Bruce Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bruce Park |
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Entrance to Bruce Park
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| Location | 1966 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Established | 1936 |
Bruce Park is a 13-acre (53,000 m2) park located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It's a green space in the city, perfect for outdoor fun. The park is found at 1966 Portage Avenue.
The park is surrounded by interesting landmarks. To the south, you'll find the Assiniboine River. Douglas Park Road is to the east, and Deer Lodge Place is to the west. On the north side, it borders Portage Avenue.
Inside the park, you can cross three footbridges over Truro Creek. This creek flows right through the park. Bruce Park also has beautiful flower gardens and natural areas with grass and trees. There's a special path called the A.W. Hanks Walkway. You can also find the Bruce Park Cenotaph, a memorial for soldiers. For younger visitors, there's a playground and a wading pool. The park is open all year round for everyone to enjoy!
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Park History: How Bruce Park Began
Bruce Park is named after a man named Peter Bruce. His family were Metis farmers who first settled on this land in the 1850s. The Métis are a special Indigenous group in Canada.
In 1933, the land where Peter Bruce lived was given to the local government. The gift came with an important rule: the land must always stay a green space for everyone. This is why we have Bruce Park today!
Boy Scouts Plant Trees
In May 1936, four groups of Boy Scouts helped make the park even better. They planted many trees and lilac bushes. These Scouts were from the 7th Anglican, 33rd Soongy Tay Ay, 40th Deer Lodge, and 72nd St. James United troops.
Near the Portage Avenue entrance, there's a plaque. It remembers the great work these Boy Scouts did for the park.
Friends of Bruce Park
In 1992, a group called "Friends of Bruce Park" was formed. Their goal is to help take care of the park. They work to keep it beautiful and safe for everyone.
Bruce Park Cenotaph: A Place to Remember
A cenotaph is a special monument built to honor people. It remembers those who died in wars, even if their bodies are not buried there. The Bruce Park Cenotaph is a very important part of the park.
Original Cenotaph (1936)
The first cenotaph was built in 1936. It was placed in the center of the park. This monument honored the brave men and women from St. James who died in the Great War (World War I). The St. James memorial committee gave this monument to the city on June 30, 1936.
The first cenotaph was very well made. It stood strong for over 50 years! But in the 1980s, cold weather and frost damaged it.
New Cenotaph (1990)
The current cenotaph was built in 1990. It looks exactly like the original one. This new monument was dedicated on September 30, 1990. It honors those who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. It also remembers Canadian peacekeepers who work for peace around the world.
The new cenotaph cost $37,000 to build. This money came from the St. James branch #4 Royal Canadian Legion. They worked with the city of Winnipeg's Parks and Recreation branch to build this important memorial.
