From the Archives
Doctors McLean District Park
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it is today.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. This month we are highlighting Doctors McLean District Park.
Doctors McLean District Park honours a Vaughan family whose commitment to caring for the community spans nearly a century.
Three generations of the McLean family served as trusted physicians in Vaughan. Dr. Peter Douglas McLean began practising medicine in 1881, followed by his son, Dr. Garnet McLean, who joined the practice in 1911. His grandson, Dr. Charles McLean, continued the family tradition in 1945.
Beyond medicine, the McLean family contributed to local organizations and civic life, helping shape the growing community they called home.
Today, Doctors McLean District Park, located at 8100 Islington Ave., reflects that enduring connection to community. The park blends modern amenities with the area's natural beauty and rich heritage, creating a vibrant space where residents and visitors can gather, play and connect with nature, while carrying the McLean family’s legacy of caring for others into the future.
Learn more about the park at vaughan.ca/DoctorsMcLean.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The following galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
Historical Families of Vaughan
Historical Photography
Past Mayors of Vaughan
Prohibition in Vaughan
Recollections of Rural Vaughan
The Great Depression in Vaughan
The Mary Wood Collection
The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
Vaughan Lodge Fonds
Vaughan Working Environments
Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
and more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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