Northeast Edmonton
During the relocation period of Northlands Park’s history, the
organization settled into the northeast Edmonton site that would eventually
become its permanent home. Although it did not initially seem like an
ideal acquisition, it became one with the hard work of EEA members and
partners.
James Kirkness, a local old timer, owned the plot referred to by city planners as River
Lot 26. Before EEA development on the site, the triangular parcel was covered by
swamps and marshes, and known as the Kirkness Lake
property.
Kirkness purchased the land as a speculative investment. The lot lay
outside City of Edmonton limits, but like other residents of the area, Kirkness was aware that existing boundaries would be stretched as
Edmonton’s population and businesses continued to grow. The lake ran
east and occupied much of what was known as East End Park, later
becoming Borden Park. Despite challenges posed by the site, Kirkness did
not have trouble selling it.
In
1910, the land’s sale was solidified following the EEA’s search
for a new home. The City of Edmonton bought the Kirkness Lake property
for the organization and leased it to them for $1 CDN per year. Marshy
and difficult, the site came cheap, making it a thrifty choice. These
savings paid off as money was allocated to the creation of permanent
facilities.
For momentum to be kept up, construction had to be performed quickly in
preparation for the following year’s exhibition. Soggy earth had to be drained and the land
solidified so
it could be built upon. This required the transportation of river gravel
that was spread across the expansive space. Eventually the land was
filled up, but an oval hump was left to contend with. In a stroke of
ingenuity an oval racetrack was built atop the protruding earth.
Also rising from the once sodden land were the Manufacturers Building
and Livestock Pavilion. Dotting the landscape and providing continuity
within the large property were gravel walkways, manicured grass and
trees, and colourful blooms. The Borden Park area was also beautified
and a bandshell for live music was constructed in 1913.
A new era for the organization was heralded in by its permanent home.
The site and its lasting facilities proved to be the bedrock on which
activities could be diversified and new members, guests, and partners
attracted.
To this day, Northlands Park resides on the site, and just as some of
its neighbouring landmarks such as Borden Park have changed over the
decades, the old northeast home site of the organization continues to
transform. Land expansions have been planned and performed in increments
to meet organizational needs.
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