Angus McDonald - Kamloops, BC - Citizen Memorials on Waymarking.com

Angus McDonald of McDonald Park

McDonald Park is located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of the North Shore. It is the site of a once much larger park called Alexandra Park. Land of about 40 acres in size was originally purchased by the Kamloops Agricultural Association in 1901 for use as an exhibition ground. It was used for everything from agricultural displays, fairs and horse races, to a campsite for the Rocky Mountain Rangers. The exhibition was never a financial success and the Association struggled to maintain the fair and pay their debts. The park land was leased and sold many times.

BC Fruitlands owned owned much of the land surrounding Alexandra Park which was planted in orchards. Angus McDonald was secretary of BC Fruitlands from 1923 until his death in 1846. He lived all those years in the vicinity of Alexandra Park. McDonald came to Canada from Scotland in 1911 and worked his way across Canada to Kamloops and Vernon where he worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. He joined BC Fruitlands as secretary in 1923.

McDonald was popularly called "Wee Man". He was well known for his involvement in the Brocklehurst community. He served as secretary on the Fruitlands School Board and held many other secretarial postings over the years. He was a veteran of World War I and an active member of the local legion.

Angus McDonald died in 1946 at age 65, just as the village of North Kamloops was incorporated and the North Shore was beginning to increase in population and activity. Much of the old Alexandra Park was sold to a developer for a new housing development, but a core area remained for use as a neighbourhood park. A local resident and long time friend and neighbour of Angus McDonald suggested that the new park be re-named after Angus McDonald as a tribute to a much loved North Shore pioneer. The suggestion was accepted and McDonald Park was born.
From the Plaque