Take a walk in Bruce Park and learn the history of the park’s landmarks.

Lionel LeMoine Fitzgerald was born in Winnipeg, on Elgin Avenue and attended Norway, Somerset and Victoria Albert Schools. Fitzgerald is a painter whose early work focused on the urban and rural landscapes along the Assiniboine River. He was the principal of the Winnipeg School of Art and a member of the Group of Seven! Fitzgerald is known primarily for his paintings of houses and landscapes in the neighborhood.

Established in 1959, Fitzgerald’s Walk commemorates Lionel LeMoine Fitzgerald’s inspiration for many of his finest paintings. This is the unpaved back lane where Fitzgerald painted some of his most famous pieces.

As one walks down the lane, we can imagine Fitzgerald walking along with easel in hand looking for backyards to paint and chatting with neighbors and friends. In fact, during the cold winter months, he was known to paint in a covered sleigh! (Equipped with a stove and a double pane glass…still, he was a ‘die-hard’.)

One piece that was inspired by this lane is “Doc Snyder’s House on Lyle Street” (now called Deer Lodge Place). Fitzgerald lived at 30 Deer Lodge Place making Doc Snyder his neighbor. Fitzgerald spent 2 years painting “Doc Snyder’s House”, he completed it in 1931. That painting is one of his most famous. It is presently on display at the National Gallery in Ottawa.

Another piece inspired by this lane now hangs in the St. James Library. The house in the painting was owned by Charles L’Ami and (Christina) Pearl Driscoll. She was a member of the St. James Public Library Board from 1955-1970. I imagine that Fitzgerald noticed the backyard during one of his daily strolls down back lanes and was inspired by the hanging carpet and painted the scene. Much to Mrs. Driscoll’s chagrin, her laundry is now commemorated forever in the library that she helped to establish. The painting was donated to the library by his son, Edward, to celebrate its opening in 1958.

Charles L’Ami was the one who lobbied the City to establish the walk, which opened to great fanfare. He also tried, unsuccessfully, to establish a museum in Fitzgerald’s vacant house (#30 is now a private residence).

Fitzgerald’s work may also be seen at Assiniboine School (175 Winston).