The Market Garden Park at 312 Durham Street in downtown Walkerton opened to the public on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 with a celebration from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.. Our donor and heritage interpretive plaques were unveiled during the event, and refreshments were served.
View the Press Release issued on July 12, 2023 regarding the opening of the Market Garden and view the Grand Opening video filmed by Wightman.
| Heritage Plaques |
|
The land that the park sits on, at 312 Durham Street, was once owned by the Wong family, who ran a successful restaurant next door for many decades, in what's now The Guest House. Dan Wong and his family sold the park to the Municipality for the purpose of building a downtown park, generously donating to the cause. His parents were the first Chinese immigrants to settle in Walkerton, and a series of plaques within the Market Garden park tell his family's story. You can hear that story in this video, The History of the Market Garden, created by Wightman Telecommunications as part of the company's contribution to the park.
|
| Project History |
|
The Municipality of Brockton acquired the property located at 312 Durham Street East in Walkerton in early 2020, thanks to a generous donation from the Wong family, who previously owned it and ran a successful restaurant there for many years. The Wongs were the first Chinese immigrants to settle in Walkerton, and interpretive plaques telling their story are erected in the park. Shortly after it purchased the land, the Municipality began planning to develop the park into a downtown greenspace and gathering area. In late 2020 the Durham Street Park, as it was then known, was opened to the public to provide an outdoor dining venue during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's also been used for the Walkerton Hometown Christmas Market for the past three years. In February 2021, the Durham Street Park Development Committee was established to provide support and input into all aspects of the planning, design, layout and use of the Market Garden. The committee held regular meetings until the end of 2022, and the Municipality is grateful to all members who gave their time to this project. The park was designed by pl.ural Consulting, and includes greenspace, seating and tables, a water feature, a small stage, heritage interpretive plaques, a donor plaque, shade trees and greenery. In June 2022, the Municipality of Brockton advertised the tender for construction of the Market Garden which closed on July 4, 2022. CSL Group of Ancaster, ON won the bid, and construction began in April, 2023. Local companies involved in the construction include Webers Electric, Built Right Fencing, Schmidt Paving, Al Reich Backhoe and Haulage, and RMP Welding. Construction was completed in July 2023, with a grand opening on July 12th. |
| Park Details |
|
The Market Garden is a community gathering space that all members of the public can enjoy, and it will support the area businesses with event space. The current Concept Plan showcases luscious green space, sitting areas, a stage, water feature, heritage interpretive plaques, a donor plaque and the opportunity for events year round!
|
| Park Contributors |
|
The Municipality of Brockton is grateful to our many private and corporate donors, and for government funding from the County of Bruce (Spruce the Bruce) and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and My Main Street). Donors include:
|
Contact Us