Landmark Building
CITY HALL PARK
Ross Street , Red Deer
Designed By: C.A. Julian Sharman, Hugh Gilchrist
Built in 1845
'); "City Hall Park")
The land for this park was acquired by the Town of Red Deer in 1902. Based on the 1913 civic centre plan by local architect, C.A. Julian Sharman, the park was first landscaped in 1914. Mr. Sharman\'s design followed the \"City Beautiful\" movement, fashionable in North America prior to World War I. The concept of grandiose public buildings, clustered geometrically in spacious, park-like centres had already been addressed in Edmonton by the Minnesota firm of Nicholas and Morrell, and in Calgary by British planner, Thomas H. Mawson. Interrupted by recession and war, Red Deer\'s Post Office, Court House and City Hall are the only structures in place from Mr. Sharman\'s original plan.
The present park was designed in the early 1950s by Hugh Gilchrist, Parks Superintendent. The geometrically arranged flower beds and pathways radiating outward from a central core contribute to the picturesque appeal of the park. In the northeast corner of City Hall Park stands the Royal Canadian Air Force Monument, erected in 1967 to honour all airmen who lost their lives during World War II.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Red Deer Historical Walking Tours. Red Deer Historical Preservation Committee and Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.