Richard Pierpoint Park

drip

Opened in 1967, this passive park features an 18-hole disc golf course, trails and a community garden. Originally constructed to mark Canada’s Centennial and named Centennial Gardens, the park was renamed in 2021 to Richard Pierpoint Park.

The story of the Black residents of St. Catharines goes back to the earliest post-colonial history of the community. Richard Pierpoint is one of the community’s earliest settlers. Pierpoint was enslaved for nearly 20 years before regaining his freedom. During the American Revolutionary War, enslaved people who fought on the side of the British were promised freedom in exchange for their military service. This is how Richard Pierpoint came to fight with Butler’s Rangers, a Loyalist unit.

Following his military service, Pierpoint was granted 200 acres of land in Grantham Township – located between modern day Geneva Street and Oakdale Avenue, a portion of which is occupied by this park. During the War of 1812, at the age of 68 years old, Pierpoint fought for the British and was instrumental in the creation of the first all-Black military unit.

According to oral history, Pierpoint was a gifted storyteller who travelled around the province sharing stories with members of the Black communities. He died in the winter of 1837-38 and his burial place remains unknown.