Merritt & Memorial Parks, The Gateway - "Commemorating Local Heritage"

The downtown core of many cities is usually dotted with landmarks commemorating local heritage and St. Catharines is no exception. Two parks leading to the downtown core of St. Catharines honour significant people and events. In Memorial Park, on St. Paul Street, the Cenotaph stands proudly, honouring St. Catharines soldiers killed in World War I. Dedicated by the Prince of Wales in 1927, the Cenotaph hosts annual Remembrance Day ceremonies honouring those who died for their country.

Ontario Jaycee Gardens

This Park is approximately 20 acres in size and contains shrub and annual flower beds, as well as an outstanding chrysanthemum display with over 50 varieties in bloom from September to the end of October. The Park is located on Ontario Street between Linwell Road and Lakeport Road and is the site for the Annual Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt. Mid June and mid August will find the Annual Can-Am Soap Box Derby being Hosted at Ontario Jaycees Gardens. This park is also a perfect location for wedding photographs.

***CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF JAYCEE***

At Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie

The Lakeside Park Carousel has captured the spirit of St. Catharines residents for generations. It was carved between 1898 and 1905 in Riverside, Rhode Island by the Charles I. D. Looff Company and moved to its St. Catharines home in 1921 where it was welcomed enthusiastically.

Lakeside Park was originally operated as a joint concern between the Canada Railway News and the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway (N.S.&T.). The N.S.&T. Railway purchased the carousel second hand from Hanlan's Point, Scarborough Beach in Toronto and in 1921 constructed the carousel building on the beach of Lakeside Park. In years past, the "Northumberland" and the "Dalhousie City" steamers traversed the lake to bring thousands of visitors to one of the most popular beaches on all of the Great Lakes. At only $1.00 return, this St. Catharines trip became a Sunday ritual. Approximately one-quarter of a million people annually visited this park and flocked to ride the carousel, only one of 58 attractions that once filled the park.

Walker Arboretum - "See unique Plants & Trees"

The year was 1862, the location was the estate of Thomas Rodman Merritt and the man in charge was Samuel Richardson, a landscape designer from England. The result was a garden that at its peak included exotic trees from Europe, China and the Carolinas, perennial borders and lush formal gardens with neatly trimmed hedges. Today the remnants of Richardson's work have been woven into the fabric of what now is the Walker Arboretum. Located directly behind the Rodman Hall Arts Centre, the Walker Arboretum boosts plants and trees not normally grown in this area.

Montebello Park

This downtown park is approximately 6 acres in size and boasts one of the largest rose gardens in the Niagara Peninsula. The Rose Garden contains over 25 different varieties and in excess of 1,400 bushes. The park is bounded by Ontario, Midland, Lake and Queen Streets. This park is one of the event sites for the Annual Grape and Wine Festival in September. The rose garden and bandshell provide the perfect spot for wedding photos.