Windsor Park

“A grand old dame, isn’t she?” a voice beside me murmured. I turned to see an elderly gentleman, his eyes fixed on Windsor Park. This tranquil oasis, tucked away in Dorval, held more stories than I could have imagined. Windsor Park, a peaceful haven amidst the urban bustle, was once part of a grand estate. But its story is far more intriguing than that. Its roots are intertwined with the iconic Windsor Station in downtown Montreal, a place that once pulsed with the rhythm of arriving and departing trains. The station, a magnificent Richardsonian Romanesque masterpiece, opened in 1889 as the headquarters of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was the brainchild of Bruce Price, a New York architect who had to revise his plans multiple times before they were approved. Can you picture the hustle and bustle of this grand station, the steam engines hissing, the porters rushing with luggage, the tearful goodbyes and joyful reunions? Windsor Station was more than just a transportation hub. It was a symbol of Montreal’s growth and prosperity, a gateway to the west. It hosted royalty, dignitaries, and everyday travelers, each with their own story to tell. The station even played a role in the founding of the National Hockey League in 1917! Over the years, Windsor Station expanded, its fifteen-story tower becoming a prominent feature of the Montreal skyline. But by the late 20th century, the station’s role diminished. Passenger trains moved to Central Station, and the land west of Windsor Station was repurposed for the Molson Centre, now the Bell Centre. The station was severed from the rail network in 1993. Though no longer a bustling train station, the spirit of Windsor Station lives on, not just in the repurposed office complex downtown, but here in Dorval. The name “Windsor Park” echoes the grandeur of its namesake, a quiet reminder of a time when steam engines and grand halls ruled the day. Imagine the travelers who once passed through those halls, some perhaps settling in the very area that now surrounds this park. Their journeys, their dreams, their stories – all connected to the legacy of Windsor Station, and now, quietly reflected in the serenity of Windsor Park.