Skeleton Park LbNA #58757

McBurney Park is the recreational open air heart of downtown Kingston. Originally a military burying ground established in 1816. It then became the principal cemetery for Kingston for more than 40 years and was closed in 1864 due to overcrowding. The cemetery fell into disrepair and some 30 years later was given to the city and turned into a park. Before levelling could begin the churches requested that the remains be relocated to another cemetery. This job was a fiasco. Far more bodies were found than expected, often piled high in waterlogged graves. Fear of an epidemic and threat of quarantine of the port of Kingston halted the exhumations after an estimated 540 remains had been removed, leaving an unknown number still there. The park was landscaped and christened in the summer of 1893. Locals took to calling it skeleton park for obvious reason. It now has a playground, wading pool benches and picnic tables with many mature trees and is home to an outdoor skating rink in the winter, making it a very popular spot year round.

To the park from 401 Exit at Division Street, Turn right and head south on Division St towards downtown through 9 traffic lights to Pine St(new water park 2 blocks to the right)Turn left on Pine St to the end and right on Patrick St up the hill to the park. McBurney Park borders Balaclava, Alma and Ordnance Streets. Park anywhere around the park. Make your way to the middle of the park, to the circular raised planter where you will find a plaque placed by the historical society.

To the box Facing north (you will see a very large monument at the far edge of the park, you may wish to visit later) Turn right and walk down sidewalk towards building (warming hut for skating) do not leave park. On the left is a hedge. What you seek is in this hedge near a yellow covered cable closest to the 2 hydro poles, in a small black taped lock n lock.