Perhaps a cow pasture isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of urban parks. Yet, that’s part of the story of Parc Jeanne-Mance. It sits in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough of Montreal. This 14-hectare park is a vibrant space. It’s named after Jeanne Mance. She was the co-founder of Montreal.
Before it was Parc Jeanne-Mance, it was Fletcher’s Field. Local stories say a man named Fletcher pastured his cows here. The park’s history began in the late 19th century. This was during the planning of Mount Royal Park. The city acquired land stretching from Mount Royal’s summit to Esplanade Avenue. It ran between Pine Avenue and Mount Royal Avenue.
In 1878, Montreal’s Crystal Palace was moved to Fletcher’s Field. Sadly, a fire destroyed it in July 1896. A curious detail emerged in 1879. The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain identified Fletcher’s Field. It was a notable source of Hyoscyamus niger. This is a psychoactive plant.
Fletcher’s Field also served as a military parade ground. Like Logan’s Farm, now part of La Fontaine Park, it played a role in military exercises. During the Great War, troops trained here. The Montreal Lacrosse Club and Royal Montreal Golf Club also used the field. Youth lacrosse and football clubs played here too.
In September 1910, a campaign arose during the Montreal Eucharistic Congress. Its goal was to rename the park. They wanted to honor the founder of the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal. The city officially changed the name to Parc Jeanne-Mance in 1990. The plaza entrance facing the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument is still known as Place Fletcher’s Field. It serves as a reminder of the park’s past.
Today, Parc Jeanne-Mance offers many features. There are playgrounds for children. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a softball field. Tennis courts with night lights are available. A soccer/football field has artificial turf. In the summer, a children’s swimming pool opens. In winter, an outdoor skating rink is available.
You’ll also find an Art Deco drinking fountain. It honors Louis Rubenstein. It is located at the corner of Mount Royal Avenue and Park Avenue. Public washrooms are located beneath Place Fletcher’s Field. This is opposite the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument on Park Avenue. So, from cow pasture to vibrant urban park, Parc Jeanne-Mance has a rich and varied history. It continues to be a vital part of Montreal.