Victoria Park, Charlottetown
Encyclopedia
Victoria Park is a waterfront park in the Canadian
city of Charlottetown
, Prince Edward Island
. It is about 15 hectares (37 acres) in area.
as a 100 acres (40.5 ha) parcel for the use of the colonial administrator for St. John's Island (renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799). This property located immediately west of the city's original 500-lots was roughly eight times larger than the thirty-six 12 acres (4.9 ha) "estates" established in the northern part of the Queens Royalty
. It was envisioned that the property would be used to provide farmland for the governor and a site for an official residence.
Prior to the War of 1812
, the Prince Edward Battery established a fortification along the shore of the property facing the main shipping channel. Fort Edward was manned by the British Army and local militia until the mid-19th century.
The 100 acres (40.5 ha) property known as the Governor's Bank (as in land bank) was nicknamed "Fanning's Bank" and eventually shortened to simply Fanning Bank. In 1826, a farm house and barns were built and in 1832, a tender was called for constructing Government House
to house the colonial administrator which opened in December 1834.
Public pressure began to build for access to the 100 acres (40.5 ha) property and in 1869, the colonial government of the day stated that 30 acres (12.1 ha) of land was "quite sufficient for Government House" and that the remainder 40 acres (16.2 ha) should be procured for the public "as a place of retreat from the heat, filth and dust of the city".
On June 14, 1873, only 16 days before the colony became a province of Canada
, Governor William Cleaver Francis Robinson
vested responsibility of 40 acres (16.2 ha) of the Fanning Bank farm to the City of Charlottetown "to and for the use of all her Majesty's subjects as a park, promenade and pleasure ground. On no condition may it be used for circuses, shows or exhibitions of any kind..."
Shortly after this proclamation, the name Victoria Park was assigned in honour of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
city of Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. It is about 15 hectares (37 acres) in area.
History
The property containing Victoria Park was established in 1789 by Governor Edmund FanningEdmund Fanning (colonial administrator)
Edmund Fanning first gained fame for his role in the War of the Regulation, but later had a distinguished career as a colonial governor and British general.right| Sketch of Edmund Fanning...
as a 100 acres (40.5 ha) parcel for the use of the colonial administrator for St. John's Island (renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799). This property located immediately west of the city's original 500-lots was roughly eight times larger than the thirty-six 12 acres (4.9 ha) "estates" established in the northern part of the Queens Royalty
Queens Royalty, Prince Edward Island
Queens Royalty is the royalty for Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada.The township was established as part of the colonial survey of 1764 undertaken by Capt. Samuel J. Holland. It was intended to host the colonial capital of Prince Edward Island and [county seat] of Queens County,...
. It was envisioned that the property would be used to provide farmland for the governor and a site for an official residence.
Prior to the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, the Prince Edward Battery established a fortification along the shore of the property facing the main shipping channel. Fort Edward was manned by the British Army and local militia until the mid-19th century.
The 100 acres (40.5 ha) property known as the Governor's Bank (as in land bank) was nicknamed "Fanning's Bank" and eventually shortened to simply Fanning Bank. In 1826, a farm house and barns were built and in 1832, a tender was called for constructing Government House
Government House (Prince Edward Island)
Government House of Prince Edward Island, often referred to as Fanningbank, is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, as well as that in Charlottetown of the Canadian monarch...
to house the colonial administrator which opened in December 1834.
Public pressure began to build for access to the 100 acres (40.5 ha) property and in 1869, the colonial government of the day stated that 30 acres (12.1 ha) of land was "quite sufficient for Government House" and that the remainder 40 acres (16.2 ha) should be procured for the public "as a place of retreat from the heat, filth and dust of the city".
On June 14, 1873, only 16 days before the colony became a province of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Governor William Cleaver Francis Robinson
William Cleaver Francis Robinson
Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson GCMG was a British colonial administrator and a musical composer, being the author of several well known songs...
vested responsibility of 40 acres (16.2 ha) of the Fanning Bank farm to the City of Charlottetown "to and for the use of all her Majesty's subjects as a park, promenade and pleasure ground. On no condition may it be used for circuses, shows or exhibitions of any kind..."
Shortly after this proclamation, the name Victoria Park was assigned in honour of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
.
Development pressures
The park has experienced tremendous development pressures during the 20th century:- A "caretaker's cottage" was built in the early part of the century to house a park warden, typically a military veteran.
- The "Park Roadway" - a perimeter road along the shoreline of Charlottetown Harbour was built, along with a "Park Driveway" which bisected the park from Brighton Road to Fort Edward.
- Tennis courts and a clubhouse were constructed on the waterfront west of Fort Edward.
- In 1934, a portion of the adjoining Government House property along its northern boundary with Brighton Road was secured for the Prince Edward Island HospitalPrince Edward Island HospitalThe Prince Edward Island Hospital is a former acute care hospital that was located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It was the first public general hospital established in the province and the largest such facility throughout its history....
.
- On September 20, 1947, a baseball fieldBaseball fieldA baseball field, also called a ball field or a baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The terms "baseball field" and "ball field" are also often used as synonyms for ballpark.-Specifications:...
and running track named "Memorial Field" was dedicated in honour of Prince Edward Island athletes who sacrificed their lives in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The "Park Driveway" was constructed at this time to access the baseball field.
- A public swimming pool was built in the 1950s at the northwest corner of the park.
- Two softballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
fields were built on the east side of the Park Driveway opposite Memorial Field during the 1970s-1980s.
- A playground was established in the 1970s near the swimming pool.
- The Canada DayCanada DayCanada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...
fireworks displays and associated events were held at the park near Fort Edward until being moved to Confederation Landing Park in the mid-1990s.
- A skate park was constructed between Memorial Field and the swimming pool/playground in the early 2000s.
- A for-profit children's winter carnival was held in the park during the early 2000s before moving to Confederation Landing Park. This was moved after being found to be in violation of the park's founding charter.
- Additional tennis courts were constructed in 2008, in preparation for Prince Edward Island to host the 2009 Canada Games2009 Canada GamesThe 2009 Canada Summer Games were held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from August 15 to 29.-Events:*Athletics*Baseball*Basketball*Canoe/Kayak*Cycling*Diving*Golf*Rowing*Rugby*Sailing*Soccer*Softball*Swimming*Tennis*Triathlon...
. Memorial Field has undergone a complete rehabilitation.