the area was the first modern suburb of the city of st. john's, and one of the first residential suburbs in all of canada, with development plans dating back as early as 1944. initially, it was planned to be a "garden city," with single-family homes on small cul-de-sacs, generous lots, serviced with nearby parks and trails. post-confederation, development of the area changed to include social housing blocks and housing cooperatives, which remain today in the west end of churchill park. the architecture and design was planned by paul meschino.