Jeanne-Mance Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeanne Mance Park |
|
|---|---|
| Parc Jeanne-Mance | |
Jeanne Mance Park, with Mount Royal in the background
|
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Area | 14 hectares (35 acres) |
| Operated by | City of Montreal |
| Open | 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. |
| Status | Open all year |
| Public transit access |  STM Bus: 11, 80, 97, 125, 144, 480 |
Jeanne Mance Park (French: Parc Jeanne-Mance) is a well-known urban park in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is located in the Plateau Mont-Royal area. The park sits along Park Avenue, right across from Mount Royal. It is also just south of Mount Royal Avenue.
The park is named after Jeanne Mance, who was one of the people who helped start the city of Montreal. It covers a large area of 14 hectares (about 35 acres). This makes it one of Montreal's biggest parks. It's a popular place for people of all ages to visit and enjoy outdoor activities.
Contents
A Look Back: The Park's History
From Fletcher's Field to Jeanne Mance Park
Before it was called Jeanne Mance Park, this green space was known as Fletcher's Field. People say it was named after a person named Fletcher. This person lived near the park and used to let their cows graze there.
The park's story began in the late 1800s. At that time, the city was planning Mount Royal Park. Montreal bought land on Mount Royal, stretching down to Esplanade Avenue.
The Crystal Palace and Early Uses
In 1878, a building called the Crystal Palace was moved to Fletcher's Field. This large structure was later destroyed by a fire in July 1896.
Fletcher's Field was also used for other important activities. It served as a place for military parades. During World War I, soldiers even trained there. Many sports teams also used the field. This included the Montreal Lacrosse Club and the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Young people's lacrosse and football clubs played there too.
Renaming the Park
In September 1910, there was a push to rename the park. This idea came during the Montreal Eucharistic Congress. People wanted to honor Jeanne Mance, who founded the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal hospital.
The city of Montreal officially changed the park's name to Jeanne Mance Park in 1990. Today, the entrance plaza of Jeanne Mance Park, across from the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument, is still called Place Fletcher's Field. This name helps us remember the park's past.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Jeanne Mance Park offers many cool features for everyone to enjoy.
- There are fun playgrounds for kids to play on.
- You can find a softball field, perfect for a game.
- The park has tennis courts that even have lights for playing at night.
- There's a soccer/football field with a special artificial turf.
- In the summer, kids can cool off in a children's swimming pool.
- When winter arrives, the park turns into an outdoor skating rink!
Special Features to See
- You can find an Art Deco style drinking fountain at the corner of Mount Royal Avenue and Park Avenue. It has a special message honoring Louis Rubenstein. He was a famous Canadian athlete and figure skater.
- There are also public washrooms located under Place Fletcher's Field. This area is the plaza across from the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument on Park Avenue.
