Bowring Park

Bowring Park, St. John's, Newfoundland, offers appeal to all ages. It has a beautiful walking trail, children's play areas, swimming pool, war memorials, labyrinth, amiptheater, and so much more. One of the family fun attractions is a visit to one of two duck ponds which always seems to have a vast array of ducks and other water loving birds eager to receive a treat from people who visit the pond.

Enjoy beautiful Newfoundland scenery along the family friendly nature walk at Bowring Park.

Bowring Park Veteran Memorials

The Caribou Monument, Beaumont Hamel Plaque, and The Fallen Newfoundlander Statue are three memorials on display at Bowring Park in St. John's. Each of these commemorative monuments pay tribute to the sacrifices of WW1 servicemen. The Caribou Monument is privately located in a forest clearing next to a small waterfall and is one of the statues in the trail of the Caribou. The Beaumont Hamel plaque, an exact replica of a plaque in France, is found just feet beyond the Caribou statue and displays the names of fallen servicemen whose final resting place was not known. The Fighting Newfoundlander statue is found in a clearing on the other side of the main footpath and pays tribute to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the human sacrifices of "the Blue Puttees" during the Battle of the Somme (Battle of Beaumont Hamel) in France.

The Caribou Statue at Bowring Park is a veterans memorial for fallen WW1 soldiers.

The Beaumont Hamel plaque at Bowring Park honors fallen servicemen whose final resting place was unknown.

The fighting Newfoundlander statue at Bowring Park is a tribute to the sacrifices of "The Blue Puttees" during WW1.

Bowring Park's Nature Walk and Popular Exhibits

As you walk the nature trail around Bowring Park, you will encounter different exhibits of public interest including a horse trough, the Bowring Park bell, the Peter Pan statue, the labyrinth, the Cabot 500 ampitheatre, the Connaught stone, the Canterelle bridge, and the Bowring Park greenhouse. Follow the Bowring Park map to ensure you get to see all areas of interest.

Enjoy a nature walk in Bowring Park, NL.

Horse Trough

See the horse watering trough, originally located on Water Street, that was used to provide water for work horses during the nineteenth century. As work horses became less common, the trough was relocated and placed on display at Bowring Park.

A 19th century horse trough is located on the main walking path along Bowring Park's nature walk.

The Bowring Park Bell

The Bowring Park bell was originally used to let visitors know that the park was closing for the evening. It now sits on display in a forest clearing nearby the greenhouse.

The Bowring Park bell is displayed atop a large boulder in a forest clearing near the Bowring Park greenhouse.

The Peter Pan Statue

The Peter Pan statue at one of the duck ponds in Bowring Park is a popular attraction for families visiting the park. Few know that the statue is a memorial for a young girl, Betty Munn, a granddaughter of one of the landowners who had gifted the park to the city of St. John's. Betty died in the shipwreck of the SS Florizel in Cappahayden, NL, in 1918.

The Peter Pan statue at the Bowring Park duck pond is a memorial to a 3 year old girl who died in a shipwreck.

Bowring Park Sundial

With a background of mature Autumn trees, the Bowring Park sundial is found in an open field surrounded by a hedge.

Bowring Park Labyrinth

Take a walk through the labyrinth, contemplating your blessings and challenges in life as you maneuver its winding path. The labyrinth was constructed at Bowring Park in the fall of '21 to support mental health.

The Bowring Park labyrinth promotes stress relief through grounding techniques and contemplative reflection.

The Cabot 500 Ampitheatre

The Cabot 500 Ampitheatre, opened in the year 2000, is a venue that hosts outdoor public performances at Bowring Park.

The Cabot 500 Ampitheatre hosts outdoor performances at Bowring Park.

The Connaught Stone

The Connaught stone marks the site where the Linden Tree was planted by Duke Connaught in 1914 to celebrate the opening of Bowring Park (35 years before Confederation). The tree was destroyed by Hurricane Igor in 2010 and, in its place, the Connaught Stone was placed. A bronze plaque resting atop the stone displays the royal stamp of Duke Connaught.

The Connaught Stone represents the site where Duke Connaught officially opened Bowring Park.

The Canterelle Bridge

The Canterelle Bridge in Bowring Park is designated a historic bridge because of its beauty and historic value.

The Canterelle Bridge in Bowring Park has a unique structural design and sloping supports.

Bowring Park Greenhouse / Conservatory

Bowring Park Duckpond

The Bowring Park duck pond is bordered by mature trees and flowering plants.

This is one of two duck ponds at Bowring Park, NL where families love to stop and feed the ducks and pigeons.

Autumn colored red and gold foliage overhang a small river at the duck pond in Bowring Park.

Concrete Well

The concrete well, that looks somewhat similar to the fireplace in Hansel and Gretyl, was once owned by a Newfoundland politician.

This old concrete well is located off trail by the labyrinth at Bowring Park, NL.

Birdwatching at Bowring Park

The duck pond is a great place to see, and feed, the ducks at Bowring Park. It is a popular gathering place for families as the children take great pride in interacting with the many different species of ducks. In addition to ducks, the duck pond and surrounding grounds, are home to two swans, hundreds of pigeons, double crested cormorants, and many species of songbirds.

Tufted duck flying over the surface of the duck pond at Bowring Park, NL.

Swans wading in the duck pond at Bowring Park, the morning light reflecting their image on the surface of the pond.

Please continue to follow my blog as I showcase more amazing tourist attractions in eastern Newfoundland.

Sandra Murray, owner of Murray House Vacation Home and writer of Newfoundland Travel Blog