MASTERPLAN AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS

ST.JAMES PARK MASTERPLAN AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS Stakeholder Meeting 3 April 26, 2016 Team: PMA Landscape Architects Ltd. Lead Landscape Architects MASS LBP Public Facilitation Consultant RAW Design Architectural Consultant

INTRODUCTIONS

PROJECT OVERVIEW The project scope of work includes the development of a master plan for St. James Park and establishing the scope towards the Phase 1 implementation. MASTER PLAN OBJECTIVES Preserve and protect what is well-loved in the park Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the neighbourhood Consider the short and long-term demands on the park Integrate new playground Integrate new pavilion in honour of Michael Comstock Improve accessibility, circulation and overall functionality of the park Support the cultural and social programming in the park

TIMELINE Design and Public Consultation in 2016 Implementation* anticipated in 2017 *Phase 1 will include a new playground, pavilion and improvements to paving and walkways, at minimum.

MEETING OBJECTIVES A: Present preferred concept B: Confirmation of elements within preferred concept Specific confirmation on: site planning and layout of major program elements (i.e. pavilion, playground, circulation) pavilion concept playground visioning typical entrance concept & heritage interpretation lighting

What We Heard Understanding the Vision

WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU Support upgrading and minor widening of primary circulation paths Playground: consider themed and sculptural concepts that integrate nature and natural materials Prioritize preservation of open green Scale, scope and contextual reference of pavilion are important Connecting cathedral lands to park Lighting to be subtle, functional, creative, flexible. safe and permanent Pavilion to focus on day-to-day use Art, creativity, recreation and heritage to be included in design approach

UNDERSTANDING THE VISION Celebrate and enhance the existing character: as an established and well-loved park that continues its role as a green oasis and meeting place, as well as a place to reveal the rich history about the neighbourhood Historic Heart The Retreat Where it Happens Family Fun Connected and Entertaining *Gehl Architects & 8-80 cities, St. James Park: People Make Places, December, 2012

DESIGN APPROACH Maintain the character of the park Pedestrian priority Ensure flexibility in programming Celebrate the neighbourhood, especially its history and identity as cultural epicentre Use quality materials and best-practices details to ensure longevity Use play as art or art as play

Preferred Master Plan Concept

MASTER PLAN PREFERRED CONCEPT ADELAIDE STREET ENTRY PLAZA ENTRY PLAZA OPEN LAWN SECONDARY WALKWAY CHURCH STREET CENTRAL PLAZA/ EVENT SPACE PAVILION/ STAGE PLAYGROUND SECONDARY WALKWAY JARVIS STREET FORMAL GARDEN ENTRY PLAZAKING STREET ENTRY PLAZA

Typical Entry Plaza, Northwest Entry, entering at Adelaide Street Paving

Heritage interpretation to enhance park entry experience ST. JAMES PARK Heritage Precedent Impressed concrete/pavers Found at St. James Cathedral Heritage Precedent Streetbond application Cathedral Creek (Lost River) Heritage Precedent Bronze/Brass inlay heritage mapping Old Town of York Heritage Precedent Laser cut & back-lit corten steel St. James Park Rendering

Bird s-eye from King Street

View from Market Street

Plaza and Pavilion

Central plaza towards Pavilion

View from Adelaide St. Northwest Corner

View from Northwest Corner

View from Adelaide St. and Jarvis St. Northeast corner

View from Walkway to Plaza

View from Jarvis St. across playground

View from Southeast Entry Plaza

View from King St. Southwest Corner

View from Cathedral

STATS Formal and informal seating 33 total 1.8m-length benches (currently approx. 33 benches) 133 lin. m of continuous benches, seatwalls and terraces approx. 216-321 seating Tree canopy 156 trees total 8 are poor to fair condition 28 trees to be removed min. 8 can be transplanted 6 of those are in poor condition currently Event capacity at central plaza area ±380 sq. m/ 4115 sq. ft (currently plaza is ±150 sq. m) max. capacity 510 people standing/ seated

Playground Concepts

WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU ART: Support for artful heritage elements in the playground SIZE: Appropriate to overall size of park SAFETY: concern with loitering and safety. Design must consider permeable site-lines SITING: Should be away from the street and away from the quieter areas of the park. Preferred east quadrant to alleviate programming of north open green. Buffer required bwetween street and playground INTEGRATE: all ages - heard both make it all ages and make it only for the young children ; Make it as all ages as possible (consider youth, consider aging population, entire family etc.) Fitness elements within the play equipment or elements AGE: Debate over the target age - some say only for young and some say all ages. MATERIAL: Palette to integrate nature/ natural elements, colour Use colour sparingly and in an elegant way that blends with the context

PLAYGROUND APPROACH Size the playground appropriately to the park- do not overwhelm East quadrant siting- buffer or fencing required between Jarvis St. and the playground Integrate nature and natural materials Use colour sparingly and in an elegant way that blends with the context Ensure the equipment is visually and physically permeable, for good sight lines and to discourage loitering Integrate fitness elements within the play equipment or elements Consider elements that are educational, reference heritage, are interactive and engaging Integrate the ex. berms and trees into the playground- fantastic assets and opportunities

MINI MARKET LANE THEME LOG POSTS PICNIC AREA SAND BOX WITH SHADE STRUCTURE FENCE SEE SAWS x2 MARKET FRAMES WITH PLAY PANELS CAROUSEL SWINGS x3 MEZZANINE SLIDE SLIDE LOG STEPS STEPPING POSTS FENCE PLAN

MINI MARKET LANE THEME PERSPECTIVE MARKET FRAMES CAROUSEL MEZZANINE LOG POSTS

PLAY AS SCULPTURE, SCULPTURE AS PLAY SANDBOX WITH WATER SPIGOT PICNIC AREA FENCE RUBBER MOUNDS RUBBER MOUNDS BALANCING DISCS CLIMBING FUNNEL BIG O SWING RIBBON PATTERN IN RUBBER SURFACING CLIMBING STRUCTURE SWINGS x3 FENCE PLAN

PLAY AS SCULPTURE, SCULPTURE AS PLAY PERSPECTIVE CLIMBING STRUCTURE BALANCING DISCS RUBBER MOUNDS BIG O SWING INTEGRATED SWINGS

FENCING

Pavilion Concept

WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU The Cathedral architecture should be reflected in the pavilion architecture Scale, scope and contextual reference of pavilion are important Locate pavilion to preserve unprogrammed green space Pavilion to focus on day-to-day use Design to minimize loitering at night Needs of homeless should to considered in the design Too large, too modern, and not in keeping with the heritage feel of the park and pavilion Ensure the pavilion will not bother residents surrounding the park Consider pigeons and design to discourage them Many believed that it should be primarily an area for rest, relaxation, group exercise classes and shelter for park-goers, while a few others felt that the pavilion could become an important event space for the neighborhood. The proposed pavilion and programming infrastructure could result in the park being too busy and encroach on the central function of St James Park as a natural local refuge and green space for connecting with neighbours, decompressing, and unstructured play.

REFERENCE PROJECTS / LIGHTING

WIRE MESH GLULAM FABRIC STONE + BRICK MATERIALITY

Lighting Strategies

WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU IN GROUND LIGHTING: is sophisticated and lovely Design to be sophisticated and urban UPLIGHTING: Concern over uplighting and its effect on light pollution and birds Safety is a priority Overlighting the park should be discouraged due to close adjacencies with residential towers Lighting of Cathedral would help it become more integrated in the park Fix pedestrian lights

LIGHTING FUNCTIONAL & PERMANENT FUNCTIONAL SEASONAL & PERMANENT

LIGHTING: ARCHITECTURAL Lighting the Cathedral and Park Pavilion by highlighting selected architectural features with spot lighting

LIGHTING: FEATURE