In 1895 Hamilton's citizens approved a by-law, submitted to them at the municipal elections, for the purchase of a park in the northeastern section of the city. Woodland Park was purchased and developed as a pleasure ground.[34] A baseball field was not included in the layout of the park. Hamilton now had four official city parks. They were acquired by city council and administered by the Parks and Cemeteries committee of council.
The Ontario legislature had passed a Public Parks Act in 1883. It enabled any city to create a Board of Park Management to manage, regulate, and control all existing and future parks, boulevards, and drives. The board would be financed by a one-half mill assessment and by raising special pails debentures. A by-law to establish such a board could be put before the electors once the city council had received a petition signed by not less than five hundred voters. If such a by-law was passed the Board would consist of the mayor and six other city residents, who were not members of council, and who would be appointed by council upon the nomination of the mayor for three year terms.
In November of 1899 the Hamilton city council received the required petition and after some consideration agreed to submit a by-law to provide for the adoption of the Public Parks Act in the City of Hamilton."[35] A by-law to acquire Dundurn Castle and the adjoining land known as Harvey Park was also put before the people at the 1903 municipal elections. Both by-laws were passed.
Enthusiasm for the structural reform of municipal government was evident in cities throughout Canada and the United States. Reformers believed that municipal government could be made more responsive to the will of the people and more efficient if less power was concentrated in the hands of council members.[36] Power on council currently rested with the various committees and aldermen had ample opportunities to supplement their incomes by receiving bribes from companies or individuals who wished to be treated preferentially by their comittees. The independent board with responsibility for a specific area of municipal administration was one means of reducing' the authority of council, and thereby reducing the possibility of corruption and its resulting inefficiency.[37] The Spectator declared that
| the carrying of that by-law by a large majority shows that the people are disposed to remove the management of public institutions from aldermanic influence and interference whenever the opportunity offers.[38] |
The paper goes on to say that the success of the new board depended upon the selection of good men as commissioners. The mayor is cautioned not to consider religious affiliation, ward or party service when making his nominations to council. Another influence on the decision to present the by-law to the people may have been council's desire that the city not appear to be lagging behind the times. The Spectator reported that separate boards managed park development in many American cities and that Toronto residents had adopted the Public Parks Act for their city.[39] The booster philosophy demanded that Hamilton remain competitive with its rivals. If Toronto had a Board of Parks Management then Hamilton must have one too.
The development of Dundurn was the main interest of the first Board of Park Managements Suggestions about its use were numerous.[40] The Hamilton Art Association, The Wentworth Historical Society,The Hamilton Association, and the Hamilton Scientific Association each petitioned the board for space in the castle for their club rooms and for display purposes.The Orange Society asked for the use of the park grounds for their July 12 memorial picnic and demonstration. The Trades and Labour Council asked that they begranted the use of the park grounds for their Labour Day picnic and celebrations. A request for professional baseball at Dundurn was made.
The parks board was in a quandry. Two different segments of society viewed the new park in completely opposite ways. In the very recent past, before the park's purchase, Dundurn had been operated by a private company as a commercial amusement centre. In fact, the city had paid the owners a subsidy so that the park could be opened to the public free of charge on Sundays and on two other days each week.[41] The grounds had been regularly used by the Orange Society and by the Trades and Labour Council for years.[42] Professional baseball had also been played there. A considerable segment of the population would be displeased if the park was to be turned into a pleasure ground. This segment appears to have been primarily composed of workingmen and their families.[43] The upper and middle classes represented by the associations who wished to use the castle as a cultural centre were alarmed by the suggestion that baseball and public meetings might be allowed to intrude on the atmosphere of a public park.[44] The board had to balance the two perceptions of the purpose of the park.
The cultural associations were given space in the castle for their club rooms and exhibits. Any costs relating to the exhibits were to be born by the individual societies as the public was to have access to the castle at no charge.[45] The picnics requested were to be allowed and a grandstand was provided to facilitate professional baseball.[46] The baseball diamond was fenced in order that admission might be charged. Refreshment privileges were granted to a private vendor.[47] The board would receive a percentage of both the baseball and refreshment receipts to aid in the upkeep of the park. Complaints about the baseball ground and its admission charge were received by the board and a number of letters to the editor were published protesting the board's decision.[48] The board steadfastly held to their compromise position. Dundurn and Harvey Parks would be developed as pleasure grounds in all but two aspects. Professional baseball would be allowed and the zoo which came with the property would be retained.
The next major project of the board was to draft "By-law No. 1, For the regulation of the Public Parks under the control of the board". The parks would be opened from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. during the months of May to October and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during the months of November to April. The board may have allowed professional baseball but the principles of the pleasure ground would not be any further compromised. Several of the regulations are noteworthy in this respect.
| No person shall commit any of the following acts within any of the Parks which are under the control of the Board: In any manner injure any tree, plant, grass, flower, fruit, turf or structure. Play any music. Post or display any sign, banner, or advertisement. Keep or offer anything for sale. Hold any picnic at a place not designated by the Board for that purpose. Hold any public meeting or engage in any marching or driving as members of any military, political or other organization. Play baseball, tennis or any other game at any place not designated by the Board.[49] |
A park constable was hired to police the parks and enforce the Board's rules.