Welcome to Victoria Park.
The site of the present day park was once home to Hamilton's own Crystal Palace. It was modelled after the Crystal Palace in London, and was built on 22 acres, which is much larger than the current Park. Originally it extended to Dundurn street. The Palace and grounds were opened by Queen Victoria's son, Edward, The Prince of Wales, on September 20, 1860, on his very first visit to Hamilton.
The Crystal Palace was built to host the Provincial Exposition (which would evolve into what we now know as the CNE) Hamilton hosted it in 1860, 1864 and 1872, at the Crystal Palace. It also hosted Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887. Sadly, this fragile building only lasted 30 years, and was demolished in 1891.
The vacant land was proposed for housing but instead was opened as Victoria Park in 1900, named after Queen Victoria. Since 1900, it has undergone many changes and renewals. Now only approx 15 acres, it has butterfly gardens, community gardens, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and playground equipment. There is also a nice paved walk-around with historical plaques.