Central Park (Winnipeg) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Central Park
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Neighbourhood
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Location of Central Park within Winnipeg
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Manitoba |
| City | Winnipeg |
| Area | |
| • Land | 0.2 km2 (0.08 sq mi) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 3,775 |
| • Density | 16,221.9/km2 (42,015/sq mi) |
| Locations Type | Location |
| • Neighbourhood Cluster | Downtown East |
| • Community Area | Downtown |
| • Police District | District 1 |
| • City Council Ward | Daniel McIntyre |
Central Park is a big park right in the middle of Downtown Winnipeg. It's also the name of the neighbourhood around it. This area is bordered by Notre Dame Avenue to the north, Ellice Avenue to the south, Donald Street to the east, and Balmoral Street to the west. You can walk to almost anywhere in the neighbourhood within eight minutes!
Central Park is known for its diverse community. Many people from different backgrounds live here, including a large number of Black Canadians, especially immigrants and refugees from Africa. In fact, many refugees who come to Winnipeg choose to live in and around the Central Park area. It's one of Winnipeg's busiest neighbourhoods, with lots of people living close together.
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A Lively Community and Culture
Central Park is a very diverse neighbourhood. You'll find people from many different backgrounds here, including large Filipino, African, and Indigenous populations.
Because more and more people from Africa are moving here, the area has changed a lot. It now has a strong sense of community and a rich culture. For example, the Central Market for Global Families is a summer outdoor market. It sells cool handmade and imported African clothes, beautiful beadwork, crafts, and art. You can also buy fresh, local produce there.
During warm Friday nights in the summer, you can often hear live music and performances in Central Park. These events are a big part of the Saturday markets too. The park also hosts special events that bring hundreds of people together. These include celebrations for World Refugee Day in June and other community awareness days.
Who Lives in Central Park?
In 2016, about 3,775 people lived in Central Park. It's a busy place, with many people living in a small area.
Central Park is home to a mix of people. About 17.9% of residents identify as Indigenous. A large number of people are also from other visible minority groups (66.2%). The biggest groups are Black people (28.2%) and Filipino people (22.5%). Many people living in Central Park are new to Canada. In 2016, about 32.9% of the people living here were not Canadian citizens. This is higher than the average for Winnipeg as a whole.
Cool Buildings and Landmarks
The buildings around Central Park show off many different styles. You'll find shops, services, and important community buildings side-by-side. Places like the YMCA building, Knox United Church, and Calvary Temple are important for families and seniors.
Other well-known buildings include The International Centre and Welcome Place, which help newcomers settle in. You can also find Edohei, which was Manitoba's very first sushi restaurant!
The Park's Story
Central Park was one of the first four parks in Winnipeg. Back then, they called them "ornamented squares and breathing areas." The city bought the land for the park in 1893 for $20,000.
When they first got the land, it was quite swampy and hard to use. So, thousands of loads of soil and manure were brought in. This helped create the beautiful, lush lawns and gardens you see today.
Over the years, more things were added to the park.
- In 1905, a bandstand and two tennis courts were built.
- An iron fence and a drinking fountain were added in 1909.
- The famous Waddell Fountain arrived in 1914.
- Playground equipment was put in for kids in 1936.
- Restrooms were added in 1959.
In 1985, the city closed off a part of Qu'Appelle Street to make the park bigger, extending it to Ellice Avenue. This made the park 4.8 acres in size.
The park got a big makeover between 2008 and 2012. The new design was so good that it won an award in 2015!
The Waddell Fountain
The Waddell Fountain in Central Park is a special landmark. It's a rare example of the High Victorian Gothic style in Manitoba. This style was inspired by the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, Scotland, which honors the poet Sir Walter Scott.
The fountain was built to remember Emily Margaret Waddell, who passed away in 1908. Her will, found in 1911, said that if her husband, Thomas Waddell, remarried, $10,000 should be used for a public fountain in Central Park. Thomas Waddell did remarry, and he raised the money in 1914. He chose a design by local architect John Manuel. Manuel also designed buildings at the University of Manitoba.
The fountain was finished in 1914 and cost almost $10,000. It was made of white stone on a granite base, with a concrete basement for the water pump.
In 1988, the fountain was declared an historical site. By 1992, it needed a lot of repairs. So, in 2010, the fountain was taken apart and fixed up. This restoration project also won an award for preserving history!
Fun Things to Do in the Park
Besides the historic Waddell Fountain, Central Park has lots of other cool features for everyone to enjoy:
- A slide and toboggan hill that can be used all year round.
- A fun sand and water play area where you can get creative.
- A big open area with artificial turf, perfect for games.
- A wading pool and a splash pad for cooling off on hot days.
