One of the park's present recreational facilities, this one for the little ones, is the park's Spray Park, set at the northwest corner of the park. Officially opened on September 29, 1990, this spray park was built with donated labor and donated materials, with no less than 42 businesses and individuals donating either labor, materials or both. In the spray park, as well as the usual water jets and water cannons, there is a fountain which empties into a concrete canoe - sit in a canoe full of cold water for the ultimate in keeping cool on a hot day.
Elsewhere in the park are several picnic tables and benches and, at the rear, a washroom and changing building. At the western edge is a large playground; at the eastern end a ball diamond. Near the western edge is the
Billy Barker Days headquarters building; in front of the museum is a heritage rose garden. During Billy Barker Days, LeBourdais Park is the site of a midway, the focal point of the festival, Quesnel's largest annual blowout.
LeBourdais Park
In 1963 the park was named in honor of Louis LeBourdais.
He was a telegraph operator, amateur historian and a very popular politician, who represented the Cariboo in the BC Legislature from 1937-1947.
He is buried on the edge of the Quesnel Pioneer Cemetery, overlooking the park.
THIS LOCATION HAS SERVED AS A GATHERING PLACE FOR SPORTING EVENTS AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
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in 1912, a cricket pitch and a race track were constructed on Chew Doy Foo's field. He was known locally as "China Charlie."
- The annual Dominion and Labor Day celebrations featured a parade through town to the track, followed by a baseball game, athletic competitions and horse races.
- Quesnel's first golf course, the Willingdon Links, was located in the vicinity from 1930-1956.
- Stock car races were a popular attraction during the 1950s.
- An outdoor swimming pool was built as a Centennial project in 1967. It was demolished after the construction of the Recreation Center and the Splash Park was built in 1990.
WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE PARK? HOW MANY EVENTS CAN YOU IDENTIFY ON THIS MURAL?
Aboriginal Day, Billy Barker Days, Canada Day, the Highland Games, Relay for Life...
From the Plaque a the rear of the museum