Rockwood Park (Saint John, New Brunswick)
| Rockwood Park | |
|---|---|
 Ice rinks in Rockwood Park | |
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| Location | Saint John, New Brunswick |
| Coordinates | 45°18′16″N 66°03′34″W / 45.3045°N 66.0594°W |
| Area | 2,200 acres (890 ha) |
Rockwood Park is a city park in Saint John, New Brunswick. It is 2,200 acres (890 ha) in size, with ten lakes and 55 trails and footpaths. The park includes upland Acadian mixed forest, several hills and several caves, as well as freshwater lakes, with a trail network, and a golf course.[citation needed]
It is located in the eastern area of the North End and is one of Canada and New Brunswick's largest urban parks.[citation needed] It is also a Stonehammer Geopark site.
The park is open from dawn until dusk and has free parking.[citation needed] Visitors can enter and exit from either the Lake Drive at Lily Lake or Hawthorne Avenue Extension at Fisher Lakes. Paved pathways connect to amenities such as the Interpretation Centre, the Kiwanis Play Park, and the Bark Park.[citation needed]
Description
Rockwood Park is located in Saint John, New Brunswick, just north from the Uptown region. The park is 2,200 acres (890 ha) in size and contains six natural lakes.[1] One of these lakes, Lily Lake, is a frequent boating and fishing spot used by visitors.[2]
History
Rockwood Park was designed in the 19th century by Calvert Vaux, one of the designers of Central Park in New York City.[3] Vaux's father had previously made a preliminary report for the park, which Vaux would work on after inheriting some of his father's clients after his death.[4] Initially, Rockwood Park was created around Lily Lake during the late 19th century, being named through a vote conducted for nearby citizens.[5]
Lily Lake was one of the first sources of fresh water for Saint John. It was hauled from the lake by tanks and sold for 1 cent a bucket. In 1907, a court battle ensued as to who had the rights to the ice in Lily Lake; the ice cutters or the skaters. Although the ice cutters had been granted permission to erect an ice block conveyor in previous years, the skaters won and for decades the lake was center for outdoor winter recreation.[citation needed]
In 1926, the speed skater Charles Gorman, won the World Speed Skating Championship on Lily Lake. It was estimated that 25,000 people turned out on February 7, 1926, to watch him take the championship, setting a world record in the 220 and 440 yard events.[citation needed]
Lily Lake Pavilion
Sitting on the shores of the Lily Lake in Rockwood Park is the Lily Lake Pavilion venue which has dining and spa options.[citation needed]
The Lily Lake Pavilion is a registered charity that provides educational and recreational programs for children, seniors and families in Saint John.[citation needed]
Venues
- Lily Lake Pavilion[6]
- Lily Lake Spa[7]
- Fisher Lake Pavilion
- Inside Out Nature Center (Rock-climbing, guided hikes, outdoor equipment and boat rental) [8]
- Beaches at Fisher Lake and Lily Lake
- Campground[9]
- Golf course and driving range[10]
See also
- American Water Landmark - Lily Lake Reservoir (awarded 1982)
References
- ^ Martin, Linda (1983). The city parks of Canada. Oakville, Ont. : Mosaic Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-88962-230-2. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Lawson, Jessie I. (1953). This is New Brunswick. Toronto: Ryerson Press. p. 68. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Rockwood Park". Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Birnbaum, Charles; Fix, Julie (1995). Pioneers of American Landscape Design II: An Annotated Bibliography. p. 146. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Rockwood Park". Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "About". Lily Lake Pavilion. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
- ^ "At the Lake Spa & Studio". At the Lake Spa & Studio. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
- ^ "Inside Out nature Centre". Inside Out nature Centre. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
- ^ "Home". Rockwood Park Campground. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
- ^ "Golf Rockwood | 18 hole Golf Course in the heart of Saint John, New Brunswick". Retrieved 2021-08-01.