Victoria_Park_Re port Final.pdf - City of Charlottetown

VICTORIA PARK COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
Final Report • June 2013
Study Purpose & Objectives
Victoria Park is a 40 acre Provincially-owned plot of land located at the southern tip
of the City of Charlottetown. This site, in addition to being one of the Island’s most
high-profile open spaces, is also adjacent to Government House, home to Prince
Edward Island’s (PEI) Lieutenant Governor, and is within walking distance of the historic
downtown and waterfront. Since its dedication in 1873, the park has undergone
significant change, moving from a more traditional Victorian-era public space to a
modern urban park. The present configuration of Victoria Park integrates a mixture of
both passive and active uses within the historic fabric that both Government House and
Fort Edward provide, and services a broad demographic of users.
In the coming years, Victoria Park will continue to evolve, undertaking a range of
renewal and redevelopment projects that will be required to meet the ongoing needs
of the Community, while maintaining a necessary emphasis and acknowledgment of
the past. As opposed to preserving the park exactly as it exists, this comprehensive
plan must outline a future direction and program that addresses the present and future
needs of the City of Charlottetown, while protecting those aspects of the park’s heritage
that are most significant. As such, it is essential that the plan be reflective of the needs
and input of the community members, as they are the most qualified to speak to the
relevant and integral values of the park.
There are some fundamental objectives that must be addressed by this master plan
in order to ensure the relevancy and applicability of the proposed direction. These
include:
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Reviewing the potential for a heritage designation for the Park.
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Striving for balance between active and passive park uses.
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Focusing park operations on ecological sustainability in an urban context.
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Addressing current and future park uses that meet the evolving needs of the Community.
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Integrating and expanding upon opportunities for active transportation and trail connectivity.
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Considering all aspects of accessibility, including mobility restrictions and aging populations.
This study hopes to bring together a diverse group of vested community members
with the unified intent of protecting and enhancing this valuable community asset. By
addressing these fundamental objectives, this comprehensive plan will outline a broad
and cohesive vision for the future of the park, maintaining and protecting its status as
the Crown Jewel of Charlottetown, and proposing a strategy for moving forward.
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