Montebello Park
The band shell and pavilion at Montebello Park
Location64 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°09′30″N 79°15′05″W / 43.15837°N 79.25139°W / 43.15837; -79.25139
DesignerFrederick Law Olmsted

Montebello Park is a public park in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It features a commemorative rose garden and an ornamental fountain. The focal point of the park is a historic band shell and pavilion used for festivals. The park and its pavillion are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.[1]

Early history

The City of St. Catharines purchased the site in 1887 for the city's first public park, commissioning Frederick Law Olmsted to design the park, who had created New York City's Central Park.[2] A pavilion was constructed on the foundation of the original Merritt estate in 1888.[3] A covered circular bandstand modelled after the one built for the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, was constructed in the park by Edwin Nicholson.[4] Dances were held upon the pavillion every Saturday night until the 1940s.[1]

In 1948, a case was heard in the Supreme Court of Canada, after the death of a child in Montebello Park after a structure collapsed on her during Victory over Japan Day celebrations. Two other children were injured. The judges decided that park management were negligent in their actions.[5]

Renovations

In 2016, the rose garden was renovated. During these renovations, only the rose garden was closed, with other areas open to the public.[6] In 2018, the pavillion was renovated to repair and replace flooring and railings. The pavillion was not able to be rented or used during this timeframe.[7] In 2022, a new playground was built to replace the one previously built in 1998, with improved safety and accessiblility features.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "By-law 78-364". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "History from Here: Montebello Park". St. Catharines Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Montebello Park". Brock University. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Gannon, Dennis. "Yesterday and Today: Much of St. Catharines-built heritage is owed to E.C. Nicholson". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Booth et al. v. City of St. Catharines et al., [1948] S.C.R. 564". Supreme Court of Canada. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Montebello Park rose garden to be renovated". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Hutton, Richard. "Renovation work set to begin at Montebello Park pavilion". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Walter, Karena. "St. Catharines' latest accessible playground starting construction". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
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