Bert Weeks Memorial Garden
On
November 30, 1990, the final spike was pulled from the CN tracks
on Windsor's waterfront. In March 1991, City Council approved
the first park development on the former CN lands; Bert Weeks
Memorial Gardens.
It
is fitting that part of this land will be dedicated to Bert Weeks
who championed the development of nine new riverfront parks
(Ganatchio Park, Ganatcho Trail, Sandpoint Beach, Stop 26, Peche
Island Landing, Lakeview Marina, Goose Bay, Piazza Udine and Coventry
Gardens) during his 40 years of public service, including eight
years as Mayor of Windsor. Weeks, a resident of Walkerville for
nearly twenty years, was also instrumental in obtaining major
parks in Windsor's west end including portions of Ojibway Prairie
Complex and set the foundation for the Windsor Trail; a walk/cycle
trail that is expanding to encircle the city.
Located
at the foot of Parent Avenue, the Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens
will complement the existing network of riverfront parkland, providing
an almost continuous 5 km stretch of parkland from the Ambassador
Bridge to Hiram Walkers.
The
Gardens, designed in a spectacular circular pattern by Walkerville
architect Michele R. Di Maio, are highlighted by a magnificent
cascading water fountain and a reflecting pool equipped with a
Noon Mark which, as a functioning time piece, pays homage to Weeks;
a watchmaker by trade. Spacious plazas, formal and naturalized
gardens, walking and cycling trails, and spectacular views of
the Detroit River from the Riverfront Observation Pier complete
the design.
Work
has begun on a naturalized rock break-wall to protect the site
from further water erosion. A fund-raising campaign has been launched
to facilitate the construction of the Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens
and contributions to this worthwhile initiative are welcomed.
Donations over twenty dollars to the Greater Windsor Community
Foundation are tax deductible. Major donors will be recognized
with a permanent, on site marker bearing their name and/or logo.
For
more information or to donate, call 255-6100, ext. 6441.
next
page | previous page
