Gage Park

Gage Park was the first municipal park in Brampton, established at the peak of the City Beautiful Movement that swept across North America in the early 20th century. Before the park was created, public celebrations and large gatherings were held either at the Fairgrounds on Elliott Street or the Athletic Grounds at Rosalea Park. However, both were considered far from the centre of town and lacked shade trees., Originally, the park served as the front lawn of the Alderlea estate, the Italianate mansion built circa 1867 for Kenneth Chisholm, who was the son-in-law of John Elliott, a founding father of Brampton., In 1902, a large portion of the Alderlea estate was severed, and the Town of Brampton purchased 2.4 acres (0.97 hectares) from the Chisholms. That same year, William J. Gage purchased 3.25 acres (1.32 hectares) of the Elliott estate that stood immediately to the north of Alderlea. Gage then donated 1.7 acres (0.69 hectares) of the property to the town with a condition that the land remains available to citizens as a public park or arboretum. Brampton residents who generously supported the need for a park collected $1,054 so that extra land could be purchased to complete the park. William J. Gage opened the park on Dominion Day (Canada Day) in 1903., The centrepiece of Gage Park is the bandstand. A wading pool was added by the Kinsmen Club in 1955. In 1971, the Flower Fountain was presented by the Benson and Hedges Tobacco Company. Queen Elizabeth planted a tree in the park in 1973. The Rotary Club of Brampton's long-standing contributions to the park include the swings, skating trail, and entrance trellis with digital sign., Gage Park serves as a multi-functional amenity space, and is an iconic and cherished landmark of Brampton that attracts visitors from near and far.