Welland in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Merritt Park
Buildings and Industry
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025
1. Merritt Park - Marker
Today large trees, a green lawn and flowers surround the very beautiful park which was named after the founder of the Welland Canal, Mr. William Hamilton Merritt. In March 1952, wreckers began demolishing the Merritt Park band shell. This well known landmark was used for countless concerts, speeches, celebrations, and religious and public meetings. When the City of Welland was incorporated in 1917, Mayor Mark Vaughn gave his welcoming address to the Governor General from the band shell in the park. This event drew a crowd of more than 10,000. In the late 40's weekly concerts became the main feature of the band shell. The band shell was later replaced by a fountain that was torn down in 1982. Today, a beautiful fountain and monument, "The Welland Canal Memorial Monument," enthusiastically supported by the general public, was completed thanks to the Welland Heritage Council and its Executive Director, Ms. Claire Gerencser. The monument [payed] tribute to the thousands of immigrants who built the [Welland, the] Canal to open the gateway to the Great Lakes.
Aujourd'hui, de grands arbres, une pelouse verte et des fleurs entourent ce très beau parc qui porte le nom du fondateur du canal Welland,M. William Hamilton Merritt. En mars 1952, les démolisseurs ont commencé à démolir l'abri d'orchestre du Parc Merritt. Ce repère bien connu fut utilisé pour d'innombrables concerts, des discours, des célébrations et des réunions religieuses et publiques. Quand la ville de Welland fut incorporée en 1917, le maire Mark Vaughn a prononcé son allocation de bienvenue au Gouverneur Général dans l'abri d'orchestre du parc. Cet événement a attiré une foule de plus de 10 000 personnes. À la fin des années 1940, des concerts hebdomadaires sont devenus la « caractéristique majeure » de l'abri d'orchestre. L'abri d'orchestre fut remplacé plus tard par une fontaine qui fut détruite en 1982. Aujourd'hui, une belle fontaine et un monument « Le Monument commémoratif du canal Welland » soutenu avec enthousiasme par le grand public fut complété grâce au Welland Heritage Council et de sa Directrice exécutive, Mlle Claire Gerencser. Le monument rend hommage aux milliers d'immigrants qui ont construit le Canal Welland et donné une porte d'entrée aux Grands Lacs.
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Location. 42° 59.476′ N, 79° 15.06′ W. Marker is in Welland, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from King Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 King Street, Welland ON L3B 3H9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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 Welland Club (here, next to this marker); City Hall (here, next to this marker); Beatty & Sons Shipyard (here, next to this marker); The County Buildings (here, next to this marker); The Aqueducts
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
2. Merritt Park - Marker in context
This photo faces west from King St. The marker is on the other side, the side facing the canal. In the background is the west tower of old Bridge 13.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
