Borden Park
written by dirklancer
on October 7th, 2008
(2 votes)
Most Edmontonians speed past this gem of a park on their way to the Hockey Arena, Football Stadium, or the Horse races without even noticing it there, sitting so serenely in its familiar location for the last 100 years. Since I live only a few blocks from this park it has become a convenient place for me to walk, play with the kids, and snap photo after photo after photo.
First known as the East End City Park, this public park was established in 1906. It was rechristened as Borden Park after Canada’s 8th Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden, visited the city in 1914.
Not a lot of people know that this park was once the site of Edmonton’s first zoo, one of the city’s first ‘co-ed’ public pools, and also a large amusement park, complete with a roller coaster, carousel, and an early ‘Ferris wheel’. There are no signs of the zoo or rides any more, but the outdoor pool is still a popular spot during Edmonton’s short, but very hot, summer. Sometimes I feel like this park is a little anachronism in the middle of the city – there are no vendors selling their wares, no concession stands; just paths, trees, and picnic tables. So peaceful. So simple. So photogenic.
The current buildings were done in the Early Modern Style, and retain some unusual and simple charm for this area. There are also a couple of wading pools, two playgrounds, a band shell, numerous picnic spots, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and a great little fountain that looks almost foreign when drained for the winter.
North of 112th Avenue and between 73rd and 78th Streets and easily accessible by the #2 bus. Come anytime – but my favorite time for photos is when the sun is rising or setting in the fall, and the shadows are getting longer and longer…
If you’re in the area, send me a message, I’ll walk on over and we can swap doubles. :)
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