11930 224 Street
Memorial Peace Park, where you stand now, was once known as the Aggie Hall and Grounds (Aggie being short for agriculture) where the Fall Fair (now known as Country Fest) was held annually. Over time, the park has been the site of Maple Ridge High School, Haney Central Elementary School, Cam Neely Arena, and the Centennial Centre & Pool, amongst many other businesses and institutions.
The cenotaph you see before you, which was first erected in 1923 in Maple Ridge Cemetery, was moved after World War II to accommodate the growing crowds that gathered around it every May Day and Remembrance Day. It wasn’t until 2001, however, that it was moved to the very spot you see now, when the area officially became known as Memorial Peace Park, commemorating all those who served and did not return home following the world wars.
Following the paved path east past the cenotaph, you’ll see the famous Memorial Peace Park Bandstand, a fully community-funded project spearheaded by trombonist Tom Walker of the Maple Ridge Concert Band who - after observing how bandstands across America, Europe, the UK were a focal point for bringing their citizens together - dreamt of creating such a keystone of community activity in Maple Ridge. With expansive fundraising efforts by donors like George Price of the Legion and thousands of volunteer hours donated by local residents, the Bandstand was completed in 1994 without using a single taxpayer dollar. It was installed just south of its current location (back when Memorial Peace Park had a pond instead of fountains!) and moved to where it’s found now as the focal point of the park in 2002. Brass plaques encircling its steps recognize the contributions to this unmistakably Maple Ridge piece. The Bandstand was gifted to the community by the Maple Ridge Concert Band for the enjoyment of all, including film crews! Crime thrillers like Tipline Mysteries and How to Murder Your Husband, Hallmarks like A Godwink Christmas and Color My World with Love, and TV dramas like Fire Country and Wild Cards have all used the Bandstand as a key set piece.
Follow the paved path to the plaza on the east side of the Bandstand and I’ll meet you there to talk more things film!
