1915-06-14st

Even though the beautiful property on the north shore overlooking the bay was far outside Hamilton’s 1915 city limits, the Hamilton Parks board had purchased the land. It was anticipated that Hamilton’s continued growth would expand the city limits completely around the bay and the property would no longer be within East Flamboro Township but within the city proper.

On June 13, 1915, George Wild, the chairman of the works committee of the Hamilton Parks board, invited a representative of the Hamilton Spectator to tour the property, and see the improvements which had recently been made there.

Soon to be opened officially as Wabassa Park, the property had an area of about 55 acres, most of it well-wooded with fine elms and maples.

There were a host of improvements made to the property by June 1915, all done with the goal of making Wabassa Park one of Hamilton’s most attractive beauty spots and a location which large numbers of citizens would use for recreational pursuits:

“Adjacent to the park proper and surrounded by large trees, which afford protection from wind and sun, is a well-arranged five acre athletic field, while, separated from this, also by a row of giant trees, is another but smaller athletic grounds, which has been designed for softball and children’s games.

“In the park itself are convenient tables and benches for the accommodation of picnic parties, a large and well-managed refreshment stand, a spacious pavilion in the course of erection, a checking booth and swings for the little folks, to the number of forty.”¹

¹ “Wabassa Park in Fine Shape : Many Improvements on the North Shore Beauty Spot.”

Hamilton Spectator.     June 14, 1915.

As the reporter was shown around the park, he was told that many more improvements were planned for both the short term and long term.

In the short term, a merry-go-round was to be added to the park’s amenities. In the long term, the parks board planned to develop a full scale nursey on the property from which it was planned to grow floral additions to beautify the grounds as well as to grow trees to replace those on the property that might die or need to be removed.

Another longer term goal was to clear a large portion of the shoreline into a protected place for bathing.

New docks, constructed of stone and cement, were almost completed by June 1915, but the old dock was still in heavy use:

“Hundreds of Hamilton citizens are taking advantage of the new park, and the hourly ferry service across the bay.

“From early morning until late in the afternoon yesterday, the ferry was kept busy carrying men, women and children to Wabassa park, and in anticipation of increasing crowds, another ferry will be provided so as to ensure a satisfactory service.”¹

The Spectator reporter completed his article by the following invitation to the readers of the Great Family Journal :

“Those who do not travel to the park by the regular ferry service will find it a most delightful drive to Wabassa along the Waterdown road and then along the main entrance road to the park.”¹

Photo courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library