A trip back in time at La Fontaine Park

As Montrealers pause to consider the future of the park at the heart of the Plateau Mont Royal, we look at La Fontaine Park's transformation from a patch of farm land to one of the city's most beloved jewels.

The parkgot itsname fromLouis-HippolyteLaFontaine, the politician andformer chief justice of Lower Canada wholived not far from thegreenspace.

At the turn of the 20th century, the entire neighbourhood was named in his honour.

However, the park's origins date back further than that.

Originally farm land, the area now known as Parc La Fontaine was giftedto the governing authority of LowerCanada in 1845by James Logan to use as training space for British soldiers.

Thirtyyears later, when the Cityof Montrealstarted looking for green spaces to transform into public parks, itobtainedthe land and created Logan Park.

At the time, it was more than just an aesthetic desire fuelling the creation.

"It was an industrial time, sothere was a lot of smoke and issues with the air," saidDaniel Lauzon, alandscape architect with the city's parks and recreation department.

"People didn't have open space. The only placeavailable was a bit of Mont Royal, but nothing like we have today, so they developed ParcLafontaineas an outdoor space to promote public health."

The space was developed during the"City Beautiful" urban development movement, thesame era that saw the development of Mont Royal Park andle Sainte-Hlne.

In1900, at the height of the romantic period,two lakes were created in the centre of the space, separated by a small waterfall and a bridge dubbed "Lover's Point."

According to Montreal's heritage council, there was a reserved laneforcalchestocirclethe park, to give their young love-bird passengers a glimpse of the water feature.

In the 1930s, more landscaping elements were added to the park, and some notable buildings were erected, including the first restaurant, public washrooms and greenhouses.

A small zoo also opened in the park, but the conditions were so abysmal that the space was transformed under the city's first parks directorClaude Robillardin the 1950s to createthe Jardin des Merveilles.

An integral part of the childhood memories of many Montrealers, the fairy-tale theme park designed for children integrated live animals and play spaces.

City workers built the whimsical structures, and thousands of visitors passed through each season.

The animals were cared for by a man who became forever linked to the park, Oncle Pierre.

It included small animals such asrabbits and turtles, but also an infamous elephant named either Babar or Toutune, depending on who you ask.

One of the most memorable animals in the park wasn't one that needed much care. The sculpturedwhale, which visitors could climb inside to see a tank of fish, is still one of thefeatures of the park Montrealers recall first when quizzed.

Throwback: Jardin des Merveilles

9 years ago

Duration 0:49

Take a tour of the famous children's park with CBC circa 1982.

By the 1960s, the park had evolved to include a wintertime light display and an ice palace.

JardindesMerveilles was eventually closed down in 1989, and the animals were transferred to other zoos in the area.

Over the years, there havebeen other changes:Buildings fell to age or fire and were replaced with more sturdy structures.

Monuments and statues in the park weremoved aroundas the way the space was used changed.

"The park is always transforming," saidLauzon. "Depending on the needs, depending on the priorities of the city and trends in planning. For its entire existence, it's been changing."

"Now, we're asking the question, 'Where are we going?'"

• What should the Parc La Fontaine of the future look like?