Support the development of the Town Square Park at 84 Hurontario
Support the development of the Town Square Park at 84 Hurontario.
This park is right across the road from Town Hall and has the potential to connect
the historic main street and City Hall to the farmers market, parking, and Pine St. restaurants and businesses.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to green and beautify the Historic Downtown Collingwood.
Over the summer, survey results were collected from the public asking the question, "Would residents like a park here and if so how would they like to use this public space?"
Over 500 respondents were in favour of a park (and 6 were opposed)
The collected data and observations were presented to the Town Council on Nov 6th, 2023.
Are there individuals and groups that would like to support the development of Town Square Park? Please contact us @ collingwoodtownsquarepark@gmail.com
How can we gather together in effective advocacy of the park project?
We have formed the Committee for a Collingwood Town Square Park at 84 Hurontario. First meeting Nov 13 at 6 pm at the Library. 2nd meeting will be January 10th at 6pm.
Work with the Downtown Visioning Master Plan Process to support a park.
Work with the Town Council to gather support for building a beautiful park!
Make a lasting positive impact on the downtown!
A Brief History:
In early 2023, the Collingwood Town Council bought 84 Hurontario from a developer who had planned a condo development on the site. It is currently an empty lot across the street from City Hall. The image that was shown to the public at this time was a mock-up of the site showing it as a Town Square Park (the image at the top of this page). Here is an article published in January 2023 about the Town's "once in a life-time opportunity" acquisition.
Status Today:
The BIA and the Town have committed resources to invest and animate the space.
In late June 2023, there was a temporary/thin asphalt layer applied over the broken concrete pad in the back 2/3 of the site to make it safe for people. A central path with grass, planters, a bike rack, a shed, and benches were added. A beautiful 'Postcard Mural' was installed by the BIA with the help of a federal grant. Electricity for events and lighting is in progress. Below are some photos from Collingwood Today of the community activities in this space on July 1, 2023.
The park has been well used for Canada Day, The Red Shoe Walk, Art Crawl, Halloween, and there are plans for a Christmas Market and Cidery Event.
The owner of the neighbouring building at 78 Hurontario has offered to restore the 1880 south wall to become an attractive heritage feature of the Collingwood Town Square Park (see the mock-up below) when the Town decides to make a permanent park here.
Concerns have arisen that the Town may consider other uses for this property such as parking or additional municipal offices. This community project supports the plan for a permanent Collingwood Town Square Park.
Our next meeting is Feb 28th 6pm-7pm in upstairs meeting room @ All Saints Anglican Church (57 Elgin St next to the Library) The door at the top of the ramp off our parking lot will be unlocked Everyone is welcome!
Here is a concept image of what the restored South wall of the adjacent building might/could look like. Note the large "postcard selfy mural" may become a destination photo location for tourists and residents.
Also the restored 1880 brickwork with the white paint that was applied in the 50's is removed, and the bricked-in windows reopened, and the top of the wall is given historically sympathetic embellishments to add beauty and uniqueness to the public Town Square Park.