Autre nom(s)
Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers
Chinese Memorial Gardens Park
Liens et documents
s/o
Date(s) de construction
Inscrit au répertoire canadien:
2010/05/11
Énoncé d'importance
Description du lieu patrimonial
The Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers is a small municipal park, located on a major thoroughfare between downtown Nanaimo and the BC Ferries terminal. The historic place is limited to the legal boundaries of the park.
Valeur patrimoniale
The Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers speaks directly to Nanaimo's Chinese heritage. Around 1890, this small plot was donated by the New Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company for use as a Chinese burial ground. At that time, the site was just beyond the city’s official boundaries. Bodies were interred here, but it was always intended that the bones of the deceased would be returned to China. The site was in use until 1924, when the new burial grounds on Townsite Road were established. This site served as an essential communal space for the original Chinese community and, later, as an important commemorative space for their descendants.
The Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers is a significant example of a community commemorative project. In 1976, the site was presented to the city by the Nanaimo Chinese community. This was the first garden in Canada to commemorate the contribution made by the Chinese and their Canadian children to this country. Although small, the Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers is a significant public green space. The site, with its mature shrubs and trees and gracious lawns, functions as a peaceful oasis within a dense and noisy mixed-use neighbourhood.
The Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers is a very good example of an ethnic cultural landscape. The brightly painted, stylized Pagoda structure, inscribed standing stone found on the site, stylized altar for burning joss sticks and other materials, concrete patio with Chinese-style perimeter fencing and graceful arched staircase all give the park a distinct Chinese character.
Source: City of Nanaimo Planning Department
Éléments caractéristiques
The character-defining elements of the Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers include its:
- Pagoda structure, standing stone, and altar
- patio, perimeter fencing and arched staircase
- mature trees and shrubs
- stone wall at the front of the park.
- bronze commemorative plaque
Reconnaissance
Juridiction
Colombie-Britannique
Autorité de reconnaissance
Administrations locales (C.-B.)
Loi habilitante
Local Government Act, art.954
Type de reconnaissance
Répertoire du patrimoine communautaire
Date de reconnaissance
2002/10/07
Données sur l'histoire
Date(s) importantes
s/o
Thème - catégorie et type
- Établir une vie sociale et communautaire
- L'organisation communautaire
Catégorie de fonction / Type de fonction
Actuelle
- Loisirs
- Parc
Historique
- Religion, rituel et funéraille
- Site funéraire, cimetière ou enclos
Architecte / Concepteur
s/o
Constructeur
s/o
Informations supplémentaires
Emplacement de la documentation
City of Nanaimo Planning Department
Réfère à une collection
Identificateur féd./prov./terr.
DhRx-107
Statut
Édité
Inscriptions associées
s/o