BETHEL HERITAGE PARK
Winkler’s crown jewel, the Bethel Heritage Park is to be located on a 2.5 acre green space in the centre of the City of Winkler.
The Park’s features symbolize and recall the vision, values, courage and faith which inspired and strengthened our forebears to become the founding families of Winkler. The Entrance Gate boldly illustrates the architectural attributes of our Dutch-Ukrainian-Mennonite forebears announcing the biblically based name “Bethel” for the Park and the Bethel Hospital now remembered. The focal point of the Park will be a Bethesda Fountain symbolic of healing waters in the centre of the park graced on either side by the Veterans Cenotaph and the Conscientious Objectors of WW I & 2.
Cairns will remind us of the Jewish business pioneers and the German immigrant settlers who enhanced the earliest stages of our economic survival. This and more historical features beautifully adorned in trees, shrubs & flowers accompanied with Story Boards along the winding paths will impress and inform those that have come to enjoy a day in the park. A strategically placed, photogenic Gazebo will serve as a centre for group festivities and family pictures. A formal Pavilion will encourage the display and performance of amateur and professional arts, music and drama in the Park.
Planning of the Park began late in 2007 with the assistance of Mennonite Historian & Architect Rudy Friesen of Tokar. With fund raising toward the $1.2 million project well underway construction is to begin in 2009 to be completed in 2010.
This Park project is indeed an historical event of significance for Winkler! It will formally honour our founding people and our heritage. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for our citizens and former “Winklerites” – where ever they have moved – to be a part of all that has gone before and will inspire the future. All capital costs are being privately and corporately donated. A Donor Board located in the Pavilion will remember having contributed to this over-due, commemorative project. Thank you!
Click photos to enlarge:
   
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Sod Turning - April 17, 2009 |
The Park gates begin to take shape - May, 2009 |
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August 2009 |
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