Georgetown, Prince Edward Island

Public Space

Introduction
The AA Macdonald Memorial Gardens is the largest municipally owned gardens of its kind in the Province of Prince Edward Island. In it you will find beautiful memorial beds and plaques, the largest moving shipswheel in Canada, lighted fountain and pond, trellis system, the Town’s outdoor cenotaph, historical display boards, lighted walking paths, benches and waste receptacles.

Events and Festivals
If weather permits, National Aboriginal Day June 21st and Multicultural Day June 27th. Every year we host Canada Day activities in the AA Macdonald Gardens including cake and children’s face-painting and live band on July 1st in the afternoon. Summer Days Strawberry Social usually the 3rd week of July – in 2015 it will take place July 17-19th. Cloggeroo Music Festival usually 3rd week of August – in 2015 it will be August 14 – 16th.

History
This public space holds both historical and heritage value. The AA Macdonald Memorial Gardens are located in the center of the Town’s square. They were named after Andrew Archibald Macdonald (or A.A. as he is more familiarly called). A.A. Macdonald was Georgetown’s Father of Confederation. He was born in Three Rivers (Brudenell Point) on February 14, 1829. He represented Georgetown in the House of Assembly. He was second Kings’ member in the first legislature (1863). At the age of 55 A.A. became Lt. Governor, remaining in that position until his appointment to the senate in 1889. Andrew Archibald Macdonald died in 1912 in Ottawa at the age of 83. His body was brought by ship to Georgetown for burial in the Roman Catholic Cemetery. In 1967 the citizens of Georgetown named the east side square of the town “The A.A. Macdonald Park”. In 1993 when work began on the new gardens, the park was renamed “The A.A. Macdonald Memorial Gardens”.

Development
The Town of Georgetown has been increasingly expanding the AA Macdonald Memorial Gardens since ground broke in 1993. Over the past 5 years, the Town has added a settlement pond, named the “Breedon Memorial Fountain and Pond”, newly lit pathways, the 2012 Centennial Ships Wheel, and expanded the beds.

Accessibility
The AA Macdonald Memorial Gardens can be accessed on Kent Street, Glenelg Street and Grafton Street. There is ample parking at the Grafton Street entrance, it is shared with the King’s Playhouse parking area. There are lit walking paths for day and night accessibility in the Gardens. The trails have wheel chair accessibility.

Demographics
Memorial Garden Plaques; Garden Beds; Benches; Trellis System; Lit Walking Paths; Gigantic Ships Wheel; Lit fountain pond – all of these elements may be of interest to children, adults and seniors.

Additional Comments
The AA Garden’s Memorial Beds are quite impressive, even more so every year and are generally staffed by only 2 – 4 people per year.

References

www.georgetown.ca