The City asked you to comment on how you use the park in phase 1 of the engagement survey. More than 400 respondents provided feedback and this has allowed the design team to come up with two distinct options that were shaped by the needs and wants of the community.
Please take a moment to review and respond to the proposed concepts outlined in this survey. These responses from the phase 2 engagement survey will impact the final hybrid plan which will be presented to Council for approval.
The proposed concept plans explore high level visions for the park based on two very different approaches. The goal of these distinct proposals is to offer a look at what Lock 8 can become with small interventions, Option 1 and compare this to a brand-new approach, Option 2 to maximize park use.
Option 1
Option 1 explores adjusting existing uses within the park to maximize current and future potential. This option explores a soft rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and carefully curated new additions to allow for the park to serve users now and well into the future. This approach concentrates on the following strategic moves to achieve a beautiful design while minimizing disruption:
- Rehabilitate the existing pavilion.
- Include interpretive signage and gathering spaces that concentrate on Canal history and offer educational opportunity for park users.
- Remove the existing playground and relocate near the existing skate park in order to concentrate uses and allow for an activity node that is safe and within eyesight for families.
- Remove and relocate the washrooms and water bottle filling stations within existing Seaway building.
- Proposed expanded parking centralized near amenities.
- Proposed new multi-use pathway to allow for safe cycling connections.
- Remove lower tier water feature to allow for a shade structure. This area will become a formalized stage for events
Option 2
Option 2 explores contemplates a brand-new park with no limitations. This option takes the activity of canal and ship watching and builds on this important distinct use. The main pathway mimics the adjacent canal and offers pedestrians long views throughout the park and moments in which the user can gain elevation to maximise views to the passing ships. Earthworks and elevated terrain play a vital role in this approach.
The parking lot is proposed to be constructed near adjacent similar uses to the North of the site. This is complimented with a short-term parking solution near the Skate Park. This allows the remainder of the park to remain for people only with no conflicting uses between vehicles and park users.
This approach concentrates on the following large moves to imagine a world class park:
- Incorporate a 6-meter-wide pedestrian promenade running parallel to the canal. This will become the spine of the park and allow for activities to occur as a branch to this important “canal” for people.
- Remove and rebuild the existing pavilion on an elevated platform surrounded by large stones for steps, seating and gathering. Stones allows park users to site and watch nearby canal activity while the elevated pavilion has uninterrupted views above the fencing.
- Increased pavilion size to allow for events and activities. The size and placement of this feature allows for it to become a key rentable feature that hosts special events.
- Locate parking lot near proposed development area and adjacent proposed parking lot.
- Allow for short term parking near the skate park.
- Remove and rebuild washroom and bottle filling station at proposed plaza area adjacent to parking lot. This new plaza area will act as a “front door” to the park and will house interpretive signage, seating and gathering spaces.
- Pedestrian promenade to have benches along the way to allow for passive use and people watching.
- Pedestrian promenade to allow for space for event tents to sept up on either side and serve as a linear event promenade.
- Incorporate mounds with stone amphitheater seating facing the pedestrian promenade. Back side of slope to be facing the canal to maximize the views and allow for lounging.
- Remove the existing playground and relocate near the existing skate park to concentrate uses and allow for an activity node that is safe and within eyesight for families.
- Proposed new multi-use pathway to allow for safe cycling connections.
- Raised formal stage area with open space and plaza features that support large gathering.
- Updating the existing seaway building to support food vendors and public washrooms. Incorporate a plaza space with flexible seating for families.
- Incorporate water jets to bring water into the park and reflect the water in the canal.
- Formalize a North Plaza space around the lighthouse and tie this into the larger park.
- Expand active use on the Southern edge of the park with the addition of a mogul area to be used by bmx; skateboarders; rollerbladers; etc.
