Victoria Park, Regina
Encyclopedia
Victoria Park is a public park in the centre of downtown Regina
. The city's founders set aside a plot of land right in the centre of town and named it Victoria Square. It was supposed to serve as a green space, part of an effort to make Regina a more attractive destination for settlers. However, the town twice offered this parcel to developers (both offers were rejected), and no landscaping efforts were made there until the start of the twentieth century.
In 1907, the City of Regina hired landscape architect Frederick Todd
to design a plan for Victoria Square, later known as Victoria Park. Todd was also the designer of the formal garden at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building
. His sketch envisioned a spoke-like series of paths all leading to a central focal point. That focal point was, at first, Davin Fountain (dedicated to the founder of the Regina Leader-Post
and local MP, Nicholas Flood Davin
). In 1926, Davin Fountain was removed and the current Cenotaph
took its place. Today the park contains a small playground, numerous benches, mature trees and gardens. Each summer it plays host to a number of functions, including the Regina Folk Festival
.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
. The city's founders set aside a plot of land right in the centre of town and named it Victoria Square. It was supposed to serve as a green space, part of an effort to make Regina a more attractive destination for settlers. However, the town twice offered this parcel to developers (both offers were rejected), and no landscaping efforts were made there until the start of the twentieth century.
Frederick Todd
Frederick Gage Todd was the first resident landscape architect in Canada. For the majority of his life he was one of a small group committed to the art and practice of structuring urban growth in the first half of the century. His projects ranged from Vancouver, B.C...
to design a plan for Victoria Square, later known as Victoria Park. Todd was also the designer of the formal garden at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building
Saskatchewan Legislative Building
The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and houses the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.-History:...
. His sketch envisioned a spoke-like series of paths all leading to a central focal point. That focal point was, at first, Davin Fountain (dedicated to the founder of the Regina Leader-Post
Regina Leader-Post
The Regina Leader-Post is the daily newspaper of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and now a member of the Postmedia Network.The newspaper was first published as The Leader in 1883, by Nicholas Flood Davin...
and local MP, Nicholas Flood Davin
Nicholas Flood Davin
Nicholas Flood Davin Nicholas Flood Davin was a lawyer, journalist and politician, born at Kilfinane, Ireland. The first MP for Assiniboia West , Davin was known as the voice of the North-West....
). In 1926, Davin Fountain was removed and the current Cenotaph
Cenotaph, Regina
The Cenotaph, in Regina, Saskatchewan, was built in honour Regina's fallen heroes of World War I. In 1925, a design competition was held for the construction of the Cenotaph....
took its place. Today the park contains a small playground, numerous benches, mature trees and gardens. Each summer it plays host to a number of functions, including the Regina Folk Festival
Regina Folk Festival
The Regina Folk Festival is an annual folk music festival held in Victoria Park in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Occurring the second weekend in August, the festival is a three-day annual event that attracts around 20,000 people and over 500 volunteers. It is Western Canada's longest-running music...
.