[whattheheck]

^Any word on what the maintenance plan is? Or will it be haphazard/ adhoc, you know - where the weeds will overtake the shrub beds, where loosened pavers will be not replaced, where the select corners will smell like urine and feces and drugs, where dying sidewalk trees won't be replaced (like around Rogers Place), where winter gravel will lay scattered all year round, just cause.

It's not at or near city hall, where the politicians are based, so I am highly concerned in a few years this park will be left to fend for itself and become another item in the long list of deferred maintenance, while the councillors and city admin chase the next shiny big renewal project.

 

[Tropical]

^Any word on what the maintenance plan is? Or will it be haphazard/ adhoc, you know - where the weeds will overtake the shrub beds, where loosened pavers will be not replaced, where the select corners will smell like urine and feces and drugs, where dying sidewalk trees won't be replaced (like around Rogers Place), where winter gravel will lay scattered all year round, just cause.

It's not at or near city hall, where the politicians are based, so I am highly concerned in a few years this park will be left to fend for itself and become another item in the long list of deferred maintenance, while the councillors and city admin chase the next shiny big renewal project.

easy there...

 

[Greenspace]

You concerns are warranted. In this case I am hopeful it will get an 'enhanced' level of care, as that is what was promised throughout the design process. Parks Operations took space in the pavilion building for this very purpose. But we (DECL) will keep an eye on this regardless.

In any case, at least for the first year it will be most-likely under warranty and maintained at a higher level by the contractor.

 

[constance_chlore]

Moving from the Parks thread:

If you haven’t been to Montreal, I highly recommend visiting. In the summer, people flock to parks even those that are just open green spaces with trees and benches. After work, you’ll see people drinking wine, playing basketball, or just relaxing and smoking weed. This can last until midnight in some neighborhoods. Also, keep in mind that Montreal gets much less sunlight than here by 9 p.m., it’s already dark.

Most parks don’t really have much beyond trees, but they’re still full of life. The parks and populations are larger there, sure, but who ever said you need big attractions to draw people in? As long as the space is green and safe, SOME people will be there after dark.

I don't think it's true that Montreal parks don't have much beyond trees. My small local park had a large gazebo/pavilion with summer concerts, film screenings, a concrete ping-pong table, a pétanque court, and tons of benches/chairs. Most other small local parks would have playgrounds, sculpture exhibitions (permanent or temporary), or little displays about history or urban ecology. All the popular grands parcs (Lafontaine, Jarry, Jeanne-Mance/Mont-Royal, Angrignon, etc.) have even more. On arriving in Edmonton, I was kind of shocked at how little there was in most of the parks, with a few exceptions (Borden, Louise McKinney, Paul Kane, some little parks in Old Strathcona, maybe Hawrelak but it's been under construction the whole time I've been here). I don't think that's the primary thing that makes Edmonton parks less busy—that would probably be density, and the fact that people have more space at home for entertaining. But with the exception of the really wild river valley parks, I think most Edmonton parks would probably benefit from having more amenities*, all else the same.

I do think it would be kind of lame if the city shut down the Warehouse/O-day'min Park after 11 PM. It would be nice for people to have a park to hang out in late, and better one in the center of the city where there are eyes on the street and a high tolerance for noise than in the river valley.

*I've often thought that the city should partner with the fine arts department at U of A to take all the sculptures that are just lying around the Fine Arts building and put them in city parks with little plaques

 

[Gronk!]

I wasn't sure if I should post these pics here or in The Parks thread

 

[whattheheck]

I, for one, like the light feature. Don't forget, the trees will grow and in time, and hide some of it. It will look great with the ribbon shining through. (So long as it's maintained.)

This space has the potential to be a much better everyday 'people' space. Churchill Square was that, before it was concreted over and that obnoxious wall/ staircase was put in on the west side. (yes, I know the concrete makes it easier for festivals, but there's no balance)

 

[David A]

Moving from the Parks thread:

I don't think it's true that Montreal parks don't have much beyond trees. My small local park had a large gazebo/pavilion with summer concerts, film screenings, a concrete ping-pong table, a pétanque court, and tons of benches/chairs. Most other small local parks would have playgrounds, sculpture exhibitions (permanent or temporary), or little displays about history or urban ecology. All the popular grands parcs (Lafontaine, Jarry, Jeanne-Mance/Mont-Royal, Angrignon, etc.) have even more. On arriving in Edmonton, I was kind of shocked at how little there was in most of the parks, with a few exceptions (Borden, Louise McKinney, Paul Kane, some little parks in Old Strathcona, maybe Hawrelak but it's been under construction the whole time I've been here). I don't think that's the primary thing that makes Edmonton parks less busy—that would probably be density, and the fact that people have more space at home for entertaining. But with the exception of the really wild river valley parks, I think most Edmonton parks would probably benefit from having more amenities*, all else the same.

I do think it would be kind of lame if the city shut down the Warehouse/O-day'min Park after 11 PM. It would be nice for people to have a park to hang out in late, and better one in the center of the city where there are eyes on the street and a high tolerance for noise than in the river valley.

*I've often thought that the city should partner with the fine arts department at U of A to take all the sculptures that are just lying around the Fine Arts building and put them in city parks with little plaques

Good idea, sculptures like that would be really nice and more people could see/enjoy them.

 

[Out of Towner]

Moving from the Parks thread:

I don't think it's true that Montreal parks don't have much beyond trees. My small local park had a large gazebo/pavilion with summer concerts, film screenings, a concrete ping-pong table, a pétanque court, and tons of benches/chairs. Most other small local parks would have playgrounds, sculpture exhibitions (permanent or temporary), or little displays about history or urban ecology. All the popular grands parcs (Lafontaine, Jarry, Jeanne-Mance/Mont-Royal, Angrignon, etc.) have even more. On arriving in Edmonton, I was kind of shocked at how little there was in most of the parks, with a few exceptions (Borden, Louise McKinney, Paul Kane, some little parks in Old Strathcona, maybe Hawrelak but it's been under construction the whole time I've been here). I don't think that's the primary thing that makes Edmonton parks less busy—that would probably be density, and the fact that people have more space at home for entertaining. But with the exception of the really wild river valley parks, I think most Edmonton parks would probably benefit from having more amenities*, all else the same.

I do think it would be kind of lame if the city shut down the Warehouse/O-day'min Park after 11 PM. It would be nice for people to have a park to hang out in late, and better one in the center of the city where there are eyes on the street and a high tolerance for noise than in the river valley.

*I've often thought that the city should partner with the fine arts department at U of A to take all the sculptures that are just lying around the Fine Arts building and put them in city parks with little plaques

Here's another part of the reality of people hanging out at parks late at night.

MONTREAL — A 22-year-old man is dead and two people are injured after a stabbing in a Montreal park on Saturday night.

Police were called to the scene in the St-Laurent borough at about 9:15 p.m. after a 911 call.

Three injured people were taken to hospital where the 22-year-old was declared dead.

 

[kcantor]

I, for one, like the light feature. Don't forget, the trees will grow and in time, and hide some of it. It will look great with the ribbon shining through. (So long as it's maintained.)

This space has the potential to be a much better everyday 'people' space. Churchill Square was that, before it was concreted over and that obnoxious wall/ staircase was put in on the west side. (yes, I know the concrete makes it easier for festivals, but there's no balance)

The other programming concern when it comes to Churchill Square is that it's not even close to level. While this was intended to have it act somewhat as a amphitheater, the grades aren't steep enough for it work as an amphitheater but they're too steep for things like 3 on 3 basketball or street hockey etc. to work well either.

 

[northlands]

Is that fresh sod I spy?

 

[thommyjo]

Is that fresh sod I spy?
View attachment 675447

Next week is very hot. So they better get the sprinklers out!

 

[Barnaby]

Just walking by it. You guys are going to hate me, but I think it's better than Emery Barnes Park in Vancouver. Having actually been to both.

Have most of the haters of this spot laid their own eyes on it yet?

Next week is very hot. So they better get the sprinklers out!

The sprinklers are going right now.

 

[yeggator]

Just walking by it. You guys are going to hate me, but I think it's better than Emery Barnes Park in Vancouver. Having actually been to both.

Which is crazy to say here because Emery Barnes has a fountain

 

[David A]

Which is crazy to say here because Emery Barnes has a fountain

 

[TAS]

View attachment 675595

Wow everybody - look at all that concrete!