“It [Vickers Park] was always a paradise ... but now it has something more. The picture has come to life with the laughter of little children."
Major Features
- Pathways and flower beds, planted in 1911
- Fort William's first playground, built in 1915
- Large iconic wooden gateway, constructed in 1918
- Lighting for the flower beds, first illuminated in 1938
- Washroom and storage building, erected in 1945
- Wading pool, swings, slides, and sandboxes, 1949
- Play equipment update, installed in 1985
Location, Size and Usage
Donated in 1902, Vickers Park is located in Fort William Near Arthur Street and Selkirk Street. It is 10 acres in size and used as a passive park, public park and neighbourhood park.
Land Acquired
Catherine Mary Vickers made a ten acre donation to the town of Fort William on the premise that the "Public Park" or "Garden" be for the "free use and enjoyment" of the inhabitants of the town of Fort William.
The Thunder Bay citizenry may recall a famous condition, that boulders were to be placed in the four corners of the park in a visible and "conspicuous location." These boulders have the names of founders of Fort William inscribed into them: John Joseph Vickers, Catherine Mary Vickers, John McIntyre, and John McKellar.
Historical Highlights:
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In 1902, Catherine Vickers donated ten acres of land to be called "The Vickers Park." This donation was made in the memory of her late husband, John Vickers, and two of Fort William's other founders, John McIntyre and John McKellar.
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One stipulation of the donation was that the park be maintained by the town of Fort William and stay in "an efficient state of repair, and that it never be used as a horse, bike or automobile race track or exhibition or fair ground."
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Upon receiving the donation in 1902, the Town of Fort William stumped, cleared, ploughed, and harrowed a plot of land. However, upon completion, it was realized that the land that was processed was actually ten acres adjacent to that which Catherine Vickers donated. For this reason, Vickers Park was not complete until 1905.
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Pressure from parents and residents in the area encouraged the City of Fort William to develop Vickers as a neighbourhood park and install playground equipment for the children. In 1949, along Selkirk Street, a wading pool, swings, slides, and sandboxes were installed.
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In 1962, the City Traffic Committee recommended burying the John Vickers boulder to allow Arthur Street to be widened. A plaque would be put in its stead. But the Parks Board protested, stating that the boulders must remain in a "conspicuous location" as per the agreement.
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Proposals to build a Tourist Center in 1951 and Great Hall in 1962 in Vickers Park were thwarted. It was stated that the buildings would conflict with the donor's wishes and the citizens' ability to relax and enjoy the park.
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In 1975, a Rock Cairn commemorating Fort William's history was relocated from Heath Park to Vickers Park.
Aerial Photographs of the Vickers Park Area |
These are four aerial photographs of the Vickers Park area. It is noteworthy that the landscaping and pathways have stayed similar over this span of 37 years. Image Title: TB 1959 107 Image Title: TB 1976 L7-137 Image Title: TB 1987 L-10-106-N Image Title: TB 1996 L9-66 |
Vickers Park Deed of Land, 1902 |
Title: Vickers Park - Catherine M. Vickers to the Corporation of the Town of Fort William |
The Vickers Park Boulders |
Title: Phooey on Selkirk! Boulder Must Remain
Title: Parks Board Protests Plan to Bury Boulders |
Vickers Park Tourist Information Centre |
Title: Tourist Centre
Title: Tourist Information Centre Correspondence
Title: Fort William Board of Parks Management Resolution |
Historic Rock Cairn |
Title: Heath Park Monument and Plaque
Title: Relocation of Historic Rock Cairns
Title: Relocation of Rock Cairn |
Description of Fort William Parks, 1947 |
Title: Fort William Board of Parks Management [Review of Parks] |
Vickers Park Technical Drawings |
Title: [Vickers Park] Pathways
Title: Arthur Street and Selkirk Intersection
Title: Fort William Board of Parks Management Resolution |
Report on Vickers Park, 1987 |
Title: Administrative Report Summary - Vickers Park |
Vickers Park Area Architectural Walking Tour |
Title: Walking Tour: Architectural Tour of Vickers Park |
Recreational Activities |
Title: Golly, that water feels good
Title: Pleasant Work [Newspaper Article]
Title: Sessions in the Park
Title: A Mean Paddle [Newspaper Article]
Title: [Daily Times-Journal Collage]
Title: Lord Caitanya's Yoga of Love Festival June 1, 1975
Title: [Request to use a snowmachine at Vickers Park] |
Landscaping |
Title: Vickers Park
Title: [Vickers Park]
Title: City of Thunder Bay - Parks and Recreation - Purchase Order
Title: Letter to the Editor - Compliment
Title: Memo - Pathway Paving VCK 83/11 |
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