Before becoming part of Rockwood Park, Lily Lake supplied drinking water to the City of Saint John and powered a flour mill.
Downing Vaux, who was son of one of Central Park’s architects, helped to make the plan for Rockwood Park in 1899.
Ice for Saint John homes and businesses was cut from Lily Lake in winter and delivered by horse and wagon until the 1920s.
In 1936, Colonel Charles Drury and Family donated 450 acres (182 hectares) of land to the Park, including Frying Pan Lake and Long Lake.