Jonathan Rogers Park offers playing fields, playground, and spots for resting; a lovely community garden adds colour and vitality to the park. Relax on the grassy slopes and take in the views of downtown Vancouver, or bring a sled to celebrate a rare Vancouver snowfall.
Jonathan Rogers was a real estate developer, contractor, park board commissioner, city councillor and supporter of civic institutions. His wife, Elisabeth, was a generous philanthropist and supporter of many organizations in Vancouver, including the Symphony Society and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Jonathan and Elisabeth lived at 2050 Nelson Street from 1910 to 1945, and Elisabeth continued to live at 2050 Nelson Street until 1960. Jonathan Rogers was born on July 30, 1865, at “Plas Onn,” Glyncorrwg, Denbighshire, Wales. His parents were Edward Rogers and Ann Davis. About 1882, Jonathan went to live in Liverpool, England. In May 1887 he arrived in Vancouver, after travelling on the first transcontinental passenger train through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. By the 1890s, Jonathan had begun buying property in Vancouver. He also built several office buildings and commercial buildings in Vancouver. He became active in many local organizations, including the Y.M.C.A. In 1912, Jonathan built the Rogers Building, which still stands at the northeast corner of Granville Street and Pender Street. Jonathan became a Vancouver alderman in 1906 and 1911. From 1908 until the 1940s he was a park commissioner. Jonathan died in Vancouver on December 8, 1945. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. He left large sums of money for many public causes, including funds for a park near the Vancouver City Hall. By 1958 the city had created Jonathan Rogers Park, which is in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver. It occupies the full block bounded by Seventh Avenue, Manitoba Street, Eighth Avenue and Columbia Street.
