The Origin and Development of Mount Royal Park, Montreal, 1874-1900: Ideal vs Reality

An examination of the various forces that were instrumental in the creation of Mount Royal Park in 1874, and the subsequent development of the park over the next quarter century. The author argues that even though the planning ideals of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted were not fully appreciated by Montreal's Park Commissioners, by the turn of the century Mount Royal resembled very closely Olmsted's aesthetic objectives for the park. This was due, according to the author, to the inaccessibility of the park for the majority of the city's population and the failure to provide park facilities suited to the needs of the lower classes. Nineteenth century Mount Royal Park was a rich man's playground instead of a recreational area for the masses, as Olmsted and the park promoters originally intended it to be.

Master's Thesis

York University

Toronto, ON

1984

vii-189p.

en