“A real place keeps us mindful of nature, as it keeps us mindful of history. In the built environment one feels the presence of the living environment—in parks, gardens, bike and pedestrian trails, river corridors, beaches, urban forests, and yards given over to native plants, and in all the creatures, from crows to coyotes, that share the place with our two-legged kind.” ~ Scott Russell Sanders, The Geography of Somewhere
Where do people gather in your place? These are the commons - the public spaces where everyone is welcome. Consider the following questions, which I’ve answered for my own place.
In what ways does the community gather and interact in your place? How do people come together?
I live in a small and bustling tourist town. There is a Main Street with shopping and restaurants and coffee shops, which is where tourists and locals meander and gather. Lake Ontario is a big draw and there are several parks along the lake where people gather for sunsets, picnics, and recreational activities. There is a nice trail for walking or bicycling along the Niagara River.
There are other parks in town. One is called the Commons, which is a favourite for dog walkers. Simcoe Park has a bandshell for music and open space for festivals. Recently, our town completed the Voices of Freedom Park, dedicated to those of African descent who found freedom here. The memorial sculptures are magnificent. It’s a place of quiet reflection.
We have a farmer’s market every week in the summer and there was a weekly dinner market before Covid that has not yet resumed. Other popular gathering places include the local library and the Community Center.
What festivals or ritual gatherings is your place known for?
We have many public festivals here that are occasions to meet others in the community, anchored by our monthly “fruit” festivals - strawberries, cherries. peaches, and grapes - which take place at different churches or on the Main Street. In the winter, there is an annual Icewine Festival and a Christmas Parade. There are also outdoor ice rinks for people to come together to skate, a favourite Canadian pastime. For the summer months, there is a Chardonnay Festival and Jazz Festival.
Where do you find public art or experience public performances?
I can’t think of any public art here, but the history of this place is rich and there are markers and sculptures marking points of historical significance. The history museum offers historical walking tours and there is even a ghost tour.
As far as musical performances go, these usually occur during one of the monthly festivals. Paid event gatherings include the Shaw Festival theatre, Fort George (which is a replica of the Fort that was integral to the War of 1812). And, there is an outdoor concert venue at a winery which operates during the summer months.
How walkable is your place?
One of the very best qualities of my town is that it’s highly walkable. I’ve never lived in a place where I can easily walk to doctors and dentists, restaurants and coffee shops, and even a grocery store. Now I know what an advantage this is, and not only for my health. I would really miss this if I moved somewhere else. Bicycles and e-bike rentals are readily available. There is some public transportation but it’s limited. Getting here is another matter and almost always requires a car.
Many public spaces had to adapt during the pandemic. How did your place change and what’s endured?
Of course, the most visible change in my tourist town is the emergence of patios for eating at restaurants and coffee shops, a very welcome addition in my opinion and one that will last. The library and museum have mobile popup operations that make their services more accessible to people with mobility or transportation limitations. The theatre has been offering more outdoor performances as well. Personally, I and I think many others, got out to parks and hiking trails more during this period, and I hope that trend will continue. But, Ontario parks have had to limit access so that they’re not overcrowded.
Read: 6 Trends in Placemaking via Project for Public Spaces, an interesting article about six trends that emerged from the pandemic in terms of placemaking and transportation.
I hope this gets you thinking about the value of public spaces and where people gather in your place.
Practice
Answer the questions above for your own place.
Go to a public space - a farmers’ market, a park, the library, a shopping area - and just sit and watch how people move and interact. What surprises you? What makes a public space great?
Resources
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces via The Marginalian
Reimagining the Public Library in Fulton County, Georgia