The postcard above from the mid 1920’s shows a view of Lanspeary Park.
Bounded by Giles to the north, Ottawa to the south, Langlois to the west and Pierre to the east, Lanspeary is home to a pool, ice rink, ball diamonds, bandstand as well as greenhouses, which I was told once were part of the Willstead property.
From the City of Windsor Official Parks History:
Lanspeary Park
Commonly known as: Lanspeary Park
Former/other names: none
Location: bounded by Ottawa, Langlois, Giles and Pierre Streets
Property acquired: 1917
Acreage: 11.4
Official designation: Community parkLanspeary Park is named in honour of former Windsor Alderman W.D. Lanspeary, an individual
who chaired the City’s Parks Committee in 1917, when the park was initially established. In all,
Lanspeary served nine years on City Council, including a three-year stint as chairman of the Parks
Committee. He was a key figure in the development of several public parks, including Straith and
Mitchell. As well, Lanspeary was instrumental in negotiations to provide Windsor with basic hydro
power.In 1917, a $70,000 debenture issue enabled the City to purchase several parkland sites, including a
portion of today’s Lanspeary Park. Lands to expand the park were acquired in piecemeal fashion
over the following three years, at a total cost of nearly $100,000. In 1926, a modest greenhouse,
designed to showcase the Parks Department’s plants, flowers and shrubs, was established at the
park. A radio-equipped bandstand, ornamental entranceways, playground equipment and a cricket
pitch were also added to the park. In total, the City spent $11,000 to upgrade and refine Lanspeary
Park in 1926.The Lions Club of Windsor, long known as an active, resourceful service club, began an extensive
fund raising drive in 1950, aimed at raising enough money to finance the installation of an outdoor
swimming pool at the park. Ultimately, the Lions Club publicly raised $25,000 and generously
contributed an additional $50,000 from their own coffers. After the City contributed $25,000, the
project was financially viable, and construction soon began on Windsor’s first outdoor swimming
pool. In 1991, the outdoor pool needed to be refurbished and again, the Lions Club contributed.
Along with funds from Wintario and the City both the pool and change rooms were improved.Lanspeary Park is a vibrant, versatile public facility, providing Windsorites with an extensive
variety of high quality recreational facilities. Besides a standard array of playground equipment, the
site also contains bocce courts and an outdoor ice rink. The Department of Parks and Recreation’s
greenhouses are also located at the park. Lanspeary Park is probably best known as the home of
Windsor’s annual Labour Day Festival, a major local event which consistently attracts large
crowds.
This is fantastic. I lived across the street from the park for a decade and always imagined what the neighbourhood looked like in the past. Thanks!
when we were kids we would jump the fence around the pool and take a swim after hours
Amazing how in some ways parks have changed so little. Although the teeter-totters now have those spring things to prevent you from dropping a kid from the top. A damn shame I say.
Came to Canada in 1956, lived on Gladstone and as a teenager “hung out” at Lanspeary, watching the softball leagues in action, climbing the pool fence and listening to Gene Vincent’s “Be Bop Alula” being played in the bandshell. The pool hall was across the way on Ottawa St, next to the RC Church and the bowling alley.
Love the fact that the bandstand/gazebo was there way back then, and, what is more shocking in a city that has razed most of its history to the ground, that it surives to this day!
A cricket pitch! Wow. I don’t think that’s still there. Are there any others that survive in Windsor? Not that I want to play or watch (like watching paint dry, sorry) just interesting and unusual.
There are cricket pitches in Jackson Park ( behind the Tennis club) and Optimist park (west of the parking lot and behind the community centre).
wow the memories here-skating,baseball,soccer,swimming and yes hopin the fence for a quick swim in evening. i remember my dad playing bocci ball{similar to lawn bowling) in the courts along pierre street. 917 pierre st.where i grew up.will never forget, thanks
As a proud granddaughter of William West Lanspeary, after whom the park was named, my fondest memories of the Park were involved with the Pool….I was in the first group of lifeguards to serve, when the Pool opened upon completion of construction in 1950….the only other Windsor Recreation water facility was the Windsor Bathing Beach on the Detroit River across from Belle Isle….those “guards” were known as “The “Beachers”…we at the Park were “The “Poolers”…….after Lanspeary Park was named, my grandmother, Lillian Lanspeary, was instrumental in the planting of many of the trees, bushes and flowers around the park…..am so happy the Park has survived all these years and enjoys a busy and happy existence!!….nothing would have pleased my grandfather more!!!
As the last direct male descendant of W.W. Lanspeary I am very proud of my last name and the work done by my great-grandfather. Here’s hoping Lanspeary Park remains in integral part of our city’s heritage.
I have been employed by the city parks and have worked in the greenhouses for 37yrs,and we have made every effort to not change too much of the history,we are all thankful for the vision of Mr.Lanspeary who has provided fun,memories for the people of Windsor,your family should be very proud.