Centennial Park Improvements - 2021

Background 
Created in the 1950s, this first major public green space was named in honour of Canada’s Centennial anniversary in 1967.

Not surprisingly, as Moncton’s population grew, the park evolved over the years. The sports field and tennis courts were added, the initial playground has been replaced in the past decade for more inclusive structures, and the splash pad has long been a popular attraction.

In summer 2020, the new Centennial Pool was opened in a different location (near the Rotary Pavilion).

For 2021, two important projects are planned:

• Enhancements at the main entrance, i.e. refurbishment of the transportation monuments and addition of an action sports park (for skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes and roller blades). *Zone 1
• Repurposing of the former pool site (also known as the ‘lower bowl’) *Zone 3 
  • Details on both projects can be found further below. 
  • The Lower Bowl project is the immediate priority, with more planning needed for the work in Zone 1. Stay tuned! 

March 2021 Update: 

In December we asked for your input on the Centennial Park lower bowl landscape improvement project. Thanks to your feedback, and these are the proposed amenities:

• A skating trail including an inner loop for beginners and programmable lighting. This area will be used as a walking trail and a green space during the warmer months.
• An improved sliding hill with a plowed return trail
• A pond lookout including seating and shelter
• Using the Kaboom rink as 2 basketball courts during the warmer months
• Replacing the existing bridge connecting to Colvert Trail.

About the Main Entrance (zone 1) 

There are two components to the work planned for the Main Entrance (Zone 1):

1. Landscaping and refurbishment of the monuments
2. Action Sports Park

About the Monuments 

City Council has approved the funding for the refurbishment of the prominent artifacts at the St. George Blvd. entrance to Centennial Park, as described below:

• The anchor from the escort aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent. It was presented to the City of Moncton by Rear Admiral D.S. Boyle CD on behalf of Maritime Command on August 11, 1974.
• A Sherman tank called “Coriano”, painted with the tactical signs of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise), was presented to the City of Moncton by Brigadier General S.V. Radley-Walters DSO MC CD, on behalf of the Regiment on May 14, 1972. “Coriano” is one of the Regiment’s battle honours from the Italian Campaign.
• The CF 100 Mark 5 (Canuck Aircraft) Serial 18488 was first test flown on August 31, 1955 and its last flight occurred on April 20, 1966. This monument was unveiled on August 14, 1966.
• In addition to military equipment, a 5240 Locomotive with coal tender sits under a canopy to protect it from the elements.

The objectives of the refurbishment of the monuments are to:

• address any areas of corrosion;
• repair or replace any structural materials;
• repaint and refinish to their former glory.

Adjustments and improvements to the landscaping, pathways and connections to St. George Blvd. will also be part of the project.

About the Action Sports Park 

In the fall 2019, City Council adopted the Moncton Action Sports Park Strategy. This location in the green space at the Main Entrance was identified as the most preferred site in the city for a new plaza-style multi-season feature, with integrated landscaping to compliment the existing active play activities in Centennial Park. In initial discussions with nearby stakeholders, this site also has the potential to encourage new participants for various sports in the park.

The City is seeking the public’s input to help create a vision of a multi-use space for skateboarding, scootering, biking and inline skating, which could be multipurpose. The project would not impact existing trees and would consider new plantings along with amenities to create a buffer with the existing lawn bowling courts.

About the Lower Bowl (Zone 3) 

The Centennial Park lower bowl was home to the first outdoor pool in the City of Moncton. Built in the 1950’s, and spearheaded by a non-profit organization called Playtime Projects Inc., with the support of local service clubs, the state-of-the-art $40,000 facility served the community until 1982.

In 1984, ‘Centennial Beach’ was constructed and served the community up until 2017 when it was closed due to flood damages and it was determined that the pool structure was beyond repair. (In 2020, the new $5.5 million pool opened in a new location (15 Rotary Lodge Lane) outside of the flood-prone area.)

The lower bowl is also home to a basketball court, bandstand, gazebo, bridge, sliding hill, trails and Tree-Go. Historically, the pond was used as a skating oval; however, due to climate change and unstable ice conditions, other areas in the park were developed for skating.

Flood resiliency
Due to the many varied uses of the area over the years what remains today is a mix of remnant infrastructure that does not have a cohesive flow or sense of meaning. As an area that is prone to significant flooding events that are expected to continue for the foreseeable future any infrastructure to remain or to be built in this zone must be flood resilient. As such, we need to be creative on how to improve the area.

Key Constraints: electrical access or buildings cannot be built within the flood zone, and any landscaping or amenities must be able to withstand severe flooding events.

Required work 
Some elements of this project must be completed due to the above-noted constraints:

• Moving the gazebo to a more user-friendly and flood-resistant spot;
• Removing the bandstand (temporary stages can be brought in for events when needed);
• Replacing the bridge that connects this space to Colvert Trail (around the oval pond). This will have a longer span to improve water flow from Jonathan Creek into Centennial Pond.

Ideas for consideration
The City of Moncton is seeking the public’s input to develop a plan for the improvement of the lower bowl space. Here are some ideas received so far from consultants and the public:

• Repurposing the trail around the perimeter of the Lower Bowl (3-3.5 m wide), along with a couple of smaller loops, as a skating trail;
• Maintain some open green space for improvised play within the bowl area, along with planting of natural meadow vegetation.
• Removing the basketball court from its current location, and bringing it up the hill near the playground and canteen. 
• Building a shelter with seating in the former boathouse location, overlooking the oval pond and island.