Towne Square Concept E - Facelift
As part of our plan to revitalize Oakville’s historic downtown, the town is redesigning Towne Square, a small but unique public space located at 210 Lakeshore Road. Building on the work done on the downtown streetscape design, a new design for Towne Square will enhance the vibrancy of the neighbourhood and provide more opportunities for public events.
A few things to keep in mind:
- If you like some elements from one design, but other elements from another, feel free to take a mix and match approach. Please clearly indicate your preferences in your comments.
- Most of Towne Square is built over an underground parking garage, making it a challenge to plant trees in the space.
Show your support for other people’s comments
You have ten votes (maximum three votes per comment), so use them to show support for your favourite comment(s). Remember to visit often. You can always change your vote as new comments come in.
For more information on this project and additional opportunities to provide input, visit the Towne Square Redevelopment page.
The deadline to provide feedback is January 14, 2019.
47 results found
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Instagram worthy
Love the progress and that the grass is back. Keep grass over turf. I prefer Concept E. The linear seating and plantings stand out. For those questioning if kids use the space, they do, without a doubt. The square is an attraction and can be marketed (along with Oakville) via the public’s social media feeds. Include something to prompt social pics/posts. It can be done tastefully ie with an art installation. This is the trend at the AGO with Infinity Mirrors and the upcoming Happy Place in Toronto, for example. The ‘downtown’ sign that’s in the square now is good…
5 votes -
This is a nice concept. Real grass should be used. A more natural feel and softer to walk on. Plenty of large trees to provide shade
As I said, lots of natural grass and plenty of large shade trees to make sitting comfortable. This square should be a gathering place for young and old. Soften the pavement design. Busy patterns will become outdated quickly.
5 votes -
Concept e
Prefer concept E. as much greenery and seating as possible
5 votes -
5 votes
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4 votes
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Smaller west walkway and larger common area with benches, small stage and sound system
I think the area needs more transformation. Reduce the size of the walkway and increase the grass and seating area. Add some benches for older citizens instead of only stone wall seating. Add a small stage and a sound system the covers the seating area. Trees, grass, flowers, events and sound would provide a very attractive and useable outdoor venue to bring everyone downtown.
4 votes -
Try to create a modern workspace
I like Concept E -- more green is always good! Maybe even incorporate free WiFi for productive lunch meetings, to send a quick email, or finish homework for school.
It would certainly attract more people, have them stay longer in the park, and adds an element of social media-use which younger age groups would be attracted by.
I'd say spend the money and create a space that's unique and memorable for people to take pictures and be productive in.
4 votes -
4 votes
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4 votes
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A Facelift Isn't Enough
The competition for consumers is higher than ever. Experiential environments are now expected. There's no Wow factor with a Facelift. Simply take a walk through any mall redevelopment to understand what's happening.
We can, and need, to do better to attract and retain consumers to downtown Oakville. The status quo is merely death waiting to happen.4 votes -
I like Concept E but there is no water feature. Can a wall of running water be added?
A wall of running water would be an excellent feature.
4 votes -
It is my preferred option as a Facelift, since there is so much about the current format that works.
This is about designing places for people, who are drawn by shade & seating. It must be an attractive, comfortable "destination" no matter where one lives in oakville. Open George Street & part of Lakeshore for events to expand the public area when needed so that stages won't interfere with trees, grass, seating & capacity in the Square itself. Encourage shuttle buses/public transit to Downtown to ease need for parking or "car storage". Return Downtown to pedestrians, strrollers & those biking. No silver bullet to revive Downtown, but attractive "people places" are the best start.
3 votes -
3 votes
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Prefer Concept E with some fir/pines for winter green
Prefer Concept E with reminder to consider other 3 seasons and maintenance required. Trees please as well as some pine/fir trees for winter
3 votes -
3 votes
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3 votes
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3 votes
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E is better than D because E has more trees & a larger grasses area
Maximize shade with trees. Generous built seating (ledges) is important. Organized events need space and seating but give design priority more for the 90% of user time, not the 10% of envent times. Skating failed. Consider instead installing a temporary winter tobogganing slope using available ledge seating.
3 votes -
Better than current condition but not there yet!
As a space that is meant for year-round events, the design graphics don't explain enough. How might the Christmas Tree lighting be staged? Where would a 'Midnight Madness' stage be located? It seems that new trees are proposed in exactly the spot where stages have traditionally be placed - SW corner of the green. So, more thought about how to accommodate current and potentially new programming is essential if the a remake is going to be worth the money spent. After all, we all want this space to be even more active and hospitable than the current condition.
2 votes -
love it. great layout and versatily. great seating great shade.
Love Concept E. I would suggest adding a small artistic water feature in the form of a moving sculpture. Water would cool the concrete in hot days and dampen the street sounds. And perhaps promote a local artist or historical point of interest.
2 votes