The City of Hamilton is currently undertaking a public art process to select a work or works of art to be installed in Dundas Driving Park, and one of those pieces has a direct link to the history of harness racing in the area.

A jury of volunteer citizens and artists has reviewed 16 artists’ submissions and has short-listed five for public consultation. Before they meet to select the winning proposal the group is soliciting public opinion.

Artists were asked to propose works that are reflective of existing pedestrian movement through the park, with themes consistent with the history and memory in the historical and physical context of the Town of Dundas and the Dundas Driving Park.

Vilnis Cultural Design Works has been short-listed with its proposed Dundas Park Story Benches. The 'Harness Racing Story Bench' is one of four designs in its proposal.

The Harness Racing Story Bench is located along the pedestrian walkway close to the present ring road which follows the route of the former oval driving track. The bench shows swift horses pulling a sulky, and is inscribed with the following words:

In the 1860s, the Dundas Driving Park Association installed an oval track for harness racing, creating one of Canada’s earliest race courses. The thud of horse hooves on a dirt race track has given way to the rhythm of car tires on asphalt.

The artists’ maquettes (models) of the proposed art works will be on display and city staff will be available to answer questions at the Hamilton Public Library on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

To view all the proposals (and to vote for the harness racing bench), click the following link: Dundas Driving Park Phase 2 Public Art Project Public Opinion Survey