FAQ

The Bowring Park Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1995 to help the City of St. John’s preserve and develop Bowring Park.

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are focused on working in partnerships with the public and private sectors to raise the financial resources required to upgrade and further develop the Park’s facilities and landscapes. The City owns and manages the Park.

In 2005, the Bowring Park Foundation, in partnership with the City of St. John’s, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Grand Concourse Authority, commissioned a Master Plan for Bowring Park. The Plan provided a clear assessment of the restoration and development work required at that time to prepare Bowring Park’s landscape to meet the demand for more recreational opportunities while at the same time preserving its peaceful environment. The Foundation funded its commitments to the projects through its endowment fund and by creating funding partnerships with corporations, charitable foundations and government organizations.

The masterplan is substantially completed. All relevant projects were completed. Projects list.

The Bowring Park Foundation would raise funds to meet its financial commitment to any future park projects.

·  Peter Pan Statue

·  Two World War One Monuments:

• The Fighting Newfoundlander
• The Caribou & the Beaumont Hamel Replica Plaques

Information about these monuments can be found in the Bowring Park brochure, linked here. 

The City offers family programs including day camps each summer from the Pool House; seasonal swimming programs; seasonal weekend snowshoe rentals; and special events, such as Festival of Music & Lights, Chill Fest, and Seniors' Party in the Park.

-  Bowring Park was designed by one of Canada’s great landscape architects, Frederick Todd.  It is interesting to note that Todd was an apprentice to Frederick Law Olmsted who co-designed Central Park in New York City. 

-  Bowring Park’s natural beauty is its greatest asset.  There is an abundance of beautiful trees which makes the Park a natural arboretum and there are two beautiful rivers, the Waterford River and the South Brook River running through it. The Park’s rustic fencing adds to the peaceful setting.

-  There are two man-made ponds, the Duck Pond and the Fountain Pond, where you can always see a variety of birds and fish.

-  Scattered throughout the Park are a number of interesting bridges including a Stone Bridge and a Cantilever Bridge.

All of the Park's features and locations are detailed in the Bowring Park Foundation brochure, linked here. 

The City has a program whereby a tree and/or bench can be placed in a location in the city including Bowring Park to commemorate a loved one, momentous occasion or event of significance. A form located on the City’s website needs to be completed to request the dedication of a tree or bench. Donated trees are the primary emphasis as benches are not required at this time.

The Park is home to swans which are maintained by the City.  There are wild ducks, pigeons, cormorants, otters, koi and trout.  As a year-round fundraiser, the Foundation sells small bags of whole corn as feed for the ducks and swans.  Unlike bread, corn does not dehydrate the fowl nor does it pollute their habitat.  The Button Shop has been assisting the Bowring Park Foundation in the packaging of corn as duck food since 2003. The Button Shop employs members of the Vera Perlin Society who assist individuals with developmental disabilities gain independence through employment. Bags of duck food cost $1 and are sold throughout the year at Marie’s Mini Mart locations and during the summer at The Bowring Park Lodge located at the Park’s East Entrance. All profits from these sales go back into projects for the Park.