The ladies of Hamilton will rejoice to know that the beautiful grounds of Dundurn Park are to be thrown open to the public during the present season. The street railway track now runs past the gates, and the grounds can therefore be reached from any part of the city at slight expense of money or time. There are many who do not like the water, and there are others so situated that they cannot spare a whole afternoon to give the children an airing. Dundurn Park will be just the place for such parties to take advantage of. We are confident that the people of the west end will patronize it largely, for they are familiar with all its attractions. As these become better known to residents of other quarters of the city, Dundurn will be sure to claim a large share of the visitors who now go to more distant resorts.
Messrs. Howard & Benner, the leasees have gone to work in the right way. They will open the gates at 10 a.m. on Saturday and each succeeding day, when all are invited to go in for the low admission fee of five cents. Children under five years will be admitted free. Special caretakers, with the powers of constables, will be in attendance to look after the wishes of guests, so that all may be safe from annoyance.
On Saturday evening there will be an open air concert by the band of the 13th Battalion, supplemented by a display of fireworks. The admission for the evening is fixed at 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. The grounds will be lighted up, and seats for 1,000 people will be provided. Whenever the grounds are let to picnic parties, societies or excursions, notice will be given through the newspapers, so that no visitor may be disappointed. No doubt many such parties will occupy Dundurn. On Sundays admission will be by ticket, and the grounds will be closed at six o'clock.
We are glad that Messrs. Howard & Benner have taken this work in hand. A great many of our citizens have looked upon Dundurn with envious eyes, and anxiously desired to have the use of the grounds for a public park. They will now have the opportunity so long waited for, and the gentlemen whose enterprise has made this possible deserve every encouragement. Let there be a good turnout on the opening day.
Dundurn.
The Opening Day.
from the Hamilton Times, July 26, 1878
To morrow, at last, the citizens of Hamilton will have a public park where they can enjoy themselves. It is true it is not absolutely free, but the price of admission - five cents, with children under five years of age free, which is advertised as the regular rate - is within the reach of all. Of course, in the event of any particular attractions, the admission fee will be increased - as, for instance, on the opening day, there will be a grand band concert by the 13th Battalion Band and a display of fireworks in the evening. From ten to six the admission will be five cents, and from seven in the evening the price will be increased to twenty-five cents; children ten cents. The grounds will be lighted with 200 lights and seats will be provided. Messrs. Howard & Benner deserve the thanks of the community for their enterprise in opening out this delightful rendezvous, and we have no doubt that the citizens will patronize it most liberally. Remember the grand opening on Saturday, and especially the attractions in the evening. We have seen the programme on the fireworks to be exhibited. There are no less than thirty pieces, the concluding one being a magnificent transparency representing the Goddess of Liberty, encircled in a maple wreath, with motto and double side wings of Roman candles on each side.