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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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 -
4 votes
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Preference of Concept E over D with a few additional suggestions
- grass and trees is not important in this space, more interesting would be plantings and/or gardens featuring native species
- would like to see municipal presence in this space, maybe not Town Hall but some sort of year round municipal administration presence like economic development, rec/culture, planning, environment/ community sustainability, etc. --> something where the Town can lease out some space in this area
- any possible joint services with Sheridan College in this area or anywhere in the downtown core?
0 votes -
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 -
3 votes
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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 -
Better because there's more grass. ... and please use real grass.
With so much hardscaping, a large grass area is really needed. The design is also nicer. Much less "busy" looking.
6 votes -
Its okay
I would like to see a tourist attraction like the Toronto sign but with the Oakville logo instead. People would post pics on social media which will be good for tourism. Whichever concept is chosen please avoid steep ramps. Those are hard for people with walkers/wheelchairs. I don't like concrete barriers or pillars. Make sure to use real grass on green spaces. I like to see milkweed & plants than insects use for pollination to sustain their population. I'd like to have one clock tower but not scattered lamposts ike in concept E. Some artwork or sculture would be cool.…
1 vote -
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 -
I think the 'Facelift' concept is nicer because it incorporates more green space whereas the hybrid option is too concrete
I travelled to Oslo this past summer, and the city uses very heavy, metal planters as traffic stops. I think this would be a great option over the standing metal pegs seen just south of the main cross walk - https://www.newsinenglish.no/2017/11/07/oslo-uses-flowers-against-terrorists/
7 votes -
4 votes
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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 -
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 -
2 votes
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like Concept E best!
Concept E
8 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
Keep the clock now in the square. It fits with a town square and is a convenience when downtown. The music coming from it is nice on special occasions too.
Lots of large trees to provide shade and the existing water feature on the east wall should also remain10 votes -
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 -
K.I.S.S. and think of the other 8 months : designers and AHJs read this !
2018.11.02 2130hrs please don't spend any more time on this .. keep it simple .. consider the other 3 seasons .. if you like to draw as much as you do (and I do, I'm an architect) consider a winter setting with snow and salt .. lose the grass idea - this is as urban a setting as there is and not enough space to make grass work without extensive maintenance (I can see all of the snow fence and T-poles around the grass every spring) .. embrace your nearby Dog training facility and think of this as another great…
2 votes -
3 votes
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4 votes