Jane Mance Park (or “Fletcher’s Field”) is a city park in Montreal. The park is located in the Le Plateau-Mont Royale area on Park Avenue opposite Mount Mont Royale.
The history of Jane Mance Park dates back, in fact, to the second half of the 19th century, when the Montreal authorities acquired land in and around Mount Royale for the city. Because of the nearby farm of which Mr. Fletcher was the owner, the area of today’s park quickly acquired the name “Fletcher’s Field. At various times Fletcher’s Field was used as a military plaza, golf course, and soccer field. In 1878 the Montreal exhibition center Crystal Palace was located there (the building was completely destroyed by fire in July 1896).
The park received its present name in honor of one of the founders of Montreal – French nurse Jane Mance (also known as the founder of the city’s oldest hospital – Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal). The idea was first voiced at the Montreal Eucharist Congress in 1910 and was widely supported by the public, but officially the “Fletcher’s Field” was renamed “Parc Jane Mans” only in 1990.
Today, Jane Mance Park is one of the best places in Montreal for outdoor activities or a Sunday picnic. You’ll find a soccer field, tennis courts, softball field, children’s playgrounds and more. In summer the park has a children’s pool, and in winter there are two skating rinks – one for free skating and the other for team sports (usually open from mid-December to mid-March).