Bowring Park - What's next?

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Consultation has concluded

Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas. Contributions to this consultation are now closed. A Summary of What we Heard can be found in the document library.

Bowring Park’s origins date back to 1911, when the Bowring Brothers commemorated their 100th business anniversary in the province by giving the City of St. John's a 20-hectare recreational park. Today, Bowring Park is over 81 hectares with amenities such as: a fully accessible playground and splash pad; outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts; soccer pitch; skate park (skateboarding); man-made duck pond which is home to swans and ducks; conservatory; and walking trails along the Waterford and South Brook Rivers, which are part of the Grand Concourse.

In 2005, the Bowring Park Foundation and the City partnered on the development of a Bowring Park Master Plan which set out a series of recommendations for upgrading the Park. The plan allowed the City to move forward with a ten-year development strategy and assisted the Foundation to acquire funding for the implementation of specific projects.

Now that the majority of the recommendations have been implemented, the Foundation and the City want to talk to residents about “what’s next?" for Bowring Park.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas. Contributions to this consultation are now closed. A Summary of What we Heard can be found in the document library.

Bowring Park’s origins date back to 1911, when the Bowring Brothers commemorated their 100th business anniversary in the province by giving the City of St. John's a 20-hectare recreational park. Today, Bowring Park is over 81 hectares with amenities such as: a fully accessible playground and splash pad; outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts; soccer pitch; skate park (skateboarding); man-made duck pond which is home to swans and ducks; conservatory; and walking trails along the Waterford and South Brook Rivers, which are part of the Grand Concourse.

In 2005, the Bowring Park Foundation and the City partnered on the development of a Bowring Park Master Plan which set out a series of recommendations for upgrading the Park. The plan allowed the City to move forward with a ten-year development strategy and assisted the Foundation to acquire funding for the implementation of specific projects.

Now that the majority of the recommendations have been implemented, the Foundation and the City want to talk to residents about “what’s next?" for Bowring Park.

Consultation has concluded

Still have a question about this project? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions or post it here and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. 

  • Share What is the City's position on cycling in Bowring Park? The T'Rrailway passes through and is a popular cycling path. This portion is part of the Grand Concourse and their website lists it as a cycling route. But the St. John's Parks by-law states that cycling is prohibited anywhere on the Grand Concourse. Also, when I was reading the by-laws I noticed that 1443 states it is an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in Bowring Park. Does that mean using the public skate part is technically an offense? The lack of consistency between regulations makes it difficult to know what is permitted. on Facebook Share What is the City's position on cycling in Bowring Park? The T'Rrailway passes through and is a popular cycling path. This portion is part of the Grand Concourse and their website lists it as a cycling route. But the St. John's Parks by-law states that cycling is prohibited anywhere on the Grand Concourse. Also, when I was reading the by-laws I noticed that 1443 states it is an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in Bowring Park. Does that mean using the public skate part is technically an offense? The lack of consistency between regulations makes it difficult to know what is permitted. on Twitter Share What is the City's position on cycling in Bowring Park? The T'Rrailway passes through and is a popular cycling path. This portion is part of the Grand Concourse and their website lists it as a cycling route. But the St. John's Parks by-law states that cycling is prohibited anywhere on the Grand Concourse. Also, when I was reading the by-laws I noticed that 1443 states it is an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in Bowring Park. Does that mean using the public skate part is technically an offense? The lack of consistency between regulations makes it difficult to know what is permitted. on Linkedin Email What is the City's position on cycling in Bowring Park? The T'Rrailway passes through and is a popular cycling path. This portion is part of the Grand Concourse and their website lists it as a cycling route. But the St. John's Parks by-law states that cycling is prohibited anywhere on the Grand Concourse. Also, when I was reading the by-laws I noticed that 1443 states it is an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in Bowring Park. Does that mean using the public skate part is technically an offense? The lack of consistency between regulations makes it difficult to know what is permitted. link

    What is the City's position on cycling in Bowring Park? The T'Rrailway passes through and is a popular cycling path. This portion is part of the Grand Concourse and their website lists it as a cycling route. But the St. John's Parks by-law states that cycling is prohibited anywhere on the Grand Concourse. Also, when I was reading the by-laws I noticed that 1443 states it is an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in Bowring Park. Does that mean using the public skate part is technically an offense? The lack of consistency between regulations makes it difficult to know what is permitted.

    CF8 asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your question and apologies for the delay. The Trans Canada Trail is a multi-use trail. It is permitted to ride a bike on this route. While the trail goes through Bowring Park, riding is permitted. Bike riding is also permitted on the roadways in Bowring Park. Skateboarding is permitted in skate parks including the one in Bowring Park.


  • Share Will there be direct bus service from Downtown? I have heard that it is accessible via Village bus terminal but this would mean taking and connecting with two bus routes. Also promote Biwring Park as a pleasant tourist spot so bus from downtown hotels would be essential. on Facebook Share Will there be direct bus service from Downtown? I have heard that it is accessible via Village bus terminal but this would mean taking and connecting with two bus routes. Also promote Biwring Park as a pleasant tourist spot so bus from downtown hotels would be essential. on Twitter Share Will there be direct bus service from Downtown? I have heard that it is accessible via Village bus terminal but this would mean taking and connecting with two bus routes. Also promote Biwring Park as a pleasant tourist spot so bus from downtown hotels would be essential. on Linkedin Email Will there be direct bus service from Downtown? I have heard that it is accessible via Village bus terminal but this would mean taking and connecting with two bus routes. Also promote Biwring Park as a pleasant tourist spot so bus from downtown hotels would be essential. link

    Will there be direct bus service from Downtown? I have heard that it is accessible via Village bus terminal but this would mean taking and connecting with two bus routes. Also promote Biwring Park as a pleasant tourist spot so bus from downtown hotels would be essential.

    Peter Cawthorne asked about 5 years ago

    Currently, there is a direct route from downtown to Bowring Park – Route 6.  Metrobus routes, however, are currently under review (see Public Transit Operational Review project page here).  Suggested changes to Route 6 (see document page 3) were among the recommendations recently released for public feedback.  Any service changes  made as a result of the public transit review will be advertised in advance. The survey on the draft plan remains open until July 22, if you would like to provide your feedback there.


  • Share Is there still talk of a governing body for the main parks in the city - Bannerman, Bowring and Victoria? on Facebook Share Is there still talk of a governing body for the main parks in the city - Bannerman, Bowring and Victoria? on Twitter Share Is there still talk of a governing body for the main parks in the city - Bannerman, Bowring and Victoria? on Linkedin Email Is there still talk of a governing body for the main parks in the city - Bannerman, Bowring and Victoria? link

    Is there still talk of a governing body for the main parks in the city - Bannerman, Bowring and Victoria?

    collinslana1 asked over 5 years ago

    The St. John’s Parks Board was a concept that was discussed a few years ago, but with the continued revitalization of various parks and the development of additional amenities it was not pursued. There are no current plans to revisit that governance model.