Parks

Victory Square was at one time the grounds of the city's provincial courthouse, which was torn down in 1911-13. The location had significance when it was chosen, as it stands at the intersection of the old Granville townsite (aka Gastown) and the CPR townsite, which was the downtown-designated land grant obtained by the CPR as part of the deal to locate the terminus and thereby found the city. The Victory Square Cenotaph is located in this park (see memorial 59026-002).

On June 13, 1995, Alfred Park was renamed Veterans' Peace Park. The year marked the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadians in the Second World War and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 63 had approached the Town Council to rename the park.

The Smithers' Cenotaph is located in the park.

In 1921, a 12-acre North Saanich War Memorial Park was established by the Memorial Park Society in dedication to the local men lost in the First World War. The park also included an athletic field and children's playground. In 1958, the non-profit Sidney and North Saanich Community Hall Association (SANSCHA) built the Sanscha Community Hall on this land.

In the 1960s, the Sanscha Hall, athletic field and surrounding lands were named as The North Saanich Memorial Park. Portions of the property were expropriated for roadway construction, including the Pat Bay Highway in 1961 and the Bevan Avenue Diversion in 1983. In 1994, the Sanscha Site Re-Development Study for MPS considered the replacement of Sanscha Hall. The Mary Winspear Centre opened its door in September 2001. This area was part of the North Saanich War Memorial Park.

This park was renamed Veterans Park in 2005, in honour of the Year of the Veteran.

City of Port Coquitlam - Veterans Park Dedication:

In honour of the Year of the Veteran, the park in front of City Hall was renamed Veterans Park in November 2005. "It's no coincidence that this permanent tribute to our veterans will be in such a high-profile location - right in front of City Hall,:|" Port Coquitlam Mayor Scott Young said. "We wanted Veterans Park to be front and centre in our community, to serve as constant reminder of our veterans', honour, valour and sacrifice." Mayor Young met with members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 in the summer of 2005 to determine a fitting way for Port Coquitlam to celebrate the Year of the Veteran, which marked the 60th anniversary of the Second World War. The resulting proposal to dedicate Veterans Park was unanimously supported by City Council. "All the veterans I've spoken to are excited about it. They think it's outstanding," Branch 133 President RJ Kent said. "The Royal Canadian Legion and our veterans, in conjunction with City Hall, are ecstatic about the dedication of the park. On behalf of the veterans, I'd like to thank the Mayor, the Councillors and City Hall for making this effort and this gesture in the Year of the Veteran." Veterans Park is already home to Port Coquitlam's cenotaph and as such, plays host to part of the City's annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. It's beautiful landscaping and Shaughnessy Street location also makes it a popular respite for people shopping or doing business in the downtown area. "It pleases me greatly to know that with the dedication of Veterans Park today, generations to come will have a place in our downtown to sit quietly and reflect on what our veterans did for this country and for all of us," Mayor Young said. A dedication plaque has been installed in Veterans Park to commemorate the dedication and the Year of the Veteran. As well, the park's new name will be added to the brick-and-concrete archways at its three entrances.

In 2006, the Chip Kerr Park was dedicated to John Chipman Kerr, a Victoria Cross winner. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force's 49th Battalion in 1915, and was instrumental in the Battle of the Somme. During the Second World War, he re-enlisted and was posted to Sea Island, British Columbia as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He moved to Port Moody in 1947 and remained there until his death in 1963.

The John Chipman Kerr Memorial and Chip Kerr VC Memorial Auditorium were also dedicated to him.

This municipal park, dedicated by the city of Port Coquitlam, is dedicated to George and Douglas Davison, two local brothers killed while in military service during the Second World War.

Selby Park in Penticton, British Columbia, was named in honour of Eric Selby, who by the luck of a draw was the first veteran to choose a lot in West Bench, Penticton in 1952. With the naming, the tribute included a new wheelchair accessible ramp and stairs to Selby Park, sculptures, pathways and tables, and a map of the original Veterans’ Land Act subdivision of 1952 and 1957. There are bronze plaques in the area that list the approximately 180 names of Veterans of the Second World War who settled in the West Bench community. The community overlooking Penticton was created under the VLA to provide housing and a source of agricultural income to those coming home from the war.

In the park there is a bright yellow sculpture that depicts a soldier holding a gun in one hand and his wife’s hand in the other. The soldier is also shown with a piece missing from his midsection. The sculpture is meant to make people think and consider what life was like for Second World War veterans who settled there with assistance provided under the Veterans’ Land Act.

Sue Gibbons, the daughter of the late Navy veteran Bob Jenkins, set the wheels in motion in 2009 to provide the recognition. She approached the Area F Parks Commission and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. In 2010, the RDOS applied for and received $18,000 in federal matching grants for park upgrades. The Veterans; Tribute in Selby Park came into being thanks to a grant from Veterans’ Affairs Canada. The park designers were architect Chris Allen, and Cal Meiklejohn. The RDOS received a maximum of $24,520 through the Community War Memorial Program.

Needs further research

This memorial park, marked by a concrete stele and fountain, was erected by the Rotary Club of Penticton in June 1955 in memory of those killed in war.

Marine Peace Park, was designated as Salmon Arm's "Peace Park" as part of Canada's 125th Birthday in 1992. The signature piece of the marine park is the 135 metre (440 feet) long wooden pier sitting on stilts. 

"Peace Parks Across Canada" was conceived and organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in collaboration with "CANADA 125" and the National Capital Commission. As Canada celebrated its 125th Birthday, some 400 cities and towns across Canada dedicated a Park to Peace – with most parks dedicated at Noon local time, October 8th, as the National Peacekeeping Monument was being unveiled in Ottawa. The members of the winning design team included Cornelia H. Oberlander, landscape architect. Supporters included the Federation of Canadian Mayors and Municipalities, Canada Parks and Recreation Association, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Heritage Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Friends of the Earth, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, and local Rotary Clubs all across Canada. Project sponsors included VIA Rail, Greyhound Lines Canada, Ltd., CP Hotels and Resorts, Ramada International Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Ltd., Meridien Hotels, Concept 3 Advertising and Programmed Communications, Ltd.

Peace Parks Across Canada" has served as the foundation in launching the "IIPT Global Peace Parks Program" on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 2000.

At noon on October 9th, 2007 – one day after the precise 15th Anniversary of the original dedications, and as Canada continues to be a beacon of peace, Tolerance, and Understanding in a world of increasing violence and distrust, and a nation that celebrates diversity, a nation-wide re-dedication was co-ordinated.

Each of the original Peace Parks incorporated a ‘Bosco Sacro’ (Peace Grove) of 12 trees as a symbolic link with one another, and with nature - and as a symbol of hope for the future. The 12 trees were also symbolic of Canada’s 10 Provinces and two Territories. As there are now three Territories, a 13th tree was planted as part of the "Re-dedication Ceremony."