Rothesay Common Live Cam

The Historic Foundations of Rothesay Common

Rothesay Common stands as a testament to 19th-century urban design and community planning, reflecting the evolution of public green spaces in Atlantic Canada. Established shortly after the extension of the European and North American Railway through the Kennebecasis Valley in the 1850s, the Common emerged when New Brunswick travel enthusiasts began seeking summer retreats outside Saint John, NB. Wealthy merchants and professionals from Saint John built elegant summer homes in Rothesay, catalyzing the creation of a central public space to host social gatherings and leisure activities. Known today as a premier heritage park in New Brunswick, Rothesay Common history is intertwined with British concepts of communal greens, adapted to Canadian landscapes and climate.