Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Montebello Park

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 11, 2025

1. Montebello Park Marker

Inscription. Enjoy this beautiful green space nestled downtown, perfect for a picnic, a game of catch or to enjoy the summer breeze or fall colours.

Named Monte Bello-meaning beautiful mountain-this park sits on land once owned by the Merritt family. Purchased by the city in 1887, Montebello Park became the first city park in the community. The City of St. Catharines hired renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead (of New York City's Central Park) to create the design for this 6.5 acre park in the heart of the downtown.

The park pavilion was built over the foundation of a former and unfinished Merritt home in 1888 and a bandstand was built in 1905. The famous rose garden was added in 1913 and is the city's largest rose collection.

Each year the region celebrates the fall harvest with Canada's oldest and largest wine festival, the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, with Montebello Park playing host to 50,000 guests enjoying local wine, food and entertainment.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 43° 9.523′ N, 79° 15.038′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Lake Street and Queen Street, on the left when traveling north on Lake Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Lake Street, St Catharines ON L2R 5J9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hannelore Headley Chess Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Walter Ostanek Pavilion (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ribfest and D-Day and Vimy Ridge Memorial Plaque (about 120 meters away); Murray Ross Morton 1905-1965 (about 120 meters away); Montebello Park 1887-1987 (about 150 meters away); Tree to Commemorate International Literacy Year

Montebello Park - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 11, 2025

2. Montebello Park - Marker in context

(about 150 meters away); Civic Heart Of The Community (about 180 meters away); William Greenwood, Carriagemaker circa 1875 (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.