Ritchie Park 1914

According to the Real Property Act of 1914, Sinclair B. Ritchie and Robert Lorne Richardson transferred lots 3 to 8, and lots A to E, block 5, Subdivision Plan No. 729 to the Village of Winnipeg Beach for use as a public park. This area was located on the waterfront east of Hazel Avenue. The village developed tennis courts and lawn bowling greens within the park, and named it after Ritchie, who had donated most of the land. Women were not permitted to lawn bowl. Tennis tournaments were held here in the early days. By 1934 there were nine shale courts in the town. After play finished, the young men dressed in flannels would be served tea in the verandas of cottages of socially prominent ladies. Veranda teas had become fashionable. The local boys and city boys used to congregate at the park in the 40s and 50s.