Edmonton’s Borden Park, Exhibition Grounds, the Zoo, as I Remember Them.

BORDEN PARK:

Borden Park is not, or was not, considered: at least by most Edmontonians, a part of the neighbouring Exhibition/Fair Grounds, and vice-versa. They were considered to be separate and distinct entities.

Most of the Exhibition/Fair grounds--the later years of course--was covered with tarmac. Really, for most of the year, there was not much: to see, or do, there. Hockey, and, again, in later years; Stu Hart's wrestling (sales pavilion). Neighbourhood youth: mostly the 118th Ave. /Lloyd's Cafe, Night and Day, Tippy's gangs, would conduct drag races on the property-they were illegal-so we had to be very careful, when doing so. THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIEND; the days of the "Shag-on Wag-on" A & W, the Nomads, Rebels, Renegades, Strollers, All- Night Drive Ins, and Lake View-Teen Hops.

NORTH LANDS PARK (EXHIBITION GROUNDS); 
 Extends onto the property once owned by Prudham Building Supplies, came into being much later

For the most part, Borden Park, and the zoo there in contained, which was located at 76th Street, North of, 112th Avenue, had no fence. During most of my growing up years, the current paved cut-through road, and current horse barns (Exhibition Grounds),did not exist (most of the Borden Park Zoo was formally located along that path). Motor; or, other, traffic came via 112 Avenue, 115 Avenue; or through the fairgrounds from 118 Avenue. The gates to the fairground closed only during the fair season.

In the field, (I believe it was owned by Clark's Lumber; but Muttart (builder of many of the homes above Kinnaird Ravine) was also in the area), North West of Borden Park, (South of Borden Park is Forest Heights/Kinnaird Ravine), from the Street Car stop at 77th Street area, we boys often played on a raft in the middle of the pond, or more correctly, ponds,(most of this area was originally encompassed by Rat Creek which ran eastward from 97th street and the Calder area and the vast Kirkness Lake--a system of lakes that ran as far east as the present Drake Hotel.) which were located between 112 Ave th & 118 Ave. and the street car and rail-road tracks.The single street car track ran east and west, across an open field, parallel to the eight foot high chain link fence, which bordered all of the fairgrounds-except on one side,it did not surround Borden Park at all.

Because there was no fence, there was never a gate; and could not be; (other than ornamental) to enter Borden Park. A wide sidewalk bordered with balsamic poplar and black cottonwood trees (cotton from these trees was a serious fire hazard--same type of tree was planted on 95A street North of 118th Ave--it burns like gasoline) lined the curved walk that meandered gently a block and a half north-east ward to the location of the Zoo and the Borden Park Pool.

Located on the south edge, the pool had a small covered set of bleachers, for viewing of the swimmers. The concession stand had a shingled roof, and was accessible from both inside or outside of the pool area; so, you could also watch the swimmers through a two inch mesh, heavy wire fence. This pool was, in no way, constructed in a similar manner to the Queen Elizabeth Park Pool--that pool-- and that park-- didn't come into existence until many years later.

North of the pool was the "free" Zoo - no charges whatever! Which would have been rather hard to collect anyway--there was no fence, remember!

The outdoor monkey cage (could also be viewed from indoors) and the neighbouring (indoor) parrot cages (same building) were probably the most popular, due to their fascinating activity. It was not the bird's fault, but there is still a noticeable scar on my left fore-finger; the result of getting careless when offering food to my favourite parrot.

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The, GROUND LEVEL (surrounded by only a low pipe fence, no wire or mesh, we kids didn't pay any attention to it), bear cage often had three bears in it (another source of much amusement),  boys—as boys will do—often deliberately threw sugar lumps so that they would land under the rocks placed just outside of the iron bars of the cage; just so we could see the bears, effortlessly, fling the rocks aside in order to get at the sugar.

Designed strictly for display purposes, with no regard for the animals there in; the bear cage was a stark dismal affair; a concrete rectangle with an, also concrete root-cellar or bomb shelter type enclosure (with three openings) at one end; supplying the only protection, or shade, from the elements.

Besides the also original, bison paddock and duck pond, there were, at various times, over the years, a couple of coyotes, a grey timber wolf, a mountain lion/cougar (toward the end of the zoo's history), the cougar cage was located under some stairs, outside the monkey/parrot barn), and for many years, our famous talking crow.

It was, at that time, commonly believed: that in order for a crow to talk, you had to split their tongue.  Of course, this is not true and that cruel and sadistic practise is and was uncalled for. Our crow did not have a split tongue and was not a captive. It was free to come, or go, as it pleased. I am not sure who actually trained that crow but believe it was either one of the Coves brothers, or perhaps one the Davie brothers (the builders of Edmonton’s first miniature racing cars--long before Speedway Park).

Peacocks (the blue throat variety only) were fascinating to watch as they often spread out their beautiful coloured tails.

Not far from the bear enclosure, there was a porcupine, with a collar around its neck, on a chain, no enclosure; and no shelter. I though at the time-- and still do-- that: 

this had to represent the height of animal cruelty,

 and abuse.

THE EXHIBITION/FAIR GROUNDS

Every town and city across Canada had its country fair, which reflected the agricultural community of that area and separate from Borden Park, Edmonton had the Exhibition/Fair Grounds. The Exhibition/Fair Ground (not Borden Park) was surrounded by an eight foot high rusty chain link fence.

Calgary’s fair became known as the Stampede.

For much of its existence the Edmonton fair had no such theme, until Klondike Days (not the original) was taken up, to further reflect our early history as the jumping off place for the overland-ALL CANADIAN- route to the CANADIAN gold fields and the famous “Gold Rush”, of the Klondike—IN THE YUKON; which is--IN CANADA. There was no ALASKA gold rush.

The Edmonton Exhibition, the annual July event at the “Fair/EXHIBITION Grounds” wasn’t something that just came for its six day stay and left. It was something that everyone prepared for right after the last one ended. Why? One might ask.

Well, unlike today’s ten day event, there were many different preserves to make, beautiful handmade quilts, bedspreads, dresses, baby clothes, other crafts, paintings-- local manufactures exhibits, and much more, to prepare for competition, and display for the following year. Small cash prizes, or red blue and white ribbon, for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd were awarded to the best in each category

The Exhibition was a time when many in the farming community gathered in Edmonton. Near the manufacturer's building, there were a number of picnic areas to enjoy picnic lunches which were packed for a whole day stay. It was also a time when kids, and the more adventurous, could enjoy the rides that came with the fair.

The East side of the grounds, where today stands the permanent potato sack slide and the Chechako Gold mine, and starting at what was called the Manufacturer’s building (top quality, mostly local products, on display and sold at very reasonable prices—often lower than at any other time)and ladies pavilion; there were barns for each type of farm animal and fowl to be judged and awarded prizes.It was also in this row that most of the quilts, bedspreads, baby clothes, and other crafts or paintings were displayed.

These barns, (and the horse barns), low wooden grey and white painted buildings, stretched all the way to the north up to the hockey rink(Edmonton Gardens) along a tree-lined boulevard (actually a narrow walkway). Yes there were a few trees, in front of and between some of the barns. 

Children were not left out, as during the school year we produced many “works of art “that were submitted in competition. Each grade had a number of categories in which they could compete. Teachers would usually select the official entries. Kids considered them to be something they could be really proud of. Up until just a few years ago, I still had many of my prize winning entries in my possession.

For many city children, it was an opportunity to see all the animals that they only read or learned about in school and, for those who had lived on farms, to reminisce about.

The Royal American Shows, (later, after a slight scandal, Condon Shows) “the Midway” as it was called consisting of a number of different side shows: including “freak” shows, magic shows, Harlem Revue, and Sally Rand Follies (the Fan Dancer); and the same old rides: including the Carousel, Caterpillar, Ferris Wheel, Moon Rocket as well as the many--same old-- games of chance (including "Oscar" the mouse) was still looked on with much anticipation.

It was the same one that played the Calgary Stampede during the previous week and that would play in Vancouver

At midnight on the Saturday in Calgary the whole thing was packed up and put onto railway flat cars and brought to Edmonton. Edmontons lined the tracks with great anticipation turning out to see this colourfully loaded train come into Edmonton and switch over from the CPR track to the CNR track at 109th and 104th Avenue. The long string of rail cars blocked a number of thoroughfares; but there was not much complaint, as automobile traffic was not as great as today.

The coming of the Midway was also looked upon as an opportunity to earn a few dollars helping to raise tents, as general labour, or by renting out your yard as parking space.

The Monday was parade day and the opening of the Exhibition grounds and the judging of all categories of agricultural things and other exhibits. 

The last and much anticipated part of the fair was the grand stand show, which eventually saw its demise with the advent of television. This was the one event that really made the day at the fair for many. The entertainment, which was presented on a large stage, at the race track, included high wire acts, musical song and dance troupes, and sometimes, even, an act where a man was shot out of a cannon. There was always a special “kids show”, at which time they gave away several “great bikes”. Every night there was the “oh so grand” spectacular fireworks. They lasted for, perhaps, an hour.

Today’s fairs, rides, and “other” entertainment’s just don’t have the same charm; or any of the honesty of old Edmonton, one of the two cities I call home. It took a lot of time and a lot of effort before they finally succeeded in knocking the old Edmonton Gardens down. That building was built by Edmontonians—the same people the building helped build. 

©Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan- 2012