Parks

When local doctor Karen Ewing returned home after seeing WWI and WWII battlefields and memorials in Europe, she felt strongly that, since many people would not be travelling to Europe, there should be a memorial in Bass River. Dr. Ewing began with a letter campaign to all levels of government, as well as companies, organizations, and individuals that might be willing to donate funds or materials for such a park. She then approached Dominion Chair Co, a local company to ask for a piece of land that had remained vacant for years in the heart of Bass River. The memorial park is dedicated to remembering, honouring, and celebrating all men and women who served of are serving in Canada's military in conflicts past and present.

The Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) was designed by Dr. Karen Ewing in the form of a Celtic flower. The three gardens enfold eight black granite monuments set on red gravel. On the left is the Garden of Sorrows, formed as a mock WWI trench with no flowers and only black mulch and white sandbags. Behind the monuments is the Garden of Remembrance, with old-fashioned white and green shrubs, bulbs, perennials, and grasses. To the right is the Garden of Hope, in full colour, again filled with shrubs, bulbs and perennials from all around the world to inspire the visitors to look forward to the day when we will all live in peace with each other. The park is ringed by native trees with lawns and red gravel paths.

In addition to the black granite monuments, there are three stone benches dedicated to the families, the parents and the children who give so much when a family member goes away to serve. Behind the garden sits a sculpture, created and donated by a local welder, of the world surrounded by barbed wire. As the wire circles upward, it changes to olive branches and, at the tip, a peace dove takes flight. It is a symbol of our continued hope for peace.

Finally, there is a Forgotten Heroes monument, conceived of and donated by a local student. It is dedicated to the sacrifice of all the animals that have been used during war time and peace time.

This memorial is dedicated to those who served in Canada's Armed Forces, Merchant Navy in the First and Second World Wars.

Memorial Square, named in 1938 for its primary feature, the Prince County Soldiers’ Monument, is the oldest public park in the City of Summerside. The park's military connection dates back to 1866 when the Colonial Government purchased the land and erected a Drill Shed to house the local militia. The field adjoining the building became known as the Drill Shed Square until 1889 when the townspeople were given permission by the Canadian Government (PEI having joined Canada in 1873) to use the land as a Public Garden. The Drill Shed was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1906. In 1908, the Town of Summerside bought the property and three years later named it Dominion Square.

In 1920, two captured German field guns were placed in the square. These reminders of war set the tone for the erection in 1922 of a large memorial to commemorate Prince County men who lost their lives in the Great War. A granite stone was placed in front of the original monument in 1956 to record the names of those who died in the Second World War and the Korean War. In 2000, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Memorial was erected in the square.

A rejuvenation of the park was carried out between 2002 and 2004, with an emphasis on improving the area around the Soldiers’ Monument. Memorial Square is valued as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Islanders during past conflicts. For more information on Memorial Square visit Canada's Historic Places.

Bannerman Park was dedicated St. John's "Peace Park" as part of Canada's 125th Birthday in 1992.

"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."

The Gander Heritage Memorial Park was designed as a place of quiet thought and contemplation with various monuments reflecting the aviation and military history of the community. The walkways are laid out to mimic the runways at Gander Airport during the Second World War.

Included in the park: Sergeant Gander and his handler Memorial, Queens Own Rifles Memorial, Ferry Command Memorial, Memorial Wall of the 125th and Winged Victory.

The 1.85 acre Peacekeepers Park is located in Garrison Green, the redeveloped Lincoln Park. This land was formerly part of Canadian Forces Base Calgary and, during the Second World War, was an airfield for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the base closed in 1998, the Canada Lands Company was tasked with redeveloping the land.

Peacekeepers Park features a Peacekeeper Statue, a Wall of Honour that pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the service of peace and a Missions Wall. The park was completed in 2004. The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, Calgary chapter provided guidance and input for the park and statue designs.  

Thirteen streets in Garrison Green are named after Canadian Peacekeepers of varying ranks and service time frames: Mike Ralph Way, Johnson Place, Angle Street, Couture Crescent, Forand Street, McLean Avenue, Tom Hoppe Mews, Lewis MacKenzie Place, Henwood Street, Joseph Marquis Crescent, John Gardham Avenue, Don Ethell Boulevard and Dallaire Avenue.

This memorial is dedicated to Pierre Le Moyne. It was erected by the City of Montreal.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 115 unveiled its newly renovated cenotaph and surrounding park, now named Place Vimy, on August 17, 2017. 

Place Vimy was dedicated later on August 13, 2018. The twenty-five iron posts lined around the cenotaph were sponsored by people in the community. Each post has an inscription on it, in memory of loved ones. A new Place Vimy sign was erected at a central location in the gardens.

A Vimy Oak was planted on September 28, 2018, with Vaudreuil-Soulanges MP Peter Schiefke attending. On June 18, 2020, a new Vimy Oak was planted. A local area resident was kind enough to pick it up near Dundas, Ontario and deliver it.

The Place Vimy Bench is also located here.

Veterans Park

This park, the Shawville Veterans' Park, was erected by the town of Shawville.