Today, I went to Harrison Park. I got to play on the swings and had a lot of fun. I also learned a bit about Harrison Park while I was there.
Harrison Park is an urban dream, with more than 40 hectares of streams, trails, gardens, playground, forest and green space, right in the heart of Owen Sound.
It's often called Owen Sound's "jewel in the crown", the park features dining and recreation facilities, a full service campground, boat rentals, a bird sanctuary, mini - golf, basketball courts, pool and trails.
Harrison Park is named after John Harrison, who bought the land in 1875 and worked toward preserving it in its natural state for the rest of his life. He cleared the undergrowth, planted trees, and opened the property to the public. By 1890, it was known as “ Harrison’s Pleasure Grounds.”
After his death, John Harrison’s family offered the land to the city for half its appraised value – so long as it remained a public park forever.
The Black History Cairn, an intriguing monument to the city’s first black settlers, escaped slaves who followed the Underground Railroad to its most northerly terminus, here in Owen Sound. An emancipation picnic and festival is held in the park every August. (I visited the cairn, and found it quite interesting...it's also very pretty with all the colours).
