Parks

River John Parks

Parks

Anna Sutherland Bissell Memorial Park

"Bissell Park" is the small central park located in the centre of River John Village. A native of River John, Anna Bissell was a successful businesswoman in an age when the manufacturing business was considered a field for men only. At 19, she married Melville Bissell and became joint partner in their crockery and china business. When he invented the carpet sweeper in 1876, Anna became a traveling salesperson.

After her husband's death she became the chief executive officer of the company. She moved Bissell carpet sweepers into the international market and by 1899 had created the largest organization of its kind in the world. Anna introduced progressive labor policies including workmen's compensation and pension plans long before these practices were widespread in industry.

Anna Bissell was a charter member of the Ladies Literary Club, a life member of the Women's City Club and an active member of Zonta. She served on the board of the Clark Memorial Home and was for years the sole woman member of the National Hardware Men's Association. She was the President of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company from 1889 - 1931 and died in 1934.

Colonel Dan Sutherland Memorial Park

Col. Dan Sutherland Park was built in 1975. It was built from funds donated by the River John Lions Club and the River John and Area Recreation and Development Association.

The park consists of a ball field, children's playground, and park. The ballfield is used annually during River John Festival days for children and adult events and also throughout the summer and fall for ball tournaments.

The Colonel Dan Sutherland Memorial Park is located .5 km from River John on the West Branch Road.

River John Remembrance Garden

River John Remembrance Garden is located at the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 108, 2 km from River John on the West Branch Road.

Elaine Reid Memorial

Elaine was a very active worker in the community of River John and surrounding area. She was a member of St. George's Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder, secretary of the board of managers and other offices within the church. She was a member of the River John Festival Committee since its beginning in 1986. Elaine was also a member of the RJ Ladies' group, the Winter Carnival, the River John Community Choir and was always ready to organize any events that would arise.
She was noted in the community for her "delicious" brown bread and was always taking home baking to the sick and elderly. She was honoured locally and provincially for her volunteerism over the years.

River John War Memorial

Erected in grateful remembrance of those who served in past conflicts including World War I, World War II, the Korean War and U.N. Peace Keeping Force.
To view a complete list of the names inscribed on the Memorial visit the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library's War Cenotaph website.

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