Place is Defined by People

The success of a public space is measured by the number of people happily using it.  If there are many different people, doing many different things, and at many different times of the day in a space; what you have created is a PLACE.  The difference is that spaces are defined by physical features; places are defined by people. 

With this project Designer, Builder ("Chief Alchemist") Adam Bienenstock has created a framework of natural materials within which public PLACE can take hold; an environment were people can connect with each other and also be "inspired to re-connect with nature in the most urban of settings".  

Although temproary, Celebration Park will awaken the imagination of Torontonians.  As people experience the Park they will be able to envision a wondorous future where they can connect with life in the city in a whole new way. 

Making PLACE from SPACE

Sometimes we see gaps in our communities that just need to be filled.  Sometimes these gaps are in the physical world; some in the social and cultural world.  

With Celebration Park we are trying to bridge these; trying to create PLACE from SPACE.  

Over the past two days we have seen the evolution of the built environment with the construction of Celebration Park.  Over the next few weeks with our programming, and the participation of it's citizens, we will help fill the gap in the social world of this corner of "Toronto the Good".  

What was a poorly functioning single lane congested with vehicles, will become a PLACE with a human-centred design.  A PLACE that adds to the experiences of people, the activity of businesses, and the livability of the city.  

We are looking forward to watching it happen.  

Remember - When your city doesn't have a sandbox for you to play in, just build your own.

Breaking Ground - On New Ideas

Here is an image of the construction of Celebration Park as it looked yesterday.

For this Project we are not only breaking ground on site, but we are also trying to break ground on the way people think about their city.  About the possibilities in the way we live, work, and play in Toronto.

Let us know what you think!

Office Hours in the Park

In addition to creating a cool, green space for Toronto to enjoy, we want to go a step further and put Yonge Street visitors in touch with some of the foremost urbanists, artists, and civic leaders from across Canada to just chat. 

We’ll be programming the space with art, music, and information throughout the month, with special guests working out of the Celebration Park Office on a daily basis. The office will be set-up in the small "cabin"  at the south end of the park. 

Check out the What's Happening page or twitter #celebrationpark for more information.

A People Place - Celebration Park

ING DIRECT is really excited to tell you about Toronto’s newest public space! 

During the month of Celebrate Yonge, occurring from August 17^th – September 16^th, ING DIRECT is proud to partner with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Parks Canada, the Downtown Yonge BIA, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, and Voigt Consulting to present Celebration Park! 

These images show how we will turn roughly ½ of Yonge Street between Queen and Shuter into an Urban Park…a great Place for People!