Parks

Valour Park features small, engineered bridges reminiscent of the ones Canadian Veterans would have used to cross bodies of water during ground warfare.

Memorial Park Library is a classically-inspired, early 20^th century, two-storey sandstone building located on 1.93 hectares in Central Memorial Park in downtown Calgary. An east-facing portico, set a top a series of granite steps, is adorned with iconic columns and a skillfully-carved pediment, creating a dignified entry into the library. The building is topped with a low-hipped roof, and expertly executed decoration. The park on which the library sits contains several objects, including:

• An equestrian statue, added in 1914; The Horseman of the Plains, commemorating the South African War, located in the centre of the park’s oval.
• First World War Memorial, added in 1924, located at the east end of the park in front of the library.
• Cenotaph and accompanying benches, added in 1928, located at the west end of the park.
• Federal Geodetic Survey marker, added in 1928, located at the east end of the park’s oval.
• Water fountain commemorating the 50^th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, added in 1930.
• Eternal flame memorial located to the east of the cenotaph, added 1967.
• Royal Canadian Legion Commemorative Medallion, located to the West of the cenotaph, added 1994.
• Second World War memorial, Burma Star, located near the cenotaph, added in 1996.
• Memorial to the Australian and New Zealand armed forces located near the cenotaph, added in 2004.

Dedicated a Peace Park on 4 June 1993, this memorial is marked by a fieldstone cairn erected by Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 249. It is dedicated to Canada's war dead.

Located between the Broadway Bridge and the 25th Street Bridge and surrounding Delta Bessborough Hotel, beautiful Kiwanis Memorial Park is recognized as one of the finest urban parks in Canada. Designated Kiwanis Memorial Park by motion of City Council on April 1, 1946, it has an interesting and unique history. From 1907 to 1912, ashes from a local power plant were hauled to this area and local contractors were encouraged to dispose of their excess fill there from the time of Saskatoon’s first building boom in 1911 until the Thirties. In 1935, using funds from the CNR as part of an agreement for the creation of the Bessborough Hotel, the dumpsite was transformed into the park site. It was levelled and improved with grass, trees and shrubs throughout the Thirties, including a tree planted in 1938 near the 20th Street entrance to commemorate the contribution of Mr. Argue, a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Parks Board. The City of Saskatoon and Meewasin Valley Authority have continued to improve Kiwanis Memorial Park by constructing a promenade along Spadina Crescent between the University Bridge and the Broadway Bridge. Memorial Park attractions to enjoy along this prairie Path of History include: 1. The Northwest Rebellion (1885) [statue] 2. The South African (Boer) War (1899-1902) [bench] 3. Vimy Memorial Band Shell 4. The Memorial Fountain of Youth 5. The Korean War (1950-1953) [bench] 6. Thompson Belvedere (pavilion] 7. Ramon John Hnatyshyn Statue 8. Spirit of Youth [structure] 9. Century 100 Capsule 10. Bessborough Hotel 11. Kiwanis Park Gate 12. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Spadina and 20th Street) 13. St. Paul’s Cathedral (720 Spadina Crescent) 14. Knox United Church (838 Spadina Crescent) 15. St. John’s Cathedral (816 Spadina Crescent) Source: Path of History - Kiwanis Memorial Park brochure

Veterans Memorial Park is where people can come and remember loved ones, relatives or friends who paid the supreme sacrifice in the First and Second World Wars. The park is bordered by a chain link fence on three sides and an ornamental steel fence facing the street with a wide gateway. 

The walkway from the street to the memorial is wide enough to walk two abreast and is used for wreath laying ceremonies on November 11. Classes of school children visit the park each year prior to November 11. There are two cement benches for visitors to sit and rest, these were donated by individuals.

This memorial is dedicated to the honoured dead. It was erected by the Royal Canadian Legion and the Town of Carnduff.

Montgomery Park is named in honour of Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery, 1^st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC. It is located in Montgomery Place, an area developed in 1946 to house returning Second World War Veterans and their families. Most streets and parks in the area are named for prominent military members, famous battles, and military units. A duplicate of this plaque is located at the Montgomery Place Memorial.

In 2004, the Montgomery Place Community Association embarked on a project to explain the choice of names for Montgomery Place streets. The research and writing were undertaken by Kevin Gooding who was the Finance Director at the time, with help from President Jim Earle.

The signs were produced at Abe’s Sign Design Group of Saskatoon, with owner Gerry Tunicliffe giving the Association his whole-hearted support. Gerry even offered the Cassino Avenue sign free-of-charge, since his father had fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino. With interest and dedication, Gerry was also a great help to Kevin tracking down photos for the signs.

On September 22, 2007, Kevin, Jim and Vice-President Dave Price, along with Secretary Larry Rempel, Communications Director Gary Berg and resident Don Janzen, rented an auger and then dug, filled, tamped and installed the first 16 signs. Three more signs were installed later.

This park is named in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel Drayton Ernest Walker, DSO, Commanding Officer of the Saskatoon Light Infantry during the Second World War. It is located in Montgomery Place, an area developed in 1946 to house returning Second World War Veterans and their families. Most streets and parks in the area are named for prominent military members, famous battles, and military units. Lieutenant-Colonel D. Walker Park was named by the City of Saskatoon in the mid to late 1960s.

Drayton Walker and his wife Margaret had three sons — Peter, Phil and Teddy. The oldest was nine when their dad headed into the Second World War in 1939. He left behind a wide array of students, kids he educated and coached since taking his first teaching job in Prince Albert in 1922. He was teaching at City Park Collegiate when he left for the war.

Drayton was a former University of Saskatchewan track star, which would prove beneficial overseas. Ten days before Christmas in 1943, a Quebec battalion was pinned down at the town of Casa Berardi, Italy. Drayton commanded a Saskatoon Light Infantry machine-gun support group that rolled in to help during the vicious, eight-day Battle of Ortona. He chose to personally co-ordinate the defensive tasks of his unit, occupied observation posts in the most forward infantry positions, and moved skillfully from post to post under heavy enemy fire. Under his direction, mortars and machine guns engaged the enemy with devastating results. Hit by shrapnel to the knee and hand, he continued to direct the fire of his weapons until the retention of the position was assured. Still on foot, he threaded his way back to brigade headquarters across ground swept by enemy fire and provided crucial information. His actions contributed greatly to the success not just of that operation, but of the ones that soon followed and he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order.

Shortly after Ortona, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and took over the battalion command in January 1945.  In October 1945, he returned home to his family and sealed it with a kiss to his wife, while their three sons stood in the background. His homecoming was photographed and ran on page 5 of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. The boys hadn’t seen their father since he returned to Canada in 1942 for an instructional tour. After the kiss, soldiers paraded through Saskatoon’s downtown with Drayton at the front, leading his troops one last time.

Margaret experienced grievous loss during the war. She’d raised three boys, mostly on her own, in the six years since Drayton left to fight, and she’d also lost a brother. Her brother, William Campbell, was the commanding officer of HMCS Louisburg in 1943 when it was sunk by enemy dive bombers and torpedo planes in the Mediterranean. He received a posthumous citation for saving many lives, due to his prompt action. His bravery cost him his life.

Drayton was the principal at Bedford Road Collegiate starting in 1954, moving over from his job teaching history at Nutana Collegiate, before becoming Mount Royal Collegiate's first principal when it opened in 1960. The school’s motto, “Truth, Honour and Wisdom” was taken from Drayton’s wartime regiment. He later spent three years in France, serving as the principal of the Canadian Armed Services School. Drayton died on November 15, 1975, at the age of 75.

In 2004, the Montgomery Place Community Association embarked on a project to explain the choice of names for Montgomery Place streets. The research and writing were undertaken by Kevin Gooding who was the Finance Director at the time, with help from President Jim Earle.

The signs were produced at Abe’s Sign Design Group of Saskatoon, with owner Gerry Tunicliffe giving the Association his whole-hearted support. Gerry even offered the Cassino Avenue sign free-of-charge, since his father had fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino. With interest and dedication, Gerry was also a great help to Kevin tracking down photos for the signs.

On September 22, 2007, Kevin, Jim and Vice-President Dave Price, along with Secretary Larry Rempel, Communications Director Gary Berg and resident Don Janzen, rented an auger and then dug, filled, tamped and installed the first 16 signs. Three more signs were installed later.

Xavier “Louie” Gougeon came to Saskatoon in 1881 and returned a few years later with his wife and first child. He was a young man in his late twenties at time.

Gougeon played a role on the steamship at Fish Creek during the Northwest Resistance in 1885. He was a trooper on board the steamer Northcote and was subsequently awarded the North West Canada Medal and Clasp. He came to Saskatoon and acquired on land on the east half of 22-36-6-W3rd. This homestead was just west of present-day Gougeon Park, where 11th Street west meets Highway 7 today. In 1967, to honour Gougeon’s pioneer contribution to Saskatoon, the City of Saskatoon officials named the park south of St. Dominic School – Gougeon Park.

This park is named in honour of Lieutenant-General Guy Granville Simonds, CC, CB, CBE, DSO, CD, Commander II Canadian Corps and Acting Commander First Canadian Army during the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944 and Chief of the General Staff in 1951. It is located in Montgomery Place, an area developed in 1946 to house returning Second World War Veterans and their families. Most streets and parks in the area are named for prominent military members, famous battles, and military units.

In 2004, the Montgomery Place Community Association embarked on a project to explain the choice of names for Montgomery Place streets. The research and writing were undertaken by Kevin Gooding who was the Finance Director at the time, with help from President Jim Earle.

The signs were produced at Abe’s Sign Design Group of Saskatoon, with owner Gerry Tunicliffe giving the Association his whole-hearted support. Gerry even offered the Cassino Avenue sign free-of-charge, since his father had fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino. With interest and dedication, Gerry was also a great help to Kevin tracking down photos for the signs.

On September 22, 2007, Kevin, Jim and Vice-President Dave Price, along with Secretary Larry Rempel, Communications Director Gary Berg and resident Don Janzen, rented an auger and then dug, filled, tamped and installed the first 16 signs. Three more signs were installed later.