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

Bruce Park was established in 1929 on land donated to St. James by the Bruce family on the condition that the City maintains its natural setting. We owe the park’s continued existence to a number of devoted individuals including Alfred Hanks, Charles L’Ami and Hubert Valentine Fanshaw, who was also a journalist and engineer. Valentine Fanshaw lived on Lyle St (now Deer Lodge Place) with L’Ami and Fitzgerald. The committee planned and maintained the park-system and we owe the beauty of Bruce Park, Assiniboine Park and Bourkevale Park to the members of this farsighted committee.

St. James was already considered by many to be a refuge from the big city to the east (a.k.a. Winnipeg) and the park remained a part of cottage country until the 1940’s. After the end of WW2, cottages on Douglas Park Road and Deer Lodge Road were replaced with bungalows and two story homes. Subdivisions were created all over the City, such as Silver Heights, Woodhaven etc. Yet, Bruce Park was enhanced by adding trees, walking paths, foot bridges and monuments.

In 1992, the “Friends of Bruce Park” were formed to help preserve and protect the park. The group restored Truro Creek by planting indigenous plants and trees in the park. Although natural beauty surrounds us –this is the work of a dedicated number of individuals, from all walks of life, such as, artists, journalists, and concerned citizens who formed community groups. The “Friends of Bruce Park” has since disbanded, but wouldn’t it be great if a group of concerned citizens in the community formed a group to promote and protect this park?