Have a memory of Kitchener's Victoria Park? This documentary photographer wants to hear it

Kitchener's Victoria Park opened in 1896 and is known by many for its bridges, swans, pavilion and picturesque green spaces.

But it's also been home to the Land Back Camp, a place where people have gathered to grieve and remember the children whose remains were found at former residential schools and it has seen protests including red paint being thrown on the statue of Queen Victoria.

The park holds many stories and documentary photographer Colin Boyd Shafer wants to hear about them for a new project he's working on.

He joined CBC K-W's The Morning Edition to talk to host Craig Norris about the project and why he's asking the community for help.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Craig Norris: Give us an idea of what you're looking for from people. 

Colin Boyd Shafer: Well, the pandemic, for me personally, I live in an apartment without a balcony. It's right near Victoria Park, so it gave me a lot of time to walk through Victoria Park as I tried to still remain a part of society as I was looking after a new baby. 

And it got me thinking about how important these green spaces are to all societies and in particular, Victoria Park to Kitchener. 

So this project, which has received a Region of Waterloo Arts Fund grant, is focused on the park's history as well as how people use it today.

So, I'm trying to find archival photos and archival items, I guess you could say, as well as connecting with all different members of our greater community who have a special connection or a memory or story to the park and to create this project that combines the old and new and, you know, can really be a piece that maybe in 100 years people can look back on and remember what it was like today, but also see what it was like 100 years ago, because the information that I've been uncovering has completely blown my mind. 

The park today is so different than it was before. 

CN: Now, you have started an Instagram account for this. One of the first photos is of you and your mom taken in 1986 at the park. Tell us a bit about that. What do you remember from that day? 

CBS: Well, to be honest, Craig, I have a horrible memory, but I think that's part of the beauty of photography, right? It reminds us of things that we did. 

When I see that photograph, it's funny because now I have a daughter who's almost the same age that I was in that picture and we do the same types of things. And in fact, the hill that I'm on with my mother is the same little tobogganing hill that you'll find there today.