Barton Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Barton Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Friday, June 27, 2025 - 3:15pm
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled- Canada Day

All HPL Branches are closed Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1. Extended Access is not available. The following Bookmobile visits are also cancelled on July 1st:

  • Riverdale
  • Strathcona
  • McMaster
  • Greencedar
  • Mountview

Regular service hours resume Wednesday, July 2.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 11:00am
Study Halls - Summer Break Pause

Study Halls are taking a summer break after Thursday, June 26. The service will resume in early September. 

www.hpl.ca/study-halls

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, June 20, 2025 - 1:30pm
Sherwood Branch - Public Computers

The computer lab on the 1st floor is currently out of order. There are limited public computers available on the 2nd floor. Printing and photocopying are still available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Published:
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 11:00am
Terryberry Branch Elevator Out of Order

The parking lot elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members will need to use the accessible ramp at the Mohawk entrance and the inner elevator. We're working to get it fixed quickly.

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Published:
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 1:00pm
Public Computers - Audio Volume

Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.

 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 4:00pm
Mount Hope Branch Accessibile Ramp Not Available

The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:30pm

History of Gore Park

Flagpole raising in Gore Park, 1959
Flagpole raising in Gore Park, 1959

Other things were happening to the park during the 1950s besides the bird menace. The old fountain installed for the Royal visit in 1860 was finally condemned as unsafe and removed to make way for the three saucer shaped fountains donated by the Kinsmen (48). The flagpole, having been condemned as unsafe, was replaced by a steel one donated to the city by Dofasco.

The 1960s got off to a roaring start with the dedication of the new $20,000 fountains. Prime Minister Diefenbaker was scheduled to come to the ceremony but a blizzard kept him grounded in Ottawa. The Honourable Ellen Fairclough stood in his place (49). During this time period it was decided that Gore Park needed a master plan for a complete change. The Parks Board decided to set up a permanent committee to look into the question. Five committees, four reports and five years after talks commenced in 1962 they were no closer to any acceptable designs for renovation than they had been at the beginning.

Inaugurating the new fountain in Gore Park, 1960
Inaugurating the new fountain in Gore Park, 1960

The Parks Board presented their latest proposal in April 1968. It called for replacing the Kinsmen's fountain with a 150 foot long reflecting pool with three spray fountains, planting more flowers, closing Hughson Street through the park and putting a steel picket fence around the park. The final version of that report, presented 12 months later, left Hughson Street open but retained all the other suggestions. The only problem now facing the Board was the fact that there was absolutely no money to do anything proposed. They hoped the money would be available in two years time (50).

New fountain in Gore Park at night, 1970
New fountain in Gore Park at night, 1970

The renovations were finally budgeted for and slated to start in the summer of 1970. The central focus of the new park would be the new fountain. It was to be an oval with a twenty-five foot spray in the middle and about 25 other smaller jets around it. All benches were to be removed and seats without backs placed at intervals. $135,000 was budgeted for the renovations (51). The fountain was officially turned on October 23, 1970 and worked beautifully. The coloured lights playing on it made quite an impressive sight.