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Victoria_Park_Re port Final.pdf - City of Charlottetown

Victoria_Park_Re port Final.pdf - City of Charlottetown

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VICTORIA PARK COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN<br />

<strong>Final</strong> <strong>Re</strong><strong>port</strong> • June 2013<br />

Waterfront<br />

The waterfront zone is presently defined by the presence <strong>of</strong> the boardwalk. As the<br />

most popular facility in the park, it faces some <strong>of</strong> the most challenging long-term<br />

decisions, including the need to upgrade and / or protect it from climate change. Most<br />

<strong>of</strong> the management decisions for the waterfront zone relate to physical investment, and<br />

additional detail may be found in subsequent chapters <strong>of</strong> this document.<br />

Heritage & Culture<br />

<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Park</strong> is one <strong>of</strong> the oldest civic parks in Canada, and its history is intrinsically<br />

linked to the history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Charlottetown</strong>. Gifted to the citizens <strong>of</strong> Prince Edward Island<br />

by Governor William Robinson on June 14, 1873, <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Park</strong> is figuratively and quite<br />

literally at the centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>Charlottetown</strong>’s open space system. In light <strong>of</strong> its historic<br />

significant and regional prominence, the <strong>City</strong> should move forward with making an<br />

application for designation as a national historic site.<br />

The process for designation is fairly straightforward, although it can take a minimum<br />

<strong>of</strong> two years for final Ministerial approval. The application can be made by <strong>City</strong> staff<br />

or by a member <strong>of</strong> the general public, with the land owner’s (the Province’s consent).<br />

Other sup<strong>port</strong>ing information that will be required for such an application includes the<br />

legal boundary <strong>of</strong> the site, information on the site components and conditions, and<br />

documentation on the historic value <strong>of</strong> the site. Once designated, the park would have<br />

access to some funding to sup<strong>port</strong> ongoing conservation and maintenance work specific<br />

to the site’s heritage.<br />

Fort Edward<br />

Fort Edward is an im<strong>port</strong>ant historic site in the park, and a valuable asset to be<br />

maintained and managed. Over time, the present site interpretation should be<br />

expanded, perhaps as part <strong>of</strong> an overall interpretive strategy for <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Park</strong>.<br />

Although the public has mixed feelings about the look-<strong>of</strong>f, it provides a wonderful<br />

op<strong>port</strong>unity to enjoy scenic views <strong>of</strong> <strong>Charlottetown</strong>, the Harbour, and across to Fort<br />

Amherst / Port - la - Joye, and the park itself. Perhaps over time, this structure could<br />

be replaced with a waterfront look-<strong>of</strong>f that serves a similar function.<br />

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