Montebello Park is located on Ontario Street, in the heart of the downtown area.  

History
The park, covering 6.5 acres, is unique and historically significant. The property was originally deeded in 1796 as a Crown Grant to Robert Hamilton. In 1820, the property was sold to William Hamilton Merritt, founder of the Welland Canal. After passing through the hands of several members of the Merritt family, W.H. Merritt Jr. purchased the site and named it Monte Bello, meaning beautiful mountain.

In 1887 the City of St. Catharines purchased the site and it became the first public park in the city. Frederick Law Olmstead, considered the founder of the landscape architecture, was commissioned to design the park. Olmstead had achieved wide acclaim as planner of New York’s Central Park, the grounds of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and the Boston Parks System.

In 1888, a pavilion was built on the foundation of the original Merritt estate. In 1904, a covered circular bandstand modelled after the one built for the Pan American Exhibition in Buffalo was constructed in the park by Edwin Nicholson, Builder of the Henley Grandstand in Port Dalhousie. The pavilion and bandstand have been designated as structures important under the Ontario Heritage Act. Other attractions include the original commemorative rose garden and ornamental fountain. This is the city’s largest rose collection with more than 1,300 bushes in 25 varieties. It is an area of enchanting beauty and a source of enjoyment for visitors to the park.

The park functions as a social and historical focal point within St. Catharines, and hosts many cultural and social activities.

Please call 905-688-5601 ext. 1927 or email ePlay@stcatharines.ca for current rates and permit information.

2010 Band Concert Schedule

Band concerts will start at 7 pm and conclude at 9 pm.  Please bring your lawn chair and enjoy the exciting concerts of 2010!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, July 11, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, July 13, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, July 18, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, July 20, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, July 25, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, July 27, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, August 8, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, August 10, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, August 15, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, August 17, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, August 22, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday, August 24, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday, August 29, 2010	6:00pm-10:00pm