Pelham’s recreation began at Fonthill Park
Prior to the construction of what was then known as Fonthill Park, there did not seem to be much in the way of organized public recreation spaces available in Pelham, and those that did exist did not receive much support.
The idea for the park arose from a plan to have dedicated recreational space in downtown Fonthill, using the ravine just north of what is now Highway 20. The park was officially opened on May 24, 1939. An opening ceremony took place with sports events and fireworks on the field. A tablet with the names of that year’s council responsible for bringing the park into reality was unveiled, bearing the names of Reeve Albert Nelson and Couns. W. Prosser, F. Easterbrook, E. Molden and J. Fletcher, Jr.
In addition to the park’s facilities, a section of land at the foot of College Street, on the northern side, was used as of 1944 to accommodate a skating rink in the winter and ball games in the summer.
It is believed that among the sponsors for the park’s construction may have been Roy H. Davis, founder of Atlas Steels. Davis, living at “The Silo” residence in Fonthill in 1955, played a large role in the town’s recreational development when he had put forth the idea of creating a community centre and recreation hall. Committees were formed to discuss the potential merits, ultimately culminating in the decision to convert his barn for that purpose. Davis died in 1956 before the project was complete, however, and volunteers and the community took up operation. In 1958, the Kinsmen Club added its contributions in the form of a wading pool and, later, playground equipment.
The biggest challenge in reaching the park was in finding an entrance without needing to walk down a steep incline. Prior to 1950, visitors would have to park at the top of the hill. Circa 1950, Fonthill Lions Club had moved to buy the park, along with a section of land belonging to the Temperance House/drift Inn, then owned by Hector and Annie Gagno, in order to ensure a passage to the park.
The Lions were responsible for much of the park’s maintenance and improvement during their ownership, such as installing floodlights at the park, levelling the baseball field, building an outdoor skating rink and changing room, and erecting a bandshell. They organized an annual carnival and parade that was held the second week of June.
In 1959, the club launched a campaign to construct Fonthill’s first neighbourhood public swimming pool at the park, which was built a year later. In 1965, the Lions turned management of the park back over to the town, with a number of conditions stipulating that they would be allowed to use it for events and for holding their carnival, but it did not turn out as expected. The Lions then moved to Davis Hall, in the early 1960s. Despite this, they continued to hold carnivals in the park well into the late 1980s.
In 1990, a short-track velodrome was built at the park, primarily for use by St. Catharines Cycle Club. The 1988 Tour De France yellow jersey winner and professional cyclist Steve Bauer helped with the opening ceremony. A brainchild project of Pelham resident and professional cyclist Peter Junek, the Fonthill Velodrome was considered to be one of the few bicycle racing tracks in the world that allowed riders to reach top speeds because of its 120-metre dimensions.
A 55-degree embankment restricted the track for professional competitive cyclists, and one would have to be a member of the cycling club to use it. It successfully served as a much closer alternative to similar training facilities in such places as Montreal, where many members had travelled to train prior to its construction. Despite its popularity, winter weather damaged the velodrome so severely over time that it was shut down and dismantled only seven years later, in 1997.
In 2005, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Fonthill, Fonthill Park received a new name, in recognition of another local sports celebrity. In celebration of the life and achievements of World Golf Hall of Fame member and Fonthill resident Marlene Stewart Streit, the park was renamed in her honour. June 25 was designated Marlene Stewart Streit Day.
In 2013, the newly minted Marlene Stewart Streit Park received another addition in the shape of the Isaac Riehl Memorial Skatepark.
Many people still have fond memories of the park. A mural of Stewart Streit painted by students of E.L. Crossley Secondary School was unveiled last July.
The park still sees plenty of use, serving both as a Fonthill recreational space and as a place of historical significance created by the people around it.