The Old Burial Ground

The restoration of Canada’s oldest burial ground for use as a public park.

The Old Burial Ground in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada dates from 1783, shortly after the Loyalists arrived from New England. It is situated close to the heart of the city and forms a focal space for its historic core and many of the city’s most attractive and oldest buildings. As Canada’s oldest graveyard, it is of great historic importance, but unfortunately by the late Twentieth Century it had become neglected and dilapidated.

As a partner of his previous practice, Peter Richards worked for several years in Canada overseeing the sensitive restoration of the grounds, whilst at the same time transforming it into a new city park. The focal point of the park was a contemporary fountain with sculpted bronze beavers as its centre piece.

The success of the park was recognised by its popularity with the city, receiving several Canadian awards as well as the British Landscape Institute Biennial Design Award.