Name:

HUNTINGTON PARK

Also Known As: Jessie Patterson Park

Location:Broker Dr. and Brentwood Dr., east of Upper Ottawa St. and south of Fennell Ave. - Ward 6

Survey Description: Concession 5, Lot 4, Township of Barton, City of Hamilton, Plan 908, Lot 90

Size: 1.85 hectares (4.57 acres)

Features: play structure, washrooms, walkway, wading pool/spray pad, community centre, wading pool, indoor swimming pool

History

Huntington Park was named simply because of its location in the Huntington neighbourhood. The original design for the park was done by K. Matt Broman, whose work was very important to the parks system. By 1957, a wading pool and play structure had been added to the park, making it a very popular spot for children. March 5, 1962 marked the opening day for the Huntington Recreation Centre, which included an indoor swimming pool as well as a gym and changerooms. This centre was used for many years before local residents demanded that it be repaired, re-painted and re-opened. The Huntington Recreation Centre was the second most used recreation centre in Hamilton although the swimming pool could only hold 74 people, as opposed to newer pools which held about 150. Lobbying for renovations began in the late 1980's, when the centre was said to look like nothing more than an "old airport hanger," and continued until the early 1990's, when they were finally completed. Additions to the park included a new combination wading pool/spray pad, which was put in place of the old Jessie Patterson swimming pool. The re-opening took place on July 9, 1993, .

References:
1. Corporation of the City of Hamilton, Department of Public Works and Traffic, Parks Division, Park Development Section. Parks Master Plan database, 1996.
2. Hamilton Mountain News. April 24, 1991.
3. Hamilton Mountain News. July 7, 1993.
4. Hamilton Mountain News. July 14, 1993.
5. Hamilton Mountain News. March 23, 1988.
6. Hamilton Mountain News. October 11, 1989.
7. Hamilton Mountain News. February 28, 1990.
8. Hamilton Mountain News. March 28, 1990.
9. Hamilton Mountain News. Feb. 13, 1991.
10. Hamilton Mountain News. April 17, 1991.
11. Recreation in Hamilton Scrapbook. vol. 2. Special Collections, HPL.