounds in the city between 1906 and 1915 the first being the Allison Grounds which is still a children’s play area (Anon, 1994).

20 4.5 Beaches and Shorelines

Saint John sits at the mouth of the 400-kilometer long St. John River where it empties into the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy is a finger of the Atlantic Ocean that bisects the southern half of the Province of New Brunswick from its neighbour Nova Scotia. The Bay is known to have the highest tides in the world at 16 meters (52 ft) at the head of the bay and approximately 10 meters (32 ft.) in Saint John Harbour. There are two very distinctive types of beaches, those on the fresh or estuarial waters of the Saint John River and those on the Bay of Fundy Coast. The fresh water beaches are warmer and hence more popular with swimmers, Dominion Park and Rockwood’s Fisher Lakes and Lily Lake, being, the most important. For a hundred years or more, Dominion Park was used informally and the owner eventually set up a canteen and bathing facilities as a profit- making venture. In 1945, the area was purchased by the City of Saint John and remains a popular spot for recreation and swimming (Goss, 1999).

Mispec Beach is one of the first mentioned recreational sites in the historical literature. On the edge of a military gun emplacement and small barracks, it may have been a recreational site as early as 1825. It is now a major destination for the people on the East Side of the city who want a cool place to picnic, hike, and swim. This beach was military reserve from the late 1700’s until 1946 when it was sold by the military to the County of Saint John. The county refurbished the area and it became a popular spot for those looking for a salt-water beach. Most of the other salt-water beaches particularly in the eastern part of the city have disappeared under the expanding port or were no longer usable due to pollution. With the amalgamation of the county with the city in 1967, the beach was placed under the control of Saint John Recreation and Parks who made more improvements to the site. Over the next decade, little more was done and the area deteriorated. The deteriorating condition of the site led to the formation of a pressure group, the Mispec Park Recreation Committee Inc. The true champion of the area was Brian Harris who emigrated from England in 1947. His love for the area and tireless work to keep the area in good repair is well known by local residents. The committee found funding from provincial sources to take on the redevelopment of the area in 1997/98. There was little integrated planning with the general recreation in the city and the redevelopment was largely a local matter decided by the Committee. The result is one of the most popular beaches in the Saint John (Goss, 1998).

To the West of the city salt-water beaches have also disappeared. Beatteay’s Beach is gone, subsumed under the expanding port. It was the largest and most used beach between 1882 and 1914. The demise of Beatteay's Beach, led to local residence moving their recreational activities further along the coast to established beaches at Bay Shore, Seaside Park and McLarens Beach (Boulanger, ). Seaside Park was contemporary with Beatteay’s and sported a large dance pavilion. Streetcars ferried people to the area during the summer months. Although there is little beach use, today the small park still provides an excellent view of the Bay of Fundy’s rocky coastal scenery and contains an important geological site, a fossil bed from the early Carboniferous Period. The dance pavilion is gone but a bowling green and clubhouse remain. Just beyond McLarens Beach is the privately managed Irving Nature Park where several unofficial and unnamed beaches

21 attract visitors each summer. Beach and dog walking are major activities in these areas and wave watching is an important recreational activity particularly on the main beach within Irving Nature Park. Storms in the fall and winter lead to build up of a 2-meter surf, which attracts local people even though park authorities express concern about the danger.

Figure 5, Seaside Park

Seaside Park has existed since the 1880’s and once was a much busier place than it is now, with a dance pavilion and regular summer street car service. It is now deteriorating and one of the city’s important but less used parks.

4.615B Other Players and Other Spaces

The City of Saint John is now responsible for 72 open green spaces within the city including the extensive Rockwood Park, which covers 890 ha. (2,200 acres). Individual institutions also play their part. The University of New Brunswick – Saint John campus has a 35 ha. (87 acres) property most of which is still in second growth Acadian forest with approximately 3 kilometers of walking trails. The remainder contains improved green space and gardens and the University infrastructure.

The most important private player providing open space in the City is J.D. Irving Ltd. The Irving family has been a predominant business force in Maritime Canada since the 1930’s. The Irving Empire now includes a number of different companies that engage in activities including, oil refining, forestry, pulp and paper, transportation, news papers/media and railways. As an environmentally and social responsible member of the

22 community the company has developed two park areas for public use within the City, Irving Nature Park and Wolastoq Park. The company also contributes to the development and maintenance of other green space including a portion of the University Campus.

Irving Nature Park is a 243-hectare (600 acre) area set aside to help protect an environmentally significant area of Fundy Coastline, salt marsh and regenerating Acadian forest. It was opened in 1994 and now attracts approximately 250,000 visits from some 5,000 visitors each year. The park contains over 13 kilometers (8 miles) of hiking/walking trails, a marsh boardwalk; small summer only visitor centre and outdoor theater. It also contains a number of picnic sites several with free propane barbeques. The second small four ha. (10-acre) park is seen by the public as part of the Reversing Falls complex, the city’s tourism icon. The park contains some large wooden sculptures that together with accompanying interpretive signs, chronicle the history of the area.

Figure 6, Irving Nature Park

Irving Nature Park opened in 1994 is one of the cities major parks. It is owned and operated by JD Irving as protected area for salt marshes, Bay of Fundy Coast Line and regenerating Acadian Forest. This is one of the cities most popular and well managed parks.

Cities As well as these developed areas, the company owns a significant part of another piece of green space known as Falls View Park, which has yet to be fully developed. Although some of this area was historically a park, budgetary restraint and a lack of interest means most of the area is now passive, undeveloped, open space with few amenities except in the falls viewing area and the site of the privately owned jet boat operation. Irving has installed a series of interpretive signs in the parking area and the adjacent viewing areas are heavily used by tourists and local residents in the summer. At the time of writing, the areas on both sides of the Reversing Falls were under study with the idea of making it a “world class” tourist destination.

23 4.716B Harbour Front Redevelopment

In 2001 the Saint John Waterfront Partnership grew out of the Saint John Development Corporations whose goal was and remains to: "develop, promote, encourage, co-ordinate, assist and advance the commercial, residential, recreational, cultural, social, economic welfare of the City of Saint John in connection with the Market Square Project site including the area within the City Centre District." (Waterfront Development Partnership, 2008) The Partnership is comprised of:

• CityH of Saint John H

• UptownH Saint John Inc H

• EnterpriseH Saint John Inc H

• SaintH John Board of Trade H

• SaintH John Port Authority H

• ProvinceH of New Brunswick (SaintH John Waterfront Development Partnership, 2005)

Figure 7, Harbour Passage

Harbour Passage one of the most popular open spaces in the city connect the downtown area to the West Side.

Other parks have been the result of “benefactors” wishing to ensure their names were associated with products that were benign and supported a positive environmental and social image; J.D. Irving being the most obvious. Interestingly J.D. Irving rarely donates

24 land but rather makes company land available for public use. They also donate generously to other parks and heritage sites within the city.

The partnership has been instrumental in the development of one of the most successful open space areas in the city’s Uptown area and now crosses the harbour to West Saint John. Known as Harbour Passage, it is approximately 4 kilometres of hardened walkway that extends from the uptown area to Reversing Falls, the city’s class A tourism destination. Besides the walkway itself, open green areas, gardens, small shelters, and interpretive signage have been erected. The walkway also allows easy access to the site of Fort La Tour, National Historic Site which was a small fort and trading post built by the self appointed governor of Arcadia, Charles de La Tour in 1631. The site is most remembered for the spirited defence of the fort by the young Madame Françoise Marie LaTour against a rival trading group. The Fort was captured by the soldiers hung and Mme. LaTour died in prison three weeks later (City of Saint John, 2002). In the future the Passage is intended to extend to Falls View Park the eastern vantage point of the Reversing Falls area. The walk way also provides easy access to the Provincial Archives building and adjoining Riverview Park.

Other business and community leaders have left property, most significantly J.J. Tucker who donated considerable land for public use; land on which the University of New Brunswick – Saint John now stands. A nearby city freshwater beach and park also bares his name. Unfortunately he left no money for its development so the area languished until 1923 when his niece in her will left funds to do some work on the park(Goss, 2005). However, the park is still one of the least developed and underutilized in the city.

Other benefactors were responsible for the development of a number of open green spaces particularly playgrounds. As an industrial city, the socially responsible of the city wished to ensure that the young particularly of the poorer families had adequate places to release pent-up energy in a healthy and controlled environment. Mabel Peters, National Council of Women, Chair Person of the Committee on Vacation Schools and Supervised Playgrounds was instrumental in cajoling, convincing and otherwise gaining support of Saint John’s businessmen into donating towards the development of playgrounds (Anon, 1994). The earliest of these playgrounds, Allison Grounds lies just below Rockwood Park and is still heavily used.

4.817B The Missing Pieces

The ad hoc nature of urban green space development in Saint John has led to important pieces of the “green” puzzle being missing. The lack of “scientific” planning has until quite recently meant that a number of important links and ecological corridors have been destroyed or ignored. Some of these issues are now being addressed by ACAP, their exceptional reports on Marsh Creek, Little River, Alder Brook and Hazen Creek provide an excellent framework for the development of ecological corridors through much of the city (McKenna, Stewart-Robertson, & Vickers, 2007a; McKenna, Stewart-Robertson, & Vickers, 2007b; McKenna, Stewart-Robertson, & Vickers, 2007c).

25 As well as links and corridors several green spaces of significance have not received the attention that they deserve, specifically Partridge Island, Tucker Park and Falls View Park.

4.8.118BU Partridge Island

Partridge Island is a 36-acre island, located at the entrance of the Saint John Harbour. It is designated a Provincial Historic Site for a legend of the Wolastoqiyik, an important navigation, a harbour defence, a maritime immigration and a quarantine station site. It is also a national historic site for having the world’s first steam fog horn.

Figure 8, Partridge Island

Partridge Island the City’s most important historic asset lies in ruin off the mouth of Saint John Harbour.

Mentioned in the writings of early French explorers, Partridge Island is important for its role in marine navigation. As early as 1785, it was designated as a site for a lighthouse. New Brunswick's first light station, and the third in Canada, was built on Partridge Island in 1791. From that time until 1989, light keepers lived on Partridge Island. The modern light is now automated but stands as an iconic symbol of the city’s coastal and marine heritage. As well as the lighthouse, Partridge Island has been the home of fog alarms since 1801 when a cannon was placed there and fired during foggy weather – a not uncommon occurrence. In 1831, a 545 kilo (1000-pound) bell replaced the gun. These measures proved inadequate and in 1859, Vernon Smith built the world’s

26 first steam operated foghorn from plans provided by Robert Foulis. New Brunswick’s first Marconi radio station was built on the island in 1905, and since that time, it has been the natural location for various other marine aids.

From a military perspective, Partridge Island is one of New Brunswick’s most extensively used military defences, and the only military site in New Brunswick to be used over a 3-century period from 1791 to 1947. Established as a military post in 1785, preparation began in 1791 for constructing an artillery battery. In 1800, a signal station was built, and by the War of 1812, the island was a military post equipped with 9 guns. From 1812 to WWII, the island was used as a harbour defensive position, manned by local militia in 1866 during Fenian raids and by local artillery militia during WWI and WWII. During WWII, Partridge Island was equipped with heavy coastal armament and secondary fire control point. The crumbling remnants are still visible today. The post was closed in 1947. According to Prof. Mark Milner of the New Brunswick Military Heritage Project and Professor of Military History at the University of New Brunswick, the island is the best remaining example of WWII military coastal defence structures in North American (Personal Communication 2006).

Also of great importance is the island’s history as a maritime immigration site, Partridge Island was the second most important quarantine station after Grosse Ile in Quebec. It operated from 1785 to 1938. As a quarantine station, Partridge Island was the first landfall in North America for a large number of European immigrants. Thousands of immigrants were inspected at Saint John. Those found to be suffering from infectious diseases were removed for treatment. Some 800 to 1000 died and were buried on the island. The fragment of a cemetery that remains contains the graves of the Irish, Scottish, English and Jewish immigrants that came with hope and died just short of their dreams. Their relatives and thousands of others were safely landed and many remained to form part of the fabric of the community (Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, ND).

The site has also been a place of recreation for the people of Saint John, being used for picnics and family reunions during the period from 1865 to 1914, although permission was required from Common Council (Common Council, 1883).

Today the site is officially closed to the public for apparent safety reasons. However, it is estimated that 10 to 15 people a week visit the island during the spring and summer. The heritage structures and artifacts on the island have been allowed to deteriorate, the last sealed room in the gun emplacement complex was broken into in 2006, and the remaining artifacts stolen and the interior structure destroyed largely to provide firewood for the young people that often visit the island. No one at the point of writing accepts direct responsibility for the island although the Coast Guard is responsible for security.

Of all the sites within the city of Saint John, this space has by far the greatest potential for development as a new and unique contribution to the city’s basket of marketable tourist sites and open green space for the citizens. Partridge Island needs to be considered the number 1 priority for park and heritage development in the city; this would have a number of benefits:

27

• Provide a new and unique tourist attraction to the existing attractions, this would have the potential to attract and hold new visitors as well as extend the stay of existing visitors, • Provide an important educational feature for local schools, colleges and Universities as well as the general public. • Provide coastal and marine access for the general public • Preserve an important part of Canada’s heritage

The major issue at present appears to be access. There are basically three possible ways for individuals to access the island:

• Boat • Cable car • Walk way across the breakwater

There are already several tour boats on the harbour and these along with private boat access would provide a major way of accessing the island in the summer. The issue is a proper docking facility, however the cost of such a system is deemed high in both construction and maintenance. However, when compared to the money being considered for the improvements to other park facilities in Saint John including Rockwood Park and the Reversing Falls Complex the cost is comparatively small.

The idea of a cable car at first seems somewhat exotic but the cost would be recouped by charges for use and the maintenance costs would be about equivalent to the dockage system. No study has been undertaken to determine what the costs would be. The other challenge would be to find parking areas on the mainland close enough for visitors and residence to use. A cable car facility would be able to function year round.

There is little doubt that a walkway across the breakwater is possible. A sectioned aluminum walk is the best options this would allow many to visit the island, particularly in spring, summer, and fall.

Partridge Island could become one of the cities most important year round parks and attraction. However, for reasons that the team did not quite comprehend the site has remained closed to the public for nearly 40 years and continues to deteriorate.

4.8.219BU Tucker Park

This park was created through the generosity of J.J. Tucker who donated the land and his niece who in 1923 provided some funding to develop the park. The park is one of the more isolated and under utilized parks in the city. It is an excellent piece of freshwater coastline with a small beach. The team’s estimation is that at present it needs little by way of development except for some general clean up, an appropriate entrance signage system and better directional markers on the roadways leading to the site. Vandalism and inappropriate use are a problem and the area is poorly patrolled by police and park staff.

28 This could be remedied by more liaison with the local police force and possibly the employment of a security firm or park ranger.

The concept of a ranger or warden force for the city’s natural parks might be considered by Common Council. Several times during the history of Rockwood Park rangers were part of the park staff. These employees could be both enforcement officers and resource conservation specialists similar to the National Park Warden’s Service.

4.8.320BU Falls View Park

The future of the Reversing Falls area is presently under review. Several million dollars could be spent revitalising the Reversing Falls and Falls View Park area. Falls View Park is a mix of land including land owned by J.D. Irving, the City of Saint John and private land holders.

From the early 1880’s the land around the falls has been an important tourist attraction and city park. The area now occupied by the Jet Boat operation has been a park for over 100 years. At the western end of the open space is the “1000” steps that lead down from Riverview Park. These steps and the fountain base near the bottom of the steps are a reminder of the earlier park. The area is now closed but young people from the high school use it regularly and several homeless people have built shelters in the area. Fishermen also use the area below the steps.

Plans for the redevelopment were prepared by the Irving Company some years ago but no action has been taken to date. The CURA team would suggest leaving a large portion of the open land in a “natural” state with some tree planting and remediation. Letting this area regenerate naturally would, in itself be an excellent lesson in succession for visitors. A trail along the edge of the river and perhaps a mountain bike circuit would be desirable. In the present developed area next to the Jet Boat concession a visitor centre, enlarged parking lot and some additional viewing areas are all suggested.

The idea of a visitor/interpretation centre is a good one but the location needs to be studied carefully. It might better be located at the main parking area of Reversing Falls rather than in this area. The team notes that a visitor/interpretation centre not only requires capital money but will require on going operational funding. Based on the poor condition of the educational exhibits in Rockwood Park and the Rockwood park visitor centre we have some concern about a high quality facility being maintained in this area without considerable investment in money and qualified staff. A proper feasibility study and plan needs to be done to ensure that scarce financial resources are used wisely.

This and other recommendations should all be part of the recommended park strategic plan.

29

Figure 9, Falls View Park

Falls View Park is increasing rapidly in popularity but is difficult for visitors to find due to poor signage.

5.05B The Legacy of Change

The evolution of parkland within the city has been slow and disorganized. Many parks have taken over 50 years to be officially recognized although the public use previous to designation was considerable. This is an excellent example of grass roots development following a use, appreciation and adoption system of development. The efficiency of such a system is open to discussion.

Virtually all park development has been the direct result of citizens’ pressure on Common Council to add, develop or protect parts of the informal park system. The city has never had a clearly developed strategic direction for the system nor a professional natural park manager, something recommended in the 1987 Marshall Plan (Marshall et al., 1987). The city planning department has also not had an urban planner designated to assist with park planning in the city.

NGO’s such as the Horticultural Society and National Council of Women and agitation by local newspaper editors and their readers have been the major forces driving the actions of Common Council regarding parks. It is clear at the time of writing that the city has no clear strategic vision for the open spaces in Saint John but largely reacts to offers

30 of funding for various projects or to pressure groups, a point succinctly summarized by ACAP:

The current lack of an integrated green spaces program in Saint John has become a point of increasing contention amongst residents…and further…The Saint John Common Council meetings are routinely interspersed with presenters concerned about the lack of a clearly defined plan to conserve the existing natural areas in our city, or about how proponents plan to offset environmental alterations or degradation rising from developments (Vickers & Steward- Robertson, 2008).

There is at present an abundance of passive green space and a dearth of active space particularly for youth. The general tourism attractions are well developed except for the most important, Partridge Island. The major issue appears to be that those organizations that have champions and lobby city government most affectively receive the lion share of support and spending without a clear understanding of what is actually needed.

To address the issue of poor strategic vision the city has completed an exercise called Vision 2015 (City of Saint John, ND).

In 2007, Vision 2015 also confirmed the value our community places on environmental capital through an ‘international café’ forum in which stakeholders indisputably identified parks and green spaces as their top priority in transforming Saint John into a sustainable community (Telegraph Journal, September 27, 2007).

Eagle points out this phenomenon of community influence in the development of parks and his observations fit well with the way that the city’s parks have been developed in Saint John.

Parks are created by governments through the stimulus of influential people. As the public visitation levels build up over time, more people in society develop an appreciation of these sites. This appreciation leads to political pressure for more parks and leads to demand for more visitation. This circle of visitation, appreciation and creation has become a self-reinforcing phenomenon in most countries in the world. Park visitation/tourism is a fundamental element of the park phenomenon. Its development over the last 500 years is a laudable element of global culture. (Eagles, 2002)

Similar thoughts are reflected in the work by Schlatter who points out that without public pressure over the past 100 years neither Central Park New York nor Montreal’s Mount Royal would have survived (Schlatter, 2004). Continued public support is the key to a healthy parks system.

Although there are issues with the direction and development of parks and opens spaces within the City of Saint John, lack of planning has not prevented the existence of a well- used and well-managed park system. Therefore, the question arises, who needs strategic

31 planning. Perhaps planners and councils need only react to the public to decide on priorities for the development of open space.

However the lack of a strategic plan does leave the city’s park system open to the “tyranny of the minority,” the whims of fashion or public relations money provided by large capital developments within the region. The lack of baseline data and careful needs assessment mean that expensive errors may be made and scarce funds spent on projects that will not receive the use or be of benefit to the human or natural environment. Yet, to date, good judgment of the community has led to Saint John having one of the finest parks systems for its size in the country.

As the city poises for a possible growth spurt that could bring between 3,000 and 5,000 new workers and their family to the region, the perception and use of green space may change. As well, Volume II of this document points out that many of the new immigrants from Asian Countries as well as other none European areas do not use the parks a great deal, another issue that needs to be explored. Interestingly the city has through various committees and government sponsored organizations begun to plan the green space. The approach is however still ad hoc. A number of projects have been targeted by the city as “good ideas”, Rockwood Park, Reversing Falls/Falls View Park, and Harbour Passage, yet there is no overriding philosophy, no needs assessment to determine what is required for a healthy community or sustainable natural environment, or which projects should be priorities. Staff of the Waterfront Development Partnership interviewed pointed out they have so many projects that it is very difficult to prioritize. Their problem is complicated by limited funds and much conflicting advice (Ross, personal communication, June 2008). Again a proper strategic plan would make wise decisions much easier.

To a very real extent, planning involves choosing a future and designing pathways to it (Eagles, 2002) In the case of green open spaces some would argue it involves making decisions on how the space will be used based on sound scientific principles including a clear understanding of human needs and expectations (Leitao, 2000). There is little doubt in Saint John this process has historically not been followed. Scientific principles based on sound ecological concepts and understanding was not and is not widely considered in the planning process; rather public opinion of the moment remains the major trigger for the establishment or redevelopment of open space.

As park management science has developed and the concepts of sustainability and ecological landscape planning have become commonplace they are now affecting long- standing approaches to urban park planning. Community/grass roots bottom up community planning that is now meeting the top down “modern” planning systems and the two have fused, in Saint John, and can form a workable and flexible system to match the greater complexity of modern society as the City evolves and develops.

32

Reference6B List

Acres Atlantic Ltd. (1966). RockwoodU Park Development Plan. U Saint John: City of Saint John.

Anon. (1994) CanadianU Youth: Does Activity Reduce Risk? : U [Web Page]. URL http://adp.lin.ca/resource//html/document.htm [2008, June 8].

Anon (Creator). (ND) U Loyalist Burial Grounds, Saint John, N.B. U [Web Page]. URL http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/lbgrounds/burial.html [2008, May 15].

SaintU John Pamphlets No. 16, Rockwood Park.U (ND). Anon. unpublished.

Boulanger, M. M. (ND). TheU Nature of Park Creation : the development of Rockwood

Park in Industrial Saint John, 1893-1907.U Saint John.

Burchardt, J. (2002). ParadiseU Lost: rural idyll and social change in England since 1800.U London: I. B. Tauris.

City of Saint John. (2002). FortU LaTour U [Web Page]. URL http://www.tourismsaintjohn.com/files/fuse.cfm?section=13&screen=188 [2002, June 13].

City of Saint John. (ND). Clippings File, History of Rockwood Park . Rock Wood Park Interpretive Centre. Saint John: Saint John .

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Common Council. (1883). page 20. Saint John: Saint John.

Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport. (ND) NewU Brunswick's Historic Places,

Partridge Island U [Web Page]. URL http://www.gnb.ca/0131/historicplaces/NBHP/Register_Repertoire-E.asp [2007, March 23].

Eagles, P. E. J. and McCool, S. F. (2002). TourismU in National Parks and Protected

Areas: planning and management.U Wallingford: CAB International.

33 Goss, D. a. M. F. (1999). ImagesU of Canada Saint John West Vol. 2.U Charleston: Arcadia Publishing.

Goss, D. (1998) MispecU Beach, Saint John, N.B. U [Web Page]. URL http://www.new- brunswick.net/Saint_John/mispec/mispec.html [2008, June 13].

Goss, D. (2005). (Interviewee).

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Marshall, Macklin, Monaghan, Matt, Myles, & Chatwick. (1987). Saint John: City of Saint John .

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McKenna, L., Stewart-Robertson, G., & Vickers, T. (2007c). WatershedU Management

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Tower - National Historic Site U [Web Page]. URL http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/heritage/Fortress/MartelloTower.htm [2008, September 11].

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Memorial Park U [Web Page]. URL http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/jervisbay/ [2007, July

34 1].

Pigram, J. J., & Jenkins, J. M. (2006). Outdoor Recreation in Urban Areas. in J. J.

Pigram, & J. M. Jenkins OutdoorU Recreation Management U (2 ed., ). London: Routledge.

Saint John Horticultural Society. (1893-1994). Minute Books, 1893 - 1894. New Brunswick Public Archives, Saint John.

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Development Partnership U [Web Page]. URL http://www.sjwaterfront.com/index.html [2008, June 13].

Schlatter, B. E. (2004). A Tale of Two City Parks. ParksU and Recreation, (JanuaryU ), 37- 51.

Staff. (1802 June). On Saturday last the Mile heats. RoyalU Gazette,U p. 3.

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Vickers, T., & Steward- Robertson, G. (2008). Saint John: Atlantic Coastal Action Program.

Waterfront Development Partnership. (2008) U Welcome U [Web Page]. URL http://www.sjwaterfront.com/ [2008, August 1].

35 Appendix7B A, A walk in the park

Microfilm, Reel 1, Sept. 16, 1839 to August 30, 1841, Saint John Public Library, Main Branch, ,

My Dear Mr. Fenety

I am going to trouble you to insert for me, a few lines in your valuable paper; I generally buy one from the boy, that is whenever I have a penny in my pocket; for mama says it is an excellent paper for young ladies to read; and as for Papa, why he says that he would as soon think of taking his breakfast without coffee, as without the Morning News. I have a cousin from the country who is boarding at one of the Hotels, and he says that the proprietor saves a great deal, by having half a dozen on his breakfast table; also, that if it were not for the numerous letters in from young ladies there would not be so many of them sold. So dear George, it is merely for the purpose of assisting the sale of your paper that I have sat down to write you a little history of a ramble. I and two other young Ladies had on Sunday afternoon, in the vicinity of the city. We started for Fort Howe, and as it was very warm we were quite tired when we reached there, but the beautiful view we had of the city, with the fine harbour, and splendid ships and the surrounding country, with here and there a glimpse of the noble river St. John, well repaid us for our trouble. After resting ourselves we started in the direction of Lilly Lake, intending to go round by the Mill to the highway; little did we think that in the attempt to do so we should be assailed by some half dozen terrific animals in the shape of fierce dogs and wild men with sticks as stout as any pole that ever graced a shavers shop; and hearts as tender as any that over palpitated in the breast of a money lender. But I am getting before my story. I should have told you all about the ramble by the lake first but you see, I am just like all other young ladies continually doing what I should not.

To return to the ramble: we soon arrived at that beautiful romantic little spot called :the Crow’s Nest, “ and after receiving from the good old Lady a drink of pure milk; (not the milk of human kindness for that was reserved for us until we had passed the mill) we continued on our way towards the Lake, at the banks of which we soon arrived; but to our very great disappointment not a lily was there to be seen; we also cried with vexation for we have pictured to ourselves the pleasure of carrying home a bunch of beautiful lilies. You see it was a day of disappointment, therefore we had to put up with it, and make the best of our way home as it was getting late, and mama does not allow me to be out after dark. We had difficulty in getting though the woods between the Lake and the Mill, as the under wood was very thick and the branches of the trees very low; so that my new bonnet, dress, &c. were almost spoil’d. When we got down by the mill, (and a regular milling we got in getting down) we had a fine view of the Marsh road, and the Lover’s Lane, both swarming with lovers and others, enjoying their evening walk; we were making towards them when suddenly we heard a tremendous bawling and barking, from all parts of the premises! We were not a little frightened-when we saw running towards us, those fierce animals which I told you of in the first part of my letter: the dogs were running-as if to lose a moment would be to loose their lives-and the men-O ye frogs with feathers! Such a sight; never was stoker of Canards steamer blacker; never was there a loafer more ragged,

36 indeed you might have searched the filthiest den to found and you cou’d not have discovered such a dirty, filthy set of fellows to guard a pig stye. On they came brandished their sticks; as if they would have us to horse fee; and with one wild shout, exclaimed “ go back the way ye came.” O mercy, was that all, was it for that they had terrified us almost to death? Yes, merely because we had attempted to walk on a good beaten path, without the permission of the proprietor; to remonstrate was useless, so we three poor innocent damsels, without a man to help us, (although there was a very handsome one within call) where obliged to turn back and get home the best way we could. We did get home certainly but in such a plight Mama declares I shall never go walking again, and my cousin Sophia says that she will send her beau to thrash the whole batch of them, dogs and all, where he does so, I will tell you all about it.

Dear George I remain Your affectionate friend Anna Meria

We will do any thing to accommodate the ladies by Anna my dear if you wish to promote the circulation of our paper, as you pretend; you must use your exertions in some other way…

37 38 Appendix8B B, An Incomplete Chronology of Greens Spaces in Saint John

This table should be considered a work in progress …

Title Date Comments Source Kings 30/04/1785 King's and Queen's Square created by Royal Charter NB Archives Square Partridg 1791 First light house built, third in NB. http://new- e Island brunswick.net/Saint_Joh n/partridge/index.html Kings 01/12/1801 To mark the end of the first Napoleonic War ... the Council has directed the City Royal Gazette Square Hall to be illuminated on Thursday evening next, and Candles to be issued to such of the inhabitants as cannot afford the expense of lighting their Houses - and have also very generously order a feast to be prepared for the Citizens, the day proceeding the Evening of Illumination - an Ox we understand will be roasted whole in of of the Public Squares ...and if the ships and vessels in the harbour also unite with the City the evening will prove very Brilliant - the Illuminations to commence at six o'clock. ... (note: from the Dec. 8 edition ... every thing went well and their was no violence ... it was also a very stormy evening ... no mention of the Ox or the park). Moosep 02/06/1801 On Saturday Last the Mile heats on the Flats back of the City were run over. Royal Gazette ath Col. Coffin's full-blooded Bay gelding Nelson, against Mr. Gibert's swift black Park mare the Packet. ... stakes 60 guineas. (note race not held between these two a the result of a fall ... earlier ...horse Nelson ... a 20 pound forfeit was paid. There were obviously other races on the "Flats) but no detail provided. Kings 18/05/1803 This is the entire Law of Common Council City Hall, 29 April 1903, Enacted as: Royal Gazette Square "for repairing and amending the Streeets and Highaways in the city of Saint John and to prevent nuisances in the said city" it covers the illegal dumping of garbage on streets and in gutters and makes one specific mention of city squares as follows: .... it shall not be lawful for any Carpenter, Cooper or Joiner in the said City, to throw, carry, deposit or lay, or cause or suffer to be thrown carried, deposited or laid, from their Shops or working-house, or place into or upon any of the Streets, Squares or Gutters in the said City, any of the

39 chips or shavings may by their work, or to cause or suffer any such chips or shavings to be carried form such shops, Houses or places ..." the fine was 5 shillings per offence. Kings 30/05/1814 It is with the most unfeigned and heartfelt joy, we announce to our readers, that Royal Gazette Square Europe has at length rifted from her labors - The Tyrant of the World has been conquere3d, dethroned, and sent into exile. It has at length pleased just Providence to stop the mad career of this scourge of mankind, and to give to Europe once more the BLESSINGS OF PEACE! - this news was received here on Friday last by the English April Mail, bring London dates to the 19th ult. which will be found detailed in our columns of this day. In consequence of the receipt of the above happy tidings, the Corporation of the City have with their usual liberality, ordered that an ox be roasted in King's Square this day, and have also given a sufficient quantity of Liquor, etc.. in order that all classes of citizens may have an opportunity of testifying their joy at this great and wonderful revolution of political affairs. A general Illumination will take pladce throughout the City this evening .... Kings 1820 Horse-drawn omnibuses were in attendance to take people around the squares Saint John Pamphlets. Square (King and Queens east). No. 9 Mispec 1825 Mispec beach first mentioned as a recreational spot, http://www.new- Goss, Telegraph Beach runswick.net/Saint_John/mispec/mispec.html Journal Rockwo 1839 Also, 25th inst., Inquest held on view of body of Thomas PATCHEL, a boy who RICF od Park fell through while sliding on the ice in Lily Lake on Sunday. Verdict: accidental death by drowning. Kings 13/05/1840 Saturday the 23d May being appointed by His Excellency the Leiut. Governor Morning News Square for commemorating the Birth and Marriage of our Most Gracious sovereign the QUEEN. That day is appointed by the joint committee of arrangement for the SOIREE in celebration of those events at the National School Room in King's Square, to commence at 1-2 past 6 O'clock, in the evening. tickets may be had pursuant th the advertisement of yesterday. By order of the Chairman. F.A Kinnear, Secretary of the Joint committee, April 27, 1840. --- the committee finding Saturday evening quite inconvenient for the celebration above mentioned, have appointed Monday the 25th instant, for the Soiree, to commence at half-past 6 o'clock P.M. And in consequence of the time allowed exclusively to Members of the Temperance Societies to purchase having expired; the sale of Tickets is now ope to the public: and the Committee to save expense to families have reduced the price to 2s 6d each ticket for Children. Both kinds may be obtained at Mr. Z Estey's Store in King street. F.A. Kinnear,

40 Sec'y. May 11, 1840

Kings 24/07/1840 A portion of the New Brunswick Regiment of Artillery were stationed on King's Morning News Square Square, and gave a general salute as his Excellency entered the Court House .... Rockwo c.1840 Oliver's Cave discovered, early hikers and towns people came to see this area Goss and Miller,1999, od Park the first recreationalists in the park are? pp. 122 Barrack 10/09/1840 August 10, 1840 The first balloon ascension in Canada is undertaken by http://new- s "celebrated Aeronaut" Monsieur L.A. Lauriat, from Barrack Square in Saint brunswick.net/Saint_Joh Square John. n/timedate.html Fort 28/04/1841 The grounds of Carleton are highly romantic to take a stroll leading up the hill Morning News Howe leading to the Fort would amply repay the traveller for his trouble, by the handsome prospect which will open to his view on all sides. Close by the Fort the ground is quite commanding you have a full view of the harbour and as far out into the Bay as the eye can reach. To the east our busy city presents itself with it many houses appearing like so many blocks of wood piled one on top of another in strange disorder; to the left, Portland with its numerous ship yard, appear: almost the ruins of that luckless piece of enterprise 'the bridge' - which seem to be standing by its projectors in token of the discomfiture and chagrin, which covered them when it fell. Kings 24/06/1841 Ald. Peters said he had called the meeting together to take some steps with Square regard to the building on Kings Square which was to be sold on the morrow" an old market building was to be removed and town council trying to decide if it could be removed and re erected nearby as a country market.

41 Kings 21/07/1841 King's Square - we are quite gratified to learn thou our indefatigable and The Morning News Square business like governor, has expressed himself very warmly in favour of having King Square improved , by converting it into pleasant walks, with a grass plat; with railings to go round it. We sincerely trust that His Excellency will not lose sight of this most excellent consideration, but that he will forthwith make some communication to the Mayor and common council, expressive o his wishes, which we are certain ill be responded to by every citizen in St. John - dept or no debt. It is certainly a pit to see so excellent a patch of ground in the centre of the city lying in so useless a condition. The market house is to be cleared off, which is indicative that the Corporation is beginning to wake up in the right quarter. Kings 10/09/1841 A great improvement has lately been made by the removal of the old Market Square house and the leveling of the ground; but much yet remains to be done. In many places, the square is still unequal, and the presents to the eye rather a clumsy and awkward appearance. We hope the Common Council will not lose site of these. It might at a trifling expense be made one of the most agreeable resorts in the city, upon the plan suggested by his Excellency the Governor General. What would be the cost of making the whole square in a grass plte interspersed with walks and trees, in comparison to the benefits which our citizens would reap the improvement in their health?

Kings 28/10/1842 article, King's Square used for Agricultural Fair, The Agricultural Fair was held St. John Morning News, Square yesterday, on King’s Square, and , as usual, excited considerable interest , v. 4, No. 82, Friday particularly among buyers and sellers of country produce, A great many very fat October 28 1842 and excellent beeves and cows were exhibited, and also pigs in whole litters which would be no disgrace to the Swine State, (Ohio) where they pride themselves upon raising such excellent pork for the Southern and Western markets, These fairs are productive of very beneficial results to the Agriculture of the Province inasmuch as they afford the farmer an opportunity of meeting with ready purchasers for his stock; which circumstance is the means of stimulating him to apply all his energies in marking good the resources of his farm under an expectation of profiting. Kings 1844 In 1844 H.W. Pitts and E.G. Vernon prepared a plan for King's Square. The plan http://www.saintjohn.nbc Square included: the enclosure of the Square with posts and chains; walkthroughs that ran from c.nb.ca/heritage/archite the corners terminating at the centre and forming an octagon figure; a central fountain; cture/kingsquare.htm grass, and some of the choicest trees of the forests. The desire was to render "the whole Square a scene of rural grandeur" and "forest garden".

42 Queens 1945 Queens Square transformed and “beautified” efforts of local resident John Cunningham Boulanger pp. 30 Square Loyalist Burial Ground Burial Ground Closes with the opening of Fernhill Cemetery, the latter becomes a major recreational area with its fountains, gardens and "driving paths. The Loylist Burial Ground begins its long slow evolution into a tranquil and beautiful green space in the uptown area of Saint John. Partridge 1859 World's first steam fog horn installed on the Island Island Rockwood 1865 1865 - The question of establishing a Public Park in connection with the City RICF and Boulanger Park has already been agitated in these columns... the utility of the scheme is as pp.35 undisputed as the benefits accruing from its accomplishment would be many. Unlike most cities, St. John has ground easily accessible and advantageously situated for the purpose mentioned. We allude specially to the unoccupied land on the heights to the North of the City, where can be found everything that the most romantic person could desire - hill and dale, lake and stream, sequestered groves and frowning bluffs, beautiful scenery and splendid views. At the present time this is the favourite resort of the young and old, the grave and gay, the lively and serene, of both sexes. Thither from the dust, din and impurities of the close City, they wander to snuff the free, untainted air, view rude nature in all its romantic loveliness, and recline awhile, listening to the sweet music of the woodland songsters beneath the shade of the thickly studded cedars, or the umbrageous foliage of some tall pines... If this movement be followed up by others of the owners, the portion of the public most in need of healthful and inexpensive outdoor recreation at the least tax upon their time in securing it, will have either to give up ruralizing or to hive off to some more distant and less inviting spot than the grounds in the vicinity of Lily Lake afford. The purchase of one hundred acres or thereabouts of land in this locality... will preserve to the public the use of this pleasant retreat. Rockwood 1866 “The Daily Telegraph article also called for the creation of a public park. The author Boulanger pp. 34 Park envisioned a familial, pastoral scene of the toiling artisan with wife and children neatly clad, amid scenes of natural beauty and picturesque culture, snatch an hour now and then for the grasping necessities of daily labour to refresh his spirits, to refine his states and to recruit his energies in the companionship of all he loves … “ Wanted, The Daily Telegraph, 27 August 1866 … pp 34 … Moosepat 1871 Moosepath Park officially opens, but had been used for horse racing since Wright and Roy pp. 77 h Park 1800

43 Rockwood 1873 1873 - We are credibly informed that the owners of lands in the vicinity of Lily RICF and pp. 36, see Park Lake, Howe's Lake, etc. value their lands at a very low rate - for taxation also Wanted A Public purposes. Now, then, would be the time to buy. We noticed, yesterday, that a Park, Daily telegraph, 5 plan of a park and grounds had been attached to the map exhibited in the June3 1873 1 newsroom, prepared by the city engineer, apropos of the annexation of Portland, Fairville, Croachville, etc, at the instance of a well known justice of St. John and King's. The plans all look well, and now what we want is action. Those who have been out exploring lately state that nature has certainly intended the region of Lily Lake for a park, as she intended Partridge Island to be a grand breakwater for the port of Saint John. Now what we want is action by the corporations of Saint John and Portland, and a bold effort to secure the $40,000, and create a park that will be the delight of the citizens and an honour to St. John and Portland.“the city engineer had already prepared a plan for a park in the area in 1874. “Nature intended the region of Lily Lake for a park. What was needed was for City Council or some good enterprising citizen “to” devise some means by which the property could be secured with a view to transforming it into a park … pp. 36, see also Wanted A Public Park, Daily telegraph, 5 June3 1873 1 Kings 1877 The great fire (June 1877)that destroyed a third of the city's centre. Kings and Keleher and Collins pp. Square Queens Square where turned into "shanty towns" to house people who lost 45, Hall, CA 1990 their home … and two local businesses, there is an excellent photo of the Kings Square Shanty town in Hall. Immediately following the fire the 97th regiment was bivouacked there. It was also noted in Hall that the wide streets and squares reduced the severity of the fires ... pp. 25. Rockwood 1878 On December 14, 1878, Saint John’s The Daily Sun, reports a fire that burned the down The Daily Sun Park the Lily Lake Hotel. No other records of the Lily Lake Hotel have been found, Beatteay's 1882 .. saw the first first signs of development as a holiday resort around 1882. John Boulanger pp. 70 Beach Beatteay came up with the enterprising idea of opening a canteen in the home h shared (Blue wth his mother ... pp. 70, the axe fell on Beatteay's Beach in 1914. It was announced at Rock this time that construction would begin on a grain elevator at the foot of Saint John Beach, St. ... with the demise of Beatteay's Beach, interested shifted slightly up the coast to Nice such beaches as Bay shor, Seaside Park and Mclarens ... pp 71 Beach) Hay Oct. City accepts donation of a drinking fountain from Dolymaphian Club. Common Council Market 1883 Minute Book, Oct. 17 Square

44 Robertson 1883 http://www.saintjohn.nbcHU Square c.nb.ca/heritage/archite cture/kingsquare.htm Kings 7/03/188 Saint John Pam. 9, Square 3 WCL, Kings 1883 Many of the trees that still stand were planted as part of the parks Centennial Wright and Roy pp. 13 Square celebration Partridge 12/09/18 Application to take pleasure parties to Partridge Island during the Exhibition , Common Council Island 83 referred to Harbour Committee Minute Book Rockwood 1890 1890 - A communication from G. R. Pugsley, J. D. Hazen and John F. Zebley, RICF Park submitting proposals for the establishment of a public park, was read. It proposed an association to be incorporated, with a board of management to consist of five persons, two to be appointed by the shareholders, two by the city and one by the St. John City Railway Co. The association to acquire "Rockwood," with the dwelling house and all improvements consisting of 200 acres, and portion of adjoining property belonging to Mr. Hazen 20 acres. The association to build extension of city railway from Haymarket square and arrange for its operation. The park to be free. Two park rangers to be constantly employed. The usual public park amusements to be provided. The park to be exempt from taxation. The city to grant $2,500 per annum. The city at any time to have power to purchase the franchises of the company at a valuation to be fixed by arbitrators. It was stated by way of encouragement that Halifax pays $5,000 annually for its public parks. Sea View c.1890 With good rail connections, David Russel Jack had visions of “Boston http://www.tourismsaintj Park States” tourists flocking to N.B. in the 1890s, and developed a 23 acre cottage ohn.com/files/fuse.cfm? area he called “Sans Souci on the Bay” at Duck Cove Lane. Three of the section=9&screen=359 cottages can still be seen there. In 1904, Jack sold to the Saint John Street Railway an adjacent 13 acre ocean side site on which they developed gardens, a dance hall, and restaurant. Until closing it in 1920, they ran an open-air street car to the park. The area is now maintained as a municipal park. Kings 1891 Young monument erected Square Public 1893 Public Gardens Open, Gardens Kings 1893 Horticultural Society requests and received permission from Common Council Boulanger pp. 39 Square to look after gardens in Kings Square

45 Queens 1893 Horticultural Society requests and received permission form Common Council Square to look after the gardens in Queens Square Rockwood 1894 First 150 acres purchased at Lily Lake by the Horticultural Society Park Rockwood 1895 Rockwood Park, Horticultural Society Minutes, February 6, 1895, It is proposed Horticultural Society Park to make it a Peoples’ park, in which every man, woman and childe will have a Minutes, February 6, share. The hearty co-operation and good will fo the Citizens generally is 1895, expected and if supported by them, it will be only a very short time before the Park becomes a reality. (NB Public Archives) Rockwood 1896 1896 - At the City Resorts - There were in the vicinity of 2,000 people at Lily RICF Park Lake yesterday, and all seemingly enjoyed themselves. At the Bay Shore another large crowd of people took advantage of a good salt sea breeze, and a large number went in bathing. Rockwood 1896 1896 - Mr. Vaux, a well known New York architect, surveyor and landscape gardener, is now in the city to Park carry out an arrangement entered into some time ago with the Rockwood Park Commissioners. He is to make a survey and plan of, and designs for, laying out the park on a scheme which will be carried into effect from time to time and as the funds accrue. Rockwood 1897 The question of opening the tea house on Sundays has not yet been definitely Park considered by the directors, but it is understood there is a difference of opinion among the members about it. The matter will, however, be determined before the house is opened. Tea homes are in operation in all the public parks in England on Sundays, and as a very large percentage of the Sunday patrons of the St. John park are ladies and children, the necessity, from a sanitary and health standpoint, of catering to their wants is very apparent. The names of the gentlemen who compose the board of directors is a sufficient guarantee that if the tea house is opened on Sundays it will be conducted in a fit and proper manner. It may be stated as an evidence of the desire of the directors to carry on the park in the right way, that boating on the lake on Sundays has been strictly forbidden. So long, however, as the park is open to the public on Sundays, there would RICF seem to be an element of cruelty in denying lady visitors the privilege of buying a cup of tea or little children a glass of sterilized milk.

46 Rockwood 1898 1898 - Crowds of People visited the park and Lily Lake, yesterday afternoon, RICF Park and it is estimated that there were about 3,000 people there at one time during the afternoon. Large crowds visited the Bay Shore, and numbers also enjoyed a refreshing bath in the cool water along the shore. The Bay Shore is again being largely attended by picnic parties as perfect order is kept on account of the presence of Officers Amos and Rawlings, who patrol the shore, and roughs find it a poor place to start a disturbance. Rockwood 1898 1898 - The Neptune Rowing club's regatta on the lake in the park will Park commence at half-past two this afternoon. The club have secured the services of the 62nd band, who will play a choice programme, including a number of marine selections. The lake presented a lively appearance last evening, a number of contestants RICF being out in boats and canoes practising for the different races, and some of the officials measuring off the course and putting the turning buoys in position. The programme containing the name of the park, the vote and the list of races and entries will be for sale by boys round town this morning. Be sure and secure one and assist the club in their efforts to provide the public with amusement. Rockwood 1899 Vaux Plan for Rockwood submitted to the Horticultural Society Saint John Pam. 16, Park WCL Kings 1901 Royal Visit, all the squares were decorated, and bands played. Saint John Pam. 16, Square WCL

Riverview 1902 This park was built in 1902 to honour the men of Saint John who fought in the http://www.saintjohn.nbcHU Memorial Boer War (1899 - 1902). c.nb.ca/heritage/boerwa Park r/riverview.htm Queens 1904 Erection of the Champlain Mouument for the Tercentenary Celebration of Champlain's discovery of the Square area. Rockwood 1905 1905 - The new log cabin in Rockwood park is an ideal structure of its kind. It is RICF Park just about finished, and all that is now required is some furniture. The old- fashioned fireplace made of rough stone has just been completed, and the interior of the building is as cozy and comfortable as one could wish. Rockwood 1906 Chain gangs began the task of constructing the Fisher Lakes Acres 1966, 5 Park

47 Rockwood 1907 1907 - Rockwood Park had thousands of visitors on Saturday afternoon when RICF Park the formal opening of the new features took place and the Neptune Rowing Club held sports. It seemed as if the whole city must have been there, so great was the crowd. The afternoon was a delightful one and all enjoyed the different aquatic events, while the merry-go-round and Ferris wheel had many patrons. Unfortunately. the shoot-the-chutes was not in working order, as the motor was not strong enough to pull the boats back up the incline. Several persons enjoyed a trip down the incline and all pronounced it a most thrilling feature. Hundreds of those who spent the afternoon at the park remained through the evening, getting their luncheon at the big pavilion, where the Frank White Company served excellent refreshments. The park itself is looking lovely, and the new features add greatly to its attractiveness. It is certain to be a most popular resort from now on, and the Frank White Company will make every effort to meet the wishes of all patrons. Rockwood 1907 1907 - Lily Lake on Saturday and Sunday was literally thronged with skaters. Park No less than six people had narrow escapes from drowning Saturday. The twelve year-old son of Mr. John Kelly, inspector of lighthouses, fell in and another boy, a son of Edward Walsh, shoemaker, also had a cold plunge. In the evening Judson and Herman Dunham, Miss Eva Collins and Miss Nellie Daly received a ducking. All were rescued by spectators. There is a strong demand that the ice company fence off its operations. Rockwood 1908 1908 - The Committee of the Horticultural Society, in charge of the fishing in RICF Park Lily Lake, have decided to stop the privilege for the season on September 10. This decision was reached at a meeting yesterday. Tucker c.1909 JJ Tucker donated the land but no money to create a English style park but no Goss, Audio Tape, min. Park money. His daughter Caroline on her death left money to complete the project. 43 Although the park never developed a invisaged some trails were constructed in the 1930's . Kings 25/10/19 Bandstand erected. Order signed in October 1909. Square 09 Centennial 1912 One of three playgrounds opened during this year by the newly formed Saint Kelehner and Collins Playgroun John Playground Association 1997 pp. 119 d Allison 1912 One of three playgrounds opened during this year by the newly formed Saint Kelehner and Collins Grounds John Playground Association 1997 pp. 119 Rockwood 1912 Lily Lake Pavilion burns to the ground, August 30. Park

48 Fort Howe 1913 Women's Canadian Club takes lead in movement to preserve the beauty of Globe? Dec. 13, 1913 Fort Howe Hill … Dec. 13 Rockwood 1914 Approximately 1914 the first known information pamphlet published on Acres 1966, pp. 4 Park Rockwood Park Several good catches of trout have been reported within the last few days. One RICF party some days ago secured five, and yesterday another captured three nice ones. The fish are said to be biting well now and jumping out of the water freely. Beatteay's 1914 the axe fell on Beatteay's Beach in 1914. It was announced at this time that Boulanger pp. 71 Beach construction would begin on a grain elevator at the foot of Saint John St. ... with (Blue the demise of Beatteay's Beach, interested shifte slighly up the ocvast to such Rock beaches as Bay shor, Seaside Park and Mclarens ... pp 71 Beach, Nice Beach) Rockwood 1915 1915 - This evening will witness the first attempt at night work that has yet been Park attempted in connection with the soldier's training. The whole battalion will march out to-night to Rockwood Park, where they will spend three or four hours in skirmishing work and outpost duty. As often as the weather permits it is the intention of the officers to have night work, so that the men will get used to scrambling over strange ground in the dark and also to harden them up. Considerable fun is anticipated at this evening's exercises, but should result in some good work. On Saturday the Armoury will be thoroughly fumigated and the articles of clothing of all the men will be disinfected. Nothing of interest is occurring in the Army Service Corps, Artillery or Mounted RICF Rifles. Rockwood 1915 1915 - There is again good skating at Lily Lake. The ice is fine and with the RICF Park expected moonlight a number of skaters are looking forward with interest to the week end. Kings 1920 Feb. 7th, great ice and snow storm caused damage in Kings Square and Kelehner and Collins Square Loyalist burial ground, and one would expect elsewhere in forested areas. 1998, pp. 20 - 24 Rockwood 1925 Tenders for the construction of a grand stand at Lily lake for the world's RICF Park championship skating meet, will probably be advertised for next week. Rockwood 1926 1926 - Whether the club house at Lily Lake will be rebuilt will be the chief topic RICF Park of discussion at a meeting of the Horticultural Society, which is being held this afternoon. It is understood that a delegation representing the Saint John Skating Association will be present at the meeting.

49 Rockwood 1926 Saint John's Charles Gorman is the world's amateur speed skating champion Kelehner and Collins Park after winning the event at Lily Lake in Saint John. The competitions were held 1998, pp. 57 on Jan. 26 to 28, it is estimated that 50,000 people attended the championships. Rockwood 1927 1927 - Ozark Ripley, famous fly caster, is scheduled to give a demonstration RICF Park and a talk on casting to the Boy Scouts of the city at Lily Lake tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Members of the New Brunswick Fish & Game Association and their friends are urged to attend and bring with them a rod equipped with line and cast. Following Mr. Ripley's exhibition, the Boy Scouts will be divided into squads and given an opportunity to try their hand at casting. Each squad will be tutored in the art by members of the Protective Association. Tomorrow night Mr. Ripley will address the organization meeting of the New Brunswick Fish & Game Protective Association at Rothesay. Partridge 1927 Celtic Cross erected Island Fort Howe 1929 September 11, the area made a national historic park, Kelehner and Collins 1998, pp. 121 Taylor 1930 Now part of Irving Nature park, it is suggested that it was a popular recreational Goss and Miller 1999, Island spot in the 1930's pp. 120 Beach area Rockwood 1937 Horticultural Society purchases the last land section for the park Acres 1966, pp.4 Park Mispect c. 1946 Mispec area purchased from the military by the County of St. John Goss, Telegraph Beach Journal July 4, 1998 Saturday, July 4/98 Dominion 1945 July 1st, this freshwater beach area was purchased by the city. It had been Goss and Miller, 1999, Park used as a beach area for an unknown period of time before this, known as pp. 124 Tippetts Beach and Raynes Beach. McLaren's 1954 Destruction of infrastructure in Hurricane Edna, last of the infrastructure Goss and Miller 1999, Beach buildings destroyed in the Ground Hog Day gale of 1976. pp. 42 Rockwood 1956 In 1956 the Horticultural and the Fish & Game Associations financed the construction Park of the new pavilion. Rockwood 1966 Acres submits the first plan since the Vaux Plan of 1899 Acres 1966, Park

50 Mispect 1967 Referbishment of the Beach area as a result of amalgamation of the county with the Telegraphy Journal, Beach city. July 4, 1998 Saturday, July 4/98 St. 1967 The Trinity Lamps (Three Sisters) restored and celtic cross erected in memory Patricks of the Irish immigrants who died of typhus on Partridge island in 1847 Square Fort Howe 1967 Blockhouse reconstructed as Centennial Project Rockwood 1967 Fisher Lake developed as part ot the City's centennial project. Petting zoo, ski Goss and Miller,1999, Park hill and other features were added. pp. 123 Rockwood 08/12/19 City receives Vincent Massey Award for excellence in an urban environment Evening Times-Globe, Park 71 RICF pp. 49 Rockwood 1971 Rockwood Golf Course opens, first game , June Pamphlets 16, 1982 Park Rockwood 1973 After considerable contraversy the Common Council votes to operate the Park Rockwood Park Golf Course, efforts had been made to sell it a move strongly opposed by citizens Rockwood 1974 Cherry Brook Zoo opens in Rockwood Park Park Kings 1977 Bandstand refurbished, originally built in 1909 Square Rockwood 1978 1978 - Lily Lake was designated by Common Council on Monday as a RICF Park landmark in the development of the community. Council also voted to ask the American Water Works Association to designate the lake as an "AWWA Historic Landmark". The designation by the association is given to properties at least 50 years old RICF, pp. 51, Evening that have "or have had, a direct relationship with water supply's treatment, Times-Globe, e April distribution or technological development." 1973 Lily Lake is the site of the original water supply for Saint John. In a report from engineering and works commissioner Claude MacKinnon, Council was told that water started flowing through the pipes from Lily Lake in 1838. The system consisted of a wooden sluice that carried water from Gilbert's Mill to a reservoir near the Marsh Bridge. An engine and pumping house was erected over the cistern and water sent through a 10-inch main along Brussel and Carmarthen streets to the reservoir on Block House Hill, presently Leinster Street. A 12-inch cast iron pipe was laid from the reservoir to King Street and then to Prince William Street, along which was laid a 10-inch pipe to Prince Street.

51 A Fire hydrant in Market Square, connected with the pipes, completed the system which was the first Water Works of the City of Saint John. Rockwood 1979 1979 - Workers from the Saint John Fish Culture Station, Loch Lomond Road, RICF Park will stock Lily Lake and Fisher Lakes in Rockwood Park Monday with 3,500 year-old speckled trout as part of a Metro Stocking Program of Environment Canada. The lakes have already been stocked for public fishing on Tuesday and Monday's load will bring the total to 7,000 of the 20 to 25 centimetre trout. The announcement of the Metro Stocking Project was made by Saint John Fish Culture Station Supervisor R.N. Black, in response to inquiries the station has received about whether the lakes would be stocked this year. He said 3,000 trout were supplied to the lakes last year. Rockwood 24/09/19 Pet deer in the petting zoo killed by dogs RICF, pp 68, Evening Park 81 Times-Globe Rockwood 17/05/19 Fire Destroys Canteen at Rockwood Park RICF Evening Times- Park 82 Globe Rockwood 1982 New Shower and Washroom building constructed in the park, location not RICF Evening Times- Park specified Globe Rockwood 21/09/19 American Waterworks Associatioin gives plaque to city designating Lily Lake as RICF, Evening Times- Park 82 a Canadian water landmark. Globe Irving 1992 Irving Nature Park Opens to the Public Nature Park

52 Recreation 2006 A renewal plan for recreation, “We desire to surround children with Telegraph Journal. May General conditions which prevent their being robbed of their childhood, to give 15, 2006 young people and even adults opportunities for social enjoyment, and we welcome to membership all who believe in the playground idea as an agency for dealing with causes and not with consequences.” These words - written by a volunteer determined to help expand recreational opportunities in Saint John - are a fine call to action as the city considers the magnitude of what it needs to invest…It’s eye-opening to realize they were written in January 12, 1912, when the "Rockwood Recreation Ground" was new and the city's Allison Grounds were well kept and well used. … Jobs and economic opportunities bring people into cities. But quality of life issues determine whether they stay, and if they stay, how long…Mabel Peters, the president of the St. John Playgrounds Association in 1912, knew the importance of a community working together. She wrote of volunteers who kept the spirit of recreation alive "until such time as municipalities can be aroused to a serious sense of their responsibilities of their obligations to the youth of their communities." …We hope that awareness results in a working plan and the political will to see it accomplished. SOURCE: www.canadaeast.com

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