Jackson Park Band Shell

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• JT - That's true, if there's one thing they were truly a master of it was their use of Concrete as a building material. They did it better than anyone else in town. Look at Alicia Mason or the Budimir Library (both J&M). It's hard to tell from these photos, but the concrete liner inside the band shell is pretty impressive.

  I was lucky enough to meet with Doug Johnson, who was the Johnson in Johnson-McWhinnie, and he gave me a copy of their job list. One of these days, I'll do a full post on those guys.

• Air Supply didn't play in the bandstand itself though, Darren. They set up a stage at the south end of the field, with the crowded seated in the bleachers and on the field. Same deal with the Beach Boys who also played the same venue that summer. Was the summer of 1983 or 84.

• Now this would be an excellent community reclamation project. An army of volunteers overseen by Parks and Rec. and maybe our new Heritage planner. Mission... To bring this beauty back to it's glory days. Funding could come by way of a donation drive. Talk to people like Ted Boomer to see if we can get a major gig in there. It should also be re-introduced to the symphony for summer outdoor concerts, to the theatre community for the same. This is an opportunity. P.S...There are no apartment buildings or dwellings which are that close. This thing is buried pretty well in the back/central portion of the park. Andrew...If you can suggest the Yorktown Plaza sign for Heritage, you might make sure that this gem be worth while as well. See you out there.

• One way to start the bandshell's recovery is to stage guerrilla events there. Fun summer book readings, little acoustic shows, performance art. When the people start coming, it will be a place.

  We found this somewhere around 94 or 95 -- was used for Parks storage then too. We played a little game of handball on the stage. Apart from being Hot Modernism, it was good for handball.

• MOM - It is already on the inventory.

  Shawn - The problem with it, is that it's fenced off to the public. During spring/summer when parks is working, the gate is open during working hours...

• JT is correct. CBC TV ran a story on this in August/September. The current grand stand is/was supposed to be demolished and the band shell renovated. I don't know why it hasn't been mentioned since. Perhaps the plan was put on hold when the true extent of the economic downturn was finally acknowledged in September.

  I was also unaware of its existence until I saw the news report. I guess I should have attended more football games while at Kennedy!

• I'm glad I'm not the only one who has lived here their entire lives, gone to that park an unspeakable amount of times, and never knew the place existed!

  Also, Jackson Park must have been a really nice place for the Freedom Festival. The grass is so much easier on your feet than that tarmac at the river front, not to mention the shady trees that provide respite from the heat in June-July...

  I've read somewhere that Jackson Park was a lot bigger a long time ago than it was now... something to the effect that it even extended north across Tecumseh (?)

• The City of Windsor Parks Department will be holding their second open house on the new concept plan for Jackson Park. It will be Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm at Caboto Club. They had one last fall where they took comments. Apparantly, they are developing the new plan and are answering questions and receiving comments. I will be there. It is a good time for anyone interested to pursue the re-use of this bandshell. I know that I will be bringing it up.

• Thanks for posting this topic, truly a piece of Windsor history that could actually be restored...

  I had the opportunity to perform on this stage a few times throughout the 1970's... Fireman's Field Day, The Battle of the Bands was one of these events.... (1971) I think that was the year we placed second. I also recall it raining just before we were to go on stage, I had to stand in a wet area on the stage, and got a bad electric shock off the microphone when i began to sing... I'll never forget that jolt.

  I like and agree with this idea, could be a weekly event in the summer - Wednesday Evenings at the Bandshell - could be funded as well if cards are played in the proper order..... that then would sustain the events and they wouldn't die out because of lost interest - any ideas?

  re: Comment by Shawn Micallef
  "One way to start the bandshell’s recovery is to stage guerrilla events there. Fun summer book readings, little acoustic shows, performance art. When the people start coming, it will be a place."

• I remember attending 'Emancipation Day' (the August civic holiday which was referred to as Emancipation Day by local residents) celebrations at Jackson Park. It featured a large midway, a beauty pageant and lots of music. The bandshell was well used. Eventually this celebration was moved (banished?) to MicMac Park on Prince Road if I recall. I was not a resident of Windsor back then and was just a lad so my recollections are a bit vague on the named acts appearing at the bandshell. Did the International Freedom Festival hold events at Jackson Park also? The history of the park and events held there would be an interesting read.