King’s Square, Saint John

King’s Square is a historic urban park located in Uptown Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Established in 1785, one year after the formation of New Brunswick, the square, which was named for King George III, features multiple monuments and plaques honouring individuals who contributed to the city’s heritage. The square has several tall trees, most of which were planted for the 1883 Centennial Celebrations of the Loyalists that landed in the city. The center of the park contains a two-storey bandstand which was donated in 1909 by the City Coronet Band, in honour of King Edward VII.[1][2]

King’s Square
TypeUrban park
LocationSaint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Coordinates45°16′25″N 66°3′29″W
Created1785

Features
The King Edward VII Memorial Bandstand in 1910 (top) and in 2023 (bottom)

The center of the park features the King Edward VII Memorial Bandstand, a two-storey tall bandstand equipped with a copper roof and metal framework. The bandstand was constructed in 1908 and donated to the city in 1909 by the City Conet Band.[3][1]

Adjacent to the park sits the Saint John City Market as well as the Imperial Theatre.

Monument to Charles Gorman

The park holds several monuments, including a marker honouring Charles Gorman, a local speed skater who competed in the 1924 and 1928 Winter Olympics.[4] The east side of the park holds a 20’ tall monument for John Frederick Young, a 19-year-old who, on October 30, 1890, drowned while trying to rescue a 10-year-old boy in nearby waters.[5][4] Another monument located at the park is “The Loyalist Cross”, a cross monument in honour of the first sellers representing the province. Constructed in 1934, it was unveiled on New Brunswick’s 150th anniversary.[6]

History

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian hit the city, causing damage to the park.[7] In total, five of the nearly 200-year-old trees in the park fell to the ground. On September 15, 2021, seven new maple trees were planted to replace the fallen trees.[8]

References
  1. "King's Square". King’s Square | City of Saint John, New Brunswick.
  2. "A Tour of King's Square, Saint John, New Brunswick". Canadian Heritage Matters.
  3. "Swing by the King's Square Bandstand | Discover Saint John". www.discoversaintjohn.com.
  4. Rubin, Richard (27 October 2016). "In Saint John in Canada, Exploring the Legacy of the Loyalists". The New York Times.
  5. "John Fredrick Young - St. John, NB, Canada - Citizen Memorials on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com.
  6. "Cross Monument Kings Square Saint John New Brunswick - Photo & Travel Idea Canada". www.canada-photos.com.
  7. "Centuries-old trees in Saint John King's Square downed by Dorian | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca.
  8. "King's Square is home to seven new maple trees". King’s Square is home to seven new maple trees | City of Saint John, New Brunswick.
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