Feel the weight of history. Here before us stands the Woodbridge War Memorial Tower and Park a testament to sacrifice and community spirit.
This isn’t just a park. It’s a living memorial. Built in 1924 it honors the 26 men from Woodbridge who died in World War I. Volunteers built the tower. John Johnston donated the fieldstone. Fred Barret a stone mason from nearby Humbervale built the structure itself.
The tower itself is stunning. Its a beacon. A beacon of remembrance. It has four levels. The highest holds the tower. A glass dome sits atop the tower. It once shone brightly. Its light visible from Highway 7. The stone at the highest level? Salvaged from the old Humber Bridge. The bridge was demolished that same year. Highway 7 was being widened.
Notice the field guns. Three of them. Two flank the tower. One sits on the second level near a flagpole. They have quite a story. The Department of Defence donated one. The City of Toronto donated the other two. These weren’t ordinary guns. They were Krupp naval guns from 1901. The British Navy captured them. They were then converted for land use. Getting them here was an adventure. The Canadian Pacific Railway transported them. Mr Snider a local house mover helped build a ramp for unloading. Imagine the effort involved.
Look closely. You’ll see Royal Oaks. The British Royal Family donated them. A gesture of appreciation for Canadian loyalty. Major Alexander MacKenzie a Woodbridge resident secured the saplings. He was a WWI soldier and a politician. He played a significant role in creating this memorial.
The names of the fallen are inscribed on a plaque at the base of the tower. Remember them. Their sacrifice made this park and this community possible. This is more than a memorial. It is a gathering place a reflection on history and a testament to the enduring spirit of Woodbridge. The Woodbridge War Memorial Tower and Park stands as a powerful symbol. A symbol of remembrance and community strength.