Central Park: Urban Parks In Canada

Central Park is one of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s oldest urban parks which was developed in 1893 after the City of Winnipeg acquired it from The Hudson Bay Company for $10,000 cash and $10,000 debentures. Prominent residents developed ornate homes, as seen in Figure 1, apartments and cottages around the 3.5 acre irregularly shaped park which is located on Qu’Appelle Avenue between Edmonton Street and Carlton Street.
As the City began to develop parks and greenspaces they created a Public Parks Board to administer how these parks were developed. Central Park was one of four parks originally acquired by the Board who called them “ornamented squares or breathing spaces”. Central Park was the most urban and came to be the most popular park of the
These walkways also helped to reduce the amount of maintenance in the park. Due to the growing number of community events such as concerts and community singing a bandstand was built in 1905, followed by two tennis courts and a drinking fountain. The Waddell Fountain was named after Emily Waddell and was built as the focal point of the park in 1914. It was designed by Architect John Manuel in a Victorian Style and was described by the Historic Building Committee as “unique within the city because of its size, design and the extent of ornamentation”.
Starting in the 1920’s it became more fashionable for the wealthy to relocate to the rapidly expanding suburbs of Winnipeg which brought with it change around Central Park. The large homes surrounding the park were divided and turned into multifamily homes or demolished, and the area slowly became home to more lower to middle class
It is not only giving local residents a safer place to come to play or relax, it is creating a new social fabric that celebrates all that live there while providing a safe place for all ages and cultures to enjoy. Bellamy notes that “it has quickly become an active public amenity that has redefined and re-engaged a community whose success is vital to the future of our city.”
Brent Bellamy also be noted that the crime rates in the area have dropped by 25% since the park opened which can be thought to be attributed to the increase activity at all times of the day, improved site lighting and the simple fact that the people who live near and visit Central Park take pride in their neighbourhood and have every reason to.
The outdoor sports field uses artificial turf to reduce on maintenance and allows field to be used until the snow comes when it is flooded and turned into a large skating rink. Lighting was added to extend the hours the field can be used while making it safer.
The Heritage Waddell fountain was restored to its original beauty with updated lighting.
On the north side of the site is an accessible wading pool and spray park to cool off on a hot