THE PARKS and RECREATION AREAS of NEWMARKET
One of the best things about the town of Newmarket is its collection of Parks and Green Spaces. Through the generosity of its forefathers, land has been put aside for the enjoyment of the generations to come.
This is a the first installment of our quick listing of the Parks and Green Spaces that are valued parts of the inventory available to Newmarket’s citizens. Enjoy!
ARMITAGE VILLAGE SCHOOL RECREATION AREA
Location: 124 Savage Rd
Features: 10 acres including school and playground
The name commemorates the Amos Armitage family who in 1801 were the very first settlers to live on Yonge St. Their farm on Lot 92 of 200 acres was a land grant on the east side of Yonge St. opposite the Quaker burying ground. Further south on northeast corner of Lot 88, the first of three schoolhouses was built before 1850. The third school on the site was closed in 1969 It was called Union School No.3 Armitage P.O. The term “village” is a misnomer, it was never a village as such, only a post office that was on the west side of Yonge St. directly opposite Savage Rd. on the south edge of the Seba Armitage farm (son of Amos) It was used while the Metropolitan electric railway operated 1899 to 1930. Sir Wm. Mulock arranged it for his convenience as a mailing address for his summer estate. He was Post Master General of Canada from 1895 to 1900 in the Laurier Government.
ART FERGUSON PARK
Location: West side of Bayview Ave. in Wyndham subdivision
Features: 6.2 acres – dedicated 1991
Arthur Ferguson was a sports promoter who gained recognition for the town by being the founder and chairman of the annual Newmarket House League Hockey Tournament with competitors from eight Ontario towns. He died in 1989 at age 61.
BESWICK PARK
Location: Hodson Dr. off Sandford.
Features: 5 acres Soccer field baseball diamonds, bleachers, playground
Dr. Christopher Beswick for many years the only doctor in the area. He was a former British Army doctor who immigrated to the New World and settled in Newmarket in 1811. Reported to have lived 118 years and practiced medicine until he died in March 1839. He lived on the north side of Eagle St. a short distance east of Yonge St. and in his will he left his home and 45 acres to the Church of England which became known as glebe land. The house was destroyed by fire in March 1986
CARDINAL CRESCENT PARKETTE
Location: Off George St.
Features: .62 acre.
Ornithological name given by the subdivider
CHARLES VAN ZANT MEMORIAL PARK
Location: Wayne Dr. at Waratah
Features: 12.5 acres in conjunction with Glen Cedar Public School baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis court and playground
Charles VanZant – councilor 1949 – 1952 He was a popular citizen well known for civic and athletic activities, star baseball player and an accomplished musician with his dance band featuring old time music. President of Newmarket Liberal Association and honorary member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 426. Both Charles and his wife were killed in a tragic motor accident at Ravenshoe sideroad on Dec.18, 1966
COLLEGE MANOR PARK
Location: College Manor Drive
Features: 12 acres
In 1906 when Pickering College was established in Newmarket Albert S. Rogers (a descendant of Timothy Rogers the first settler in the area) purchased 250 acres in Lots 31 and 32 which were original crown grants to John Bogart. 50 acres were set aside for the building of the college and the remainder used for farming. It was a model farm with world-renowned purebred Holsteins that provided an income to support the college. On Nov.24, 1981 a fire destroyed the south wing estimated at $2 million. The fate of the college was in jeopardy so in 1985 it was decided to sell the farm to recover the loss. It was sold to developers who turned it into a massive housing estate in 1991. Predictably the barn on the farm was demolished by fire on Oct.12, 1988 cause unknown. The subdivision is known as College Manor and includes Newmarket High School, Bogart Public School, Salvation Army Citadel and College Manor Park
CROSSLAND RECREATION CENTRE
Location: 255 Brimson Rd.
Features: 6 acres in conjunction with Crossland Public School
In 1948 James Crossland an insurance executive and realtor from Toronto purchased Lot 95W and Lot 94E on Yonge St. from John W. Bowser. In 1951 part of Lot 94E was annexed by the town and he created a small subdivision on the Millard Ave. extension from Lorne Ave. Lot 95W was transferred to his son Ernest who operated it as a farm with purebred Jersey cattle and latterly as a sheep ranch until it was taken over for commercial and housing subdivision by Glenway developers. Ernest retired from farming in 1982 to become a member of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) a position he held until 1991. He founded the North Newmarket Lions Club and an active member of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation. In 1998 “Ernie” was honored by being named the Citizen of the Year
DENNE BUSH
Location: – Bristol Road
Features: 11.5 acres natural woodlot, walking trails
William Denne owned a 150 acre farm on Lot 99 fronting on Yonge St. A large maple woodlot was located at the east end of the lot as customary to supply firewood for cooking and heating the homestead, The bush remained and when Anglo-York developers planned a large subdivision in 1985 to remove it – objection was raised by conservationist and ombudsman Watson Sweezie who appealed to Ontario Municipal Board to save it. He advocated circumventing the bush by Bristol Rd. Finally it was agreed to run the road through a small portion of it leaving the rest intact.
DENNE RECREATION CENTRE
Location: in conjunction with Denne Public School
Features: 10 acres
The Denne name was prominent during the late 19th and early 20th century. Vincent Denne and his son Henry were millers, who operated a gristmill on Huron St. (Davis Dr,) The last surviving member was a daughter of Henry. She was a legend among generations of students in Newmarket noted for her strict discipline as a schoolteacher. She taught for 40 years until retirement in June 1970 and named Citizen of the Year. She was born on Bayview Ave in. Woodlawn Manor, the Denne homestead (now the site of a regional building) and died on Nov.24, 1908 at age 72
DENNIS PARK
Location: Cane Parkway = baseball diamond, soccer field, bleachers and playground equipment
Features: 13 acres
Located on part of the farm on Lot 91E cleared by elder Dennis pioneers who came from Pennsylvania in 1804. A son Brook Dennis was born in 1815 and died in 1894. He had a family of ten children.
Latterly the farm was operated by his grandson Edgar Dennis until it was annexed by the town and sold to developers.
The homestead and barns now demolished were on the north die of Mulock Dr. west of the CNR tracks area known as Pearson’s Crossing.
DREW DOAK MEMORIAL PARK
Location: 11.5 acres
Features: Carlson Dr. soccer field, tennis courts, playground
Drew Doak- accountant and realtor. Councilor 1964-1966 Mayor1957/8. He was a leader in minor sports and president of the Lions Club and active in municipal affairs being the recipient of civic award as Citizen of the Year in 1979. He died Dec.19, 1979 at age 46
EVANSLEA PARK
Location: Off Bray Circle west of Leslie St.
Features: 12.5 acres woodlot with 1.5 acre playground
Elgin Evans was a farmer on west side of Leslie St When his farm was taken over by developers streets Elgin St. and Janette St. were created to recognize both Elgin and his wife Janette. Also a 1-acre plot between the streets was included and named Janette Park. Elgin died in 1974 and Janette in 1979
In late 1960 the United Church acquired the property south of Elgin St.; this was 15 acres adjoining a bush lot. A long controversy ensured which lasted for 20 years before being resolved. The church officials wanted to erect apartments for subsidized low rent housing that was strongly opposed by neighbors and the Town Council. It was finally resolved to use the area for link type housing and create a small circuit named Bray circle. The woodlot was named Evanslea Park because Elgin Evans had donated the subject property to the United Church
FAIRGROUNDS
Location: – between Muriel Ave. and Pine St.
Features: 19 acres baseball diamonds (lighted), bleachers, clubhouse, and washrooms
The oldest area in town set aside for public use it was established in 1865 for the first Agricultural Fair. In 1866 a “Palace” was erected on the south side and a grand stand beside a racetrack. The Queen’s Plate was run here on June 17, 1868.
Through the years it has had a colorful career for parades, circuses, festive occasions and a great variety of public gatherings. During World War ll. From 1940 to 1945 it was used as the parade ground for No.29 Canadian Army Military Camp. Muriel Ave. that was a part of the camp was opened by the town in 1951 and forms the east boundary of the present park. A large drill hall was located in the centre part of the old racetrack until it was torn down in 1960. Baseball and softball have always been the main sports activity on the fairgrounds. In 1951 the first floodlights were installed and again in 1977. During Newmarket’s Centennial Year it was the site for thousands of people to watch spectacular events – Highland Games, RCMP musical rides, circus, soccer and baseball games Major renovations were made in 1983 for further floodlighting and adding washrooms and dressing rooms. It was the only playground facility (except for schoolyards) until 1937 when the Lions Club Park was inaugurated.
• CURLING CLUB
The Drill Hall for the military camp built in 1941 was purchased in 1956 by the curling club headed by “Tiny” Cathers M.P, P, its first president and called the York Curling Club This huge building was converted to a curling rink and used until it was torn down in 1960. A new curling arena was then built adjacent to the site on the north edge of the grounds and is still used for the intended purpose.
