Old Newspaper StoriesWindsor

Memorial Park Gates

I tried looking for a picture of the gates on Ypres and Hall that mark the entrance to Memorial Park. The only one I could locate, was the photo above from 2001.

Since that time the gates have been restored and some plaques added to it.

It now looks like this:


View Larger Map

From The Border Cities Star, July 3, 1925, here’s some background on the park and the gates…

    W.C. KENNEDY PAID TRIBUTE
    _____
    Name Given to New Memorial Park in Windsor
    _____
    Commission Also Changes Titles of Other Play Centres
    ______

    Memorial park, Windsor’s newest public recreation spot, is to be known in the future as Kennedy Park, in honor (sic) of the late Hon. W.C. Kennedy, minister of railways and canals in the King government several years ago, and South Essex parliamentary representative.

    NAMES CHANGED

    This change was effected at a meeting or the Windsor Parks Commission Friday night. Church Street playground was renamed Mitchell Park, in honor (sic) of Mayor F.J. Mitchell; and Clay playground was specifically changed to Henry Clay Park, to perpetuate the memory of the late Henry Clay, one time mayor and lately clerk of the supreme and county courts.

    Garwood Park, on Logan Avenue is to be known henceforth as Alexandria Park.

    Considerable discussion took place over the proposal to rename Memorial Park, but Col. E.S. Wigle, and William W. Lanspeary, chairman of the board, who favored (sic) the retnetion of the name “Memorial” as voicing public sentiment in honor (sic) overseas veterans, were outvoted by the rest of the commission. A small plot of ground adjoining St. Alphonsus Cemetery and donated to the city by Mrs. Kennedy, was named Kennedy Court.

    OPPOSED HONOR

    John Muxlow, one of the commissioners, urged the changing of the Church Street recreation centre to Mitchell Park, declaring that the present mayor, who resides nearby, is the first native of the city to be elected chief magistrate, Mayor Mitchell opposed the suggestion.

    Plans were approved for the construction of a storage warehouse on McDougall street at a cost of $6,500. This building which will be fireproof, will be used to house all of the parks equipment, at the present time scattered about the city. The land upon which the structure will be located is owned by the city of Windsor, and the use of it was loaned to the commission by the city council. It lies north of Erie Street.

    SKETCH APPROVED

    A sketch of the proposed ornamental entrance to Kennedy Park, as submitted by Cameron & Ralston, architects, was also approved. The sum of $2,000 was donated for the construction of this gateway by the Essex Land Company, which sold the 32-acre park to the city last year.

    William Macklem, who owns the refreshment concession at Wigle Park, appeared before the commission and explained he was losing money on the concession this year. This was due,he said, because of the smaller crowds of sport fans attending baseball fixtures. The crowds were more interested in senior baseball contests staged at Stodgell Park, Walkerville, he said.

    Mr. Macklem asked consideration on the subject.

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