Colour postcard showing Memorial Gate (1905) Click the photo for more details.

Waterloo Park has meant many things to many people. Over 125 years later, the park continues to be enjoyed on a daily basis for many uses beyond what’s been written about here. The City of Waterloo is lucky that its past residents had the foresight to invest in a public space so early in its development. Waterloo Park has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the city, and continues to be a welcome green space in the midst of a growing Waterloo. It is Waterloo's "gem"!

End Notes

1. “Waterloo Park turns 125.” Waterloo Region Record, August 12, 2018.
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8815459-waterloo-park-turns-125/

2. “The Waterloo Parks and Picnic Grounds.” Waterloo Historical Society 16 (1928): 43–46. http://www.whs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1928.pdf

3.Ibid

4. “Review of the Work Done to Date.” Waterloo County Chronicle, June 8, 1893.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539183/page/5?q=text%3A%22andrew%20mcintyre%22&docid=OOI.3539183

5. “Flash from the Past: Give credit to visionaries for our parks.” Waterloo Region Record, August 22, 2015.
https://www.therecord.com/living-story/5809888-flash-from-the-past-give-credit-to-visionaries-for-our-parks/

6. “Review of the Work Done to Date.” Waterloo County Chronicle, June 8, 1893.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539183/page/5?q=text%3A%22andrew%20mcintyre%22&docid=OOI.3539183

7. “Flash from the Past: Give credit to visionaries for our parks.” Waterloo Region Record, August 22, 2015.
https://www.therecord.com/living-story/5809888-flash-from-the-past-give-credit-to-visionaries-for-our-parks/

8. “Review of the Work Done to Date.” Waterloo County Chronicle, June 8, 1893.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539183/page/5?q=text%3A%22andrew%20mcintyre%22&docid=OOI.3539183

9. “The Waterloo Park To-Day.” Chronicle-Telegraph, November 29, 1906.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539873/page/5?q=text%3A%22Andrew%20McIntyre%22&docid=OOI.3539873

10. Ibid

11. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

12. “Work on Victorian Gardens set to start at Waterloo Park.” Waterloo Chronicle. August 11, 1999.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3550099/page/3811925?q=victorian+gardens

13. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

14. “Opening of the New Park Pavilion.” Waterloo County Chronicle, June 2, 1898.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539355/page/6?q=(park)&docid=OOI.3539355

15. “Won’t Rent Park Pavilion In Waterloo for Dancing.” Kitchener Daily Record, March 21, 1946.

16. Ibid

17. “Waterloo Park Reservations to Date Number 23.” Kitchener Daily Record. April 20, 1946.

18. “Noise-Makers Irk Waterloo Park Board.” Kitchener Daily Record. July 26, 1945.

19. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

20. "Bandshell fans fearful of a day the concerts may end." Waterloo Region Record, August 25, 2017.
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7521725-bandshell-fans-fearful-of-a-day-the-concerts-may-end/

21."Waterloo May Build Bandshell." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, April 28, 1964.

22. "Bandshell fans fearful of a day the concerts may end." Waterloo Region Record, August 25, 2017.
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7521725-bandshell-fans-fearful-of-a-day-the-concerts-may-end/

23. Mellor, John. Music in the Park. Waterloo: Melco History Series, 1988. Pg. 23

24. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

25. “Tattoo in Waterloo was a Magnificent Success.” Waterloo Chronicle, August 6, 1914.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3540327/page/5?q=(music)&docid=OOI.3540327

26. “Tune of Wrecking Hammers Strikes Chord of Memories.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record, March 1, 1969.

27. Little, Ellis. “Abraham Erb Biography.” Ellis Little Papers, ELP 51.52. (Waterloo Public Library).

28. “Mayor Hilliard advocates that some beginning be made to improve Snide Mill property.” and “Large vote was cast in annual municipal elections in Waterloo.” Chronicle Telegraph, January 11, 1917.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3540422/page/5?q=mill&docid=OOI.3540422

29. McLaughlin, Kenneth. Waterloo: An Illustrated History 1857-2007. Waterloo: City of Waterloo, 2007.

30. “Improvements at the park.” Chronicle Telegraph, June 20, 1918.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3540506/page/6?q=(park)&docid=OOI.3540506

31. McLaughlin, Kenneth. Waterloo: An Illustrated History 1857-2007. Waterloo: City of Waterloo, 2007.

32. “Lions Club Begin Pool Just as Swimming Banned in Silver Lake.” Waterloo Chronicle, June 9, 1950.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3546321/page/2?q=pool&docid=OOI.3546321

33. “Waterloo Swim Pool Opens; 400 Take Dip.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record, June 18, 1952.

34. “Waterloo splash pad nearing end of life.” CTV News Kitchener. July 5, 2019.
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/waterloo-splash-pad-nearing-end-of-life-1.4495422

35. Little, Ellis. “Silver Lake, Waterloo, Ontario.” Waterloo Historical Society 84 (1997): 100-108.

36. Ibid

37. Ibid

38. “Greatly Enjoy Toboggan Slide.” Waterloo Chronicle, January 14, 1926.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3544796/page/3729105?q=text%3A%28toboggan+OR+waterloo+OR+park%29

39. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

40. Rowell, Marg. Welcome to Waterloo: an illustrated history of Waterloo, Ontario, in celebration of its 125th anniversary, 1857-1982. Waterloo: Waterloo Printing Company, 1982. Pg. 52

41. “Park Race Track Held “Eyesore”.” Waterloo Chronicle. August 26, 1938.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3545543/page/2?q=eyesore&docid=OOI.3545543

42. "The new grandstand...” Waterloo County Chronicle. July 12, 1894.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539253/page/3704035?q=grand+stand

43. Ibid

44. Zavaros, Margaret. “Waterloo Park 1890-1900.” Waterloo Historical Society 78 (1990): 83-98.

45. “The Beginning.” Waterloo Tennis Club History, Waterlootennis.com
https://www.waterlootennis.com/the-beginning

46. “The Stars defeated…” Chronicle Telegraph. June 26, 1902.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539631/page/14?q=(stars)&docid=OOI.3539631

47. “Hornostaj goes to bat for Waterloo Park diamonds.” Waterloo Chronicle, February 20, 2018.
https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/8143590-hornostaj-goes-to-bat-for-waterloo-park-diamonds/

48. “Strike out.” Waterloo Chronicle, June 22, 2017.

49. “Commemorative Cairn to List Council Members.” Waterloo Chronicle, May 23, 1957.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3546673/page/2?q=cairn&docid=OOI.3546673

50. “Waterloo Centennial Cairn.” Waterloo Chronicle, June 6, 1957.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3546675/page/21?q=cairn&docid=OOI.3546675

51. “Centennial Committee Has Plan to Bring Back “Reunion” Idea.” Waterloo Chronicle, April 25, 1957.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3546669/page/2

52. “The Queen’s Gate.” Chronicle Telegraph, February 14, 1901.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539555/page/3706819?q=Waterloo+park

53. “Modern Approach.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record, April 8, 1957

54. “City artifacts purchased from Wellesley resident.” Waterloo Chronicle, October 19, 1994.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3549758/page/3802484?q=gate

55. “Park gates to get face life.” Waterloo Chronicle, May 20, 1998.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3550009/page/3809748?q=waterloo+park+gate

56. “Early Villagers and Village Life.” Waterloo Historical Society 16 (1928) pg. 57

57. “The two huge cannon…” Waterloo County Chronicle, June 20, 1895.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3539304/page/3704530?q=waterloo+park+cannon

58. “Cannon has deadly past.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record, July 17, 1990.

59. “Waterloo Zoo Fine Attraction.” Waterloo Chronicle, May 27, 1964.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547024/page/3753620?q=text%3A%28zoo%29

60. “Will Continue Wildlife Display Project –Waterloo Park .” Waterloo Chronicle, November 4, 1964.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547046/page/3753837?q=text%3A%28wildlife+OR+display%29

61. “European Zoo Visit Convinces Ald. Lion’s Wildlife Display Worthwhile.” Waterloo Chronicle, June 16, 1965.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547076/page/3754261?q=text%3A%28zoo%29

62. “To Identify Deer By Name.” Waterloo Chronicle, April 21, 1965.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547068/page/3754145?q=text%3A%28wildlife+OR+display%29

63. “Lew’s Views.” Waterloo Chronicle, May 3, 1967.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547173/page/5?q=text:(text:(text:(wildlife%20OR%20display)))&docid=OOI.3547173

64. “Bless the beasts.” Waterloo Chronicle, November 21, 1979.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547825/page/7?q=zoo&docid=OOI.3547825

65. “Council votes to revamp zoo.” Waterloo Chronicle, January 9, 1980.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547832/page/4

66. “Waterloo Park’s animal farm has evolved over the years.” Waterloo Chronicle, April 17, 2018.
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8401116-waterloo-park-s-animal-farm-has-evolved-over-the-years/

67. “Opinions are split on fate of 149-year-old schoolhouse.” Waterloo Chronicle, April 24, 1969.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547276/page/3757282?q=waterloo+park+First+school

68. Rowell, Marg. Welcome to Waterloo: an illustrated history of Waterloo, Ontario, in celebration of its 125th anniversary, 1857-1982. Waterloo: Waterloo Printing Company, 1982. Pg. 52

69. “Opinions are split on fate of 149-year-old schoolhouse.” Waterloo Chronicle, April 24, 1969.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547276/page/3757282?q=waterloo+park+First+school

70. “Renovated log school open.” Waterloo Chronicle, June 7, 1972.
http://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/3547439/page/3760066?q=log+schoolhouse

71. “New grist for historical ledger.” The Record. April 3, 1998.