In 1885, the Province of Ontario established The Niagara Parks Commission as part of an international effort to preserve the natural scenery around Niagara Falls. Originally led by Colonel Casimir Gzowski as chairman, with John W. Langmuir and J. Grant Macdonald, it was responsible for keeping admission free to the public while making the park self-financing. The commissioners acquired parkland along the Niagara River to create Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park, which opened on May 24, 1888. Beginning as a 62.2 hectare park, it grew into a 1720-hectare park along the full length of the Niagara River, including nationally and provincially significant historic sites, botanical gardens, a horticultural school, and recreation areas, while remaining financially self-sufficient.