St. James ParkPEOPLE MAKE PLACES December 2012

ST. JAMES PARK

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Client:

Consultant:

Gehl Architects - Urban Quality Consultants

Project Manager:

Ewa Westermark, Associate, Architect

ewa@gehlarchitects.dk

Project Team:

Johan Stoustrup, Architect

Scott Przibella, Architect, B.Arch (Hons)

Jennifer Humberstone MA Hons, MLA

Claire Mookerjee, MSc

Consultant:

8-80 Cities

Project Manager:

Amanda O'Rourke, BScH, MScPl

aorourke@8-80cities.org

Project Team:

Project Team:

Emily Munroe, BA, Int'l PMC

Gil Penalosa, MBA

Katherine Jarno, MUD, BLA, CFA

Data Analysts: Lynn Duong & Alyssa Bir

CREDITS

The St. Lawrence Market Business Improvement Area is a nonprofit organization whose

membership includes every business and commercial property owner within the St.

Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. We work cooperatively to improve the public realm,

promote the neighbourhood and events, and support local business. The BIA boundaries

extend from the East side of Yonge Street to the West side of Parliament Street, and from

Lakeshore Boulevard up to just South of Queen Street.

P 4 INTRODUCTION

P 12 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

P 16 ST JAMES PARK - SITE ANALYSIS

P 20 PUBLIC SPACE & PUBLIC LIFE SURVEY

P 28 VISION FOR ST JAMES PARK

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8-80 Cities and Gehl Architects work to bridge the gap between these actors to facilitate a process of meaningful and successful change. This report aims to articulate the community’s vision and demonstrate best practices in order to help decision makers develop strategies for implementation.

CHANGE Public Sec-tor Staff

Elected Officials

Community

How to use this reportBy working closely with the St. Lawrence Market BIA in identifying community stakeholders, 8-80 Cities and Gehl Architects have endeavoured to tap into the imagination of the diverse people who use or would like to use the space.

The recommendations and visualizations are a representation of what we heard from the various stakeholders we engaged.

We see this report as a tool for community members, the BIA, elected officials and public sector staff alike to generate action to improve the park and to help sustain community participation in the space.

Examples of groups that can use this report:The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIAThe St. Lawrence Neighbourhood AssociationThe Cathedral Church of St. JamesThe City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and RecreationThe City of Toronto Public RealmFriends of St. James ParkFriends of Berczy ParkWard 28 Councillor Pam McConnel's officeKing Street Design District GroupToronto Park PeopleToronto Garden Club

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8-80 Cities and Gehl Architects were brought together by a unique, simple and shared idea about the design of the city– cities should be built for people. With a common goal of creating vibrant, safe and sustainable cities, together we have fostered a strong partnership to collaborate on innovative international public space projects.

Gehl Architects & 8-80 Cities

Gehl Architects have developed a unique working methodology based on the

principle that people’s priorities are the most important driver in the planning

process for cities. The study of people’s wellbeing lays the foundation for

the formation of strategic planning and design work. In our project work we

utilize empirical surveys and mapping methods that Professor Jan Gehl has

developed, which explore the way urban areas are used. Based on an empirical

understanding of people's quantitative and qualitative use of public spaces we

provide strategic guidance aimed at maximizing the potential for ‘Life Between

Buildings’ in the design of individual development sites, neighbourhoods and

city districts.

Gehl Architects aspires to create cities that are lively, healthy, sustainable, attractive and safe - thereby improving people’s quality of life.

Gehl Architects is an urban research and design consultancy. We address

global trends with a people-focussed approach, utilizing empirical analysis

to understand how the built environment can promote human flourishing. We

apply this analysis to strategic planning and human-centred design to empower

citizens, decision makers, company leaders, and organizations.

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8-80 Cities is a non-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada. We are dedicated to contributing to the transformation of

cities into places where people can walk, bike, access public transit and visit vibrant parks and public places.

Our approach is to engage communities at all levels and across multiple sectors to inspire the creation of cities that are easily

accessible, safe and enjoyable for everyone. We have working experience in urban areas across Canada, the United States,

Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

• 8-80 cities reflect social equality in the public realm and

promote people’s happiness.

• 8-80 cities nurture our need to be physically active by

providing safe, accessible and enjoyable places for everyone

to walk and bike as part of their daily routine.

• 8-80 recognize that people are social creatures and prioritize

human interaction by fostering vibrant streets and great

public places where people can rest, relax and play.

• 8-80 cities encourage sustainable and healthy lifestyles

for people regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnicity or

economic background.

We are convinced that if everything we did in our public spaces

was great for everyone from 8 year old and 80 year old, we

would end up with healthy and vibrant communities for all.

Why 8-80? What is an 8-80 City?

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What is People Make Places- St James Park? People Make Places is a project based on the idea that people are at the heart

of what makes a vibrant and healthy public space.

The overall goal of the project is to provide a vision for St. James Park that

represents the diverse needs of the community it serves while also contributing

to creating a more sustainable and people friendly city.

Gehl Architects and 8-80 Cities were thrilled to partner with the St. Lawrence

Market BIA to create a new vision for St. James park. This effort piggybacks

the “Make a Place for People” project undertaken by 8-80 Cities, Gehl

Architects and the SLNBIA in nearby Berczy Park from January-August

2012. (for more info on the Make a Place for People- Berczy Park project visit

8-80cities.org).

Understanding that great parks and public spaces do not function in isolation,

the SLN BIA hired 8-80 Cities and Gehl Architects to develop a complementary

process and strategy for St. James Park. With this partnership project we

are aiming to unlock the greatest potential of the park through a process of

community engagement and empirical analysis.

This report is one of the outcomes of the People Make Places Project which

includes a strategy for the concept design, and programming of St. James

park. By engaging diverse stakeholders in the process we also have aspired to

educate and empower the community with the tools to transform the park into

the great place they want it to be.

People Make Places

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Our Goal is....

To unlock the greatest potential of St. James Park by educating and empowering the community with the tools to transform the park into the vibrant and healthy people-place they want it to be.

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The People Make Places project aims to tap into the imagination of the diverse people who use the park in order to create a vision and cultivate a culture of community participation in the space. The process involves 3 phases:

3. Vision Development & Action Planning Data collection and analysis to inform the creation of the report.

Reporting and action planning synthesizes the data collected into

a user-friendly format that reflects the community’s vision of the

space

2. Empirical Analysis & Community Engagement Assessments and empirical analysis of the existing site including

both ‘hardware’ (physical infrastructure) and ‘software’ (uses,

activities, and management). Community engagement with

diverse stakeholders through a variety of activities such as

workshops, focus groups, interviews and on-site conversations.

1. Participatory Planning Working with the local project partner to identify stakeholders to

be involved in the project and develop a strategy for engagement.

A project volunteer

enjoys a sunny afternoon

measuring park activity

during the site assessment.

SLNBIA’s successful music in the

park series grew quite a crowd

on July 5. 8-80 Cities held the first

“Share an Idea” session in the park

that day along with an indoor public

workshop.

People Make Places - Process

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Planning Vision & Action Plan Site Assessment & Community Engagement 2 3

- Identification of stakeholders

- Site research & context assessment

- Outreach & promotion of

engagement activities

1St. James Park Project Time Line

AUGUSTJUNEMAY JULY SEPTMARCH

Data analysis & report development.

296 ideas collected!

8-80 Cities and SLN BIA identify stakeholders.

APRIL

- 8-80 Cities volunteers

survey site using Social

Observation Tool

- Collection of data

from community

engagement sessions

(interviews and focus

groups)

- Gehl Architects on site analysis using

Public Space survey.

- Collection of data from community

engagement sessions (focus groups,

interviews, and joint Gehl and 8-80 Cities

workshop)

- Gehl Architects on-site assessment 2

-“Share an idea” session in St. James Park.

- Ongoing community

engagement sessions

- Second “Share an idea”

session in St. James Park

OCT

- Analyse data and document

findings from community

engagement & site assessments

- Develop initial vision and

recommendations for site

- Issue draft to SLNBIA, incorporate

feedback.

- Launch of final report

May 22-24: 8-80 Cities Site Survey and counts.June : Interviews and focus groups with local businesses, city officials, Councillor’s office, Market Vendors, St. James Church and King St Design Dist.

July 5: Joint 8-80 Cities and Gehl Architects day and evening workshops at St. Lawrence Hall. “Share an idea” session 1 extends into the park.

August 12: “Share an idea” session 2 in the park.August 30 and Sept 18: Focus groups with St. Lawrence Day Camp students and George Brown students

July 2-7: Gehl Architects Public Space Survey. July 25: On-site assessment with SLNBIA, 8-80 Cities, and Gehl Architects.

Context assessment of the surrounding neighbourhood.

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A Snapshot of St. James Park St. James Park is a green oasis located in the bustling St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood

in historic downtown Toronto. The park is bounded by the iconic St. James Cathedral to the

west, Jarvis St. to the east, and Adelaide and King to the north and south. The park is public

and owned by both the church and the city of Toronto. The park features a 19th Century

garden with a fountain, a beautiful mature tree canopy, and four intersecting pathways from

every direction that meet at a large central gazebo.

The park was created in the early 20th century and named after the adjacent Cathedral Church

of St. James, the home of the oldest congregation in Toronto.

The Cathedral Church of St. James is a key part of the identity of the park.

St James Park St James park lies in the historic heart of Toronto in a growing and evolving neighbourhood. It’s a place for both visitors and locals to retreat and get a dose of “green” in the city.

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St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood The St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is part of the

original Town of York and therefore boasts many historic

buildings along side modern commercial sites and

residential towers.

In recent history, there has been a significant increase in

the number of residential units adding a greater number

of children, seniors and young professionals to the

neighbourhood.

The population surrounding St. James Park includes more

seniors living alone and a significantly higher rate of renters

in comparison with the City of Toronto as a whole. These

factors highlight the need for high quality, multi- functional

green spaces that facilitate active, healthy lifestyles.

St. James Park’s gazebo is a natural meeting place in the neighbourhood.

Photo by Nic Pouliot of NOW Magazine

St. James Park was the site of the “Occupy Toronto” protest in October and November 2011. The park was restored In December 2011 with a generous donation from the Nursery Sod Growers of Ontario and volunteers from Landscape Ontario and the local community.

Photo by Landscape Ontario

“The park was taken away from us during the encampment and what we realized is that we had this wonderful beautiful park and we wanted to infuse it with life again...We wanted the park restored, which it was, and then have more programming, activities, festivals expand northward into the park.” - Friends of St. James Park

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Engaging people in decisions related to their parks and public spaces is what 8-80 Cities strives to do. The great diversity of people and perspectives in any community is its greatest resource. Finding creative ways to ‘tap the collective brain’ is the first step in creating public places that are people focused, and people friendly. Free opera

at lunch hour

More bubbles!

Community engagement

Small food vendors

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Free wifi

More flowers on the North

side

Digital historical

storytelling

Winter festival

Public washroom

A water fountain for

people and dogs

Dance lessons

Community suppers

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Recommendations and ideas were collected from community members through mapping activities, facilitated group conversations, interviews, and idea sharing activities. 8-80 Cities recorded and analyzed the data in order to create the summary of the findings which are presented below.

The chart here is based on 296 specific ideas or recommendations

collected by 8-80 Cities through the process of community engagement.

The chart indicates trends in themes related to the recommendations in

order to help identify and set community priorities.

31%

63%

5%

1%

Community Events & Activities Ideas related to the development

of activities, programmes and

events to engage community

members in the park.

Accessibility & Connectivity Ideas related to improving

pedestrian and bicycle

access to the park.

Infrastructure & Facilities Ideas related to the addition or

improvement of physical infrastructure or

facilities.

Maintenance and Security Ideas specifically related to maintaining

existing features and interventions to

improve security in the park.

Recommendations & ideas

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Certain types of ideas stood out in the data, such as those relatedto recreational opportunities, art and entertainment, food and children’s play.

Recreation & Physical Activity

14%

13%Art & Entertainment

Children’s Play13%

Food and Drink

Ideas related to animating the park through entertainment programming such as music, dance and performance arts.

8%

Ideas related to increasing opportunities for physical activity and recreation through both programming (e.g yoga, tai-chi) and infrastructure (e.g bocce courts, activity prompts)

Suggestions related to the addition of child friendly play equipment and pro-gramming.

Ideas related to inviting people into the park with food, from community gardens, to small canteen/vendors, to local markets.

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Green space in the central citySt. James park is located immediately to the east of the central downtown area of Toronto. In central urban areas such as this, green space is often at a premium so there is great potential for St. James park to impact a variety and diversity of users, including local workers as well as residents and visitors. It is therefore important to consider the mixture of demands by both existing and potential users.

St James Park & the city

S T . J A M E S P A R K

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Dundas Sq

St James Park

St. Lawrence Market

Moss Park

Berczy Park

Union Station

Toronto Waterfront

Business district

Nathan Philips Sq

Trinity Sq

David Crombie Park

Princess Street Park

400 m5 min. 10 min.

800 m 1200 m5 min.

0 500 1 000250 Meters750

Sculpturegarden

Market lanepark

St James Park a green heart of the citySt James park is very close to a series of major destinations in the City. A five minute walk away you find Berzcy Park, David Crombie park, the business district and

Union Station and adjacent to the park is the Sculpture garden and St Lawrence market. The waterfront is just a 10 minute walk away but the percieved distance is

further and few people choose to walk there because of poor links and barriers. Connecting to the waterfront would strengthen the whole public space network of

the city.

ST Lawrence market - 3 min walk

Union Station - 10 min walk

Business district- 5 min walk

Berczy park - 5 min walk David Cromble Park - 5 min walk

Toronto Waterfront - 5 min bicycle ride

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RATHER THAN BEING AN ‘ISLAND’ OF GREEN, CONNECT THE PARK TO A WIDER GREEN WALKING & CYCLING NETWORK

ALLOW GREEN TO INFILTRATE THE EXTERNAL URBAN ENVIRONMENT

BUSINESS DISTRICT

WATERFRONT

DAVID CROMBIE PARK

PRINCESS STREET PARKBERZCY PARK

UNION STATION

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET

ST. JAMES PARK

MOSS PARK

ST. MICHAELS GARDENS

DUNDAS

Green public space network

Public space networkA public space is not an island but should be thought of as part of a network of public spaces. How the public space is linked to surrounding destinations is part of the experienced quality of the space. Quite simply, if connections and accessibility are improved, the impact of the improvements to the space itself are much greater.

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Dundas Sq

St James Park

Yong StreetKing Street

Queen Street

Dundas Street

Front Street

Queens Quay

York Street

University ave

Jarvis Street

St Lawrence Market

Moss Park

Berczy Park

Sculpturegarden

Union Station

Toronto Waterfront

Business district

Nathan Philips Sq

Trinity SqToronto City Hall & library

David Crombie Park

Market lane park

The more attractive and safe the connections, the longer distance people choose to walk or bike.

Strengthening a green and attractive public space networkGreening and upgrading the quality of the walking and bicycling environment on key streets in the central city could potentially form a strong network of attractive public spaces and destinations. The better and more attractive the connections, the more synergy between the spaces can be created and more people would choose to walk or bicycle. Of note are the Toronto Sculpture Park immediately to the South of the St. James Park which provides arts and culture based interest and could be better connected with the larger St. James Park as part of a walking or cycling route. There is also potential to improve links with the St. Lawrence Market via public realm improvements to Market Lane Park (a pedestrian-only corridor that links Front and King streets). Berczy park is the closest public green space, as such better linkages between these parks is crucial to the overall quality of the pedestrian experience in this bustling district.

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S T R E N G T H S

St James Park assessment

Good mix of usersHigh density area ensures potential of many usersSt James park is a valued green space in an area with few green spacesAttractive gardens to the SouthHistory and heritageMuch potential for programming due to large size

W E A K N E S S E S Poor quality and variety of seatingUnsafe feeling - poor lighting and use at night time as well as lack of visual and physical connection to its surroundingsPoor maintenance to the North sideFew amenities for children and playPoor accessibility along the sidewalks and paths

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Aesthetic & Sensory

Protection

Comfort

Delight

Average. Adelaide St. and Jarvis St. have a few trees between pedestrians and cars but Church and King St. do not. There is frequent jay-walking threatening pedestrian safety

Average. Several different textures in the pavement surrounding the park and 75% of store frontages around the perimeter are attractive for pedestrians. However the path through the park is very narrow.

Average. There are differences in the textures of buildings along King St. but little store-front activity to see. The facade of the perimeter’s North-East corner is very passive.

Good. Good building to street proportion. Park surrounded by 3 to 8 storey high buildings. Designed at human scale with good building facades and detail design. Good street design. Feeling of proximity and visual connection.

Poor. Lighting is too dim along the perimeter streets as well as in the grassy areas of the park. Alcohol users in the park threaten perceived safety.

Poor. Art and heritage features in the park are not attractive features for people to stay and observe. Gaps of facade do not encourage standing or staying. Limited features to lean or stand against.

Average. Benches are constantly occupied with additional people sitting on the ground. Most benches at a social distance with limited spaces for conversation unless using secondary seating.

Good. Variety of exposed and protected spaces. Trees allow for shade and open spaces as well as the Garden enjoys good sun exposure. Presence of the water fountain aids on hot summer days. Park is surrounded by mid-height buildings which offer protection from the wind and a pleasant microclimate.

Average. Good amount of shade for sun protection. However, little shelter from cold or rain aside from the gazebo and trees in the summer. Many people sit on the ground - mud would limit this opportunity and deter park use. Some disturbance from noise and pollution from surrounding streets at the perimeters of the park.

Average. Multitude of benches although poor in quality. No seating along Jarvis St. Good use of ground under the shade of trees for seating.

Poor. Space to accommodate physical activities such as frisbee. Most physical activity involves people running, cycling or walking through the park. However, there are no facilities for people to stay and exercise or play.

Average. The South-East corner is well maintained and designed and compensates for the rest of the park. Wide variety and texture of vegetation. The fountain and overall design of the South side works well. Northern area of park lacks investment, site furniture and security.

SAFE

GOOD AVERAGE POOR

WALKABLE

VISUAL CONTACT

SCALE

SECURE

STAND+STAY

TALKSCAPES

CLIMATE

REDUCE SENSORY

SEATING

PLAY+EXERCISE

ENHANCE SENSORY

PROTECTION AGAINST WIND, RAIN, NOISE, HEAT, POLLUTION

BENCHES + INFORMAL, UTILISE SUN, VIEWS, PEOPLE

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, STREET ENTERTAINMENT + PLAY

MATERIALS, VIEWS, TREES, PLANTS, WATER, DETAILING

PROTECTION AGAINST VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND ACCIDENTS

ACCESSIBLE, GOOD SURFACES, INTEREST

UNHINDERED + INTERESTING VIEWS, LIGHTING

BUILDINGS AND SPACES DESIGNED TO HUMAN SCALE

SAFETY FROM CRIME & VIOLENCE, LIGHTING, SURVEILLANCE, LIVELY

EDGES EFFECT/ACTIVE ZONES

OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK AND LISTEN, LOW NOISE

ENJOYMENT OF POSITIVE; SUN, SHADE, HEAT, COOL, SHELTER

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37%Sitting on Benches

7%Lying Down

2%Standing

36%Sitting on Sec-ondary Seating

0%

16%

Playing

Walking

Physically active2%

73% of the activity is sitting

St James - under utilized for play and activityA majority (86%) of the activities that takes place St James park is sitting. Almost half of them are sitting on secondary seating options. This can be due to lack of seating in the park. The user data found showed that there were few users engaging in physical activities such as playing or sports. There are no invitations today in the park for such activities other than the open grass surfaces that could be used for spontaneous sports like yoga or tai chi.

Based on surveys made 4 July 2012 between 9-16 and at 9pm. Good weather conditions: 23 degrees, sunny with a light breeze.

How is St James park used?

St. James Park

Standing (2,8%)

Sitting on benches (41,7%)

Sitting on secondary seating (43,6%)

Lying down (8,1%)Physical active (3,8%)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

9-10

Pedestrians

10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5

Staying activity

0

10

20

30

40

50

9:30 11:25 1:25 3:30 9:45

Standing

Sitting on benches

Sitting on secondary seating

Lying down

Walking

Physical active

0

20

40

60

80

100

9:30 11:25 1:25 3:30

Staying activity - Comparison

St. James ParkBerczy Park Dundas Square

King street Gazebo

No children were found playing

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St James - Potential for more usersThe survey of pedestrian movement in the park shows that King street on the south side of the park has significantly more pedestrians than people walking through the park. This could be due to the fact that it is difficult to get to the park with few crossings and traffic creating a barrier.

St. James Park

Standing (2,8%)

Sitting on benches (41,7%)

Sitting on secondary seating (43,6%)

Lying down (8,1%)Physical active (3,8%)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

9-10

Pedestrians

10-11 11-12 12-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5

Staying activity

0

10

20

30

40

50

9:30 11:25 1:25 3:30 9:45

Standing

Sitting on benches

Sitting on secondary seating

Lying down

Walking

Physical active

0

20

40

60

80

100

9:30 11:25 1:25 3:30

Staying activity - Comparison

St. James ParkBerczy Park Dundas Square

King street Gazebo

Average number of people walking along King Street: 911/Hr

King Street East

Average number of people walking through the park: 224/Hr

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St James - age and gender Collecting information about how public spaces are used is critical to their improvement. Understanding who is using the space and often more importantly, who’s not using the space, helps to shed light on what improvements need to be made. Data helps to build the case for why investment and improvements need to be made and creates a ‘baseline’ of information from which you can measure your success. Age and gender are good indicators of quality, women are excellent 'indicator species'. The lack of older adults, and children at St James is evidence that the park needs to be improved.

How is St James park used?

25Based on surveys made 4 July 2012 between 9-16 and at 9pm. Good weather conditions: 23 degrees, sunny with a light breeze.

There are more men than women in the parkThe higher proportion of men to women is evidence that the park should be improved. Women are a great "indicator species." They tend to be more discriminating and have a lower level of tolerance for spaces that are disorderly, dirty, or unsafe.

St James - Potential for more usersLess than 10% of users are under 18 or over 65, more needs to be done to attract these user groups - accessibility and invitations should be addressed.

Average number of people walking along King Street:

911/Hr

There are very few younger or older people: 10%

0-6 (3%)

7-12 (1%)

13-18 (2%)

19-34 (41%)

65+ (5%)

51-65 (13%)

35-50 (35%)

Age groups

Women 42% Men 58%

Gender distribution

0-6 (3%)

7-12 (1%)

13-18 (2%)

19-34 (41%)

65+ (5%)

51-65 (13%)

35-50 (35%)

Age groups

Women 42% Men 58%

Gender distribution

There are more men than women

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Average number of people staying at any given time is: 60

St James park - people-watchingBy looking at the pattern of users throughout the day it becomes clear that the benches positioned along the axial paths through the

park are popular for sitting, and those sitting on informal secondary seating possibilities choose locations on the grass usually closer

to the centre of the park than the noisier perimeters. This is likely due to that places are most attractive where they provide a sense of

‘getting away’ from the stressors of the urban enviro nment, or opportunities to engage in either passive social interaction such as

people-watching along the paths or active social interaction sitting in informal groups on the grass.

LEGENDSTANDING

SITTING ON BENCHES

SITTING ON SECONDARY SEARING

LYING DOWN

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Where are people staying?

A L L S T A Y I N G A C T I V I T Y

Adelaide Street East

King Street East

Chu

rch

Str

eet

Jarv

is S

tree

t

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St James park - under utilized in evenings Of all the surveys, the fewest number of users

were in the evening in the 9.45 pm survey.

This demonstrates the park is not used to its

fullest extent throughout all times of the day and

night. Better pedestrian scale lighting, as well

as evening programs and activities would help

promote the use of the park in the evening.

When are people staying?

9 . 3 0 A M 1 1 . 2 5 A M

1 . 2 5 P M 3 . 3 0 P M 9 . 4 5 P M

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1

2 THE RETREATThe green and relaxing park

is further strengthened by

intensifying greenery at the

edges, enriching the sensory

experiences and introducing

a wide variety of seating

opportunities.

ST JAMES PARK A PLACE FOR ALLImagine St James Park as

the green heart of Toronto. A

tourist destination as well as

a local living room and front

lawn. A park where activity

and tranquillity can coexist

and where friends and families

meet and new acquaintances

are made. A well connected

park where all senses are

activated. A park where spaces

are used for multiple purposes

to ensure that everyone feels

welcome and where there

is always something new to

experience.

THE HISTORIC HEARTThe history of the park comes alive through

a series of initiatives. Historic walks and

inventory, lighting of the cathedral and

heritage buildings, storytelling through plays

and music in the park.

Vision for St James Park

29

3

4

5

WHERE IT HAPPENS!The park becomes a platform for local initiatives

and is programmed all year round. The im-

proved Gazebo area becomes the natural central

gathering place where everyone meets and

everything happens. There is always something

new to see or do in the park! CONNECTED AND SAFEWalking to and through the park at all times

becomes both a safe and attractive journey. The

paths are improved with new paving and seating

arrangements. At night the park is illuminated,

the paths, greenery, gazebo, heritage buildings

and garden are all sensitively lit. Improved

connections to the park makes it easier and safer

to get there.

FAMILY FUNThe under utilized parts of the park are revitalized with

play, fun and opportunities for people of all ages to be to-

gether. A sensory rich playground that stimulates physical

activity is integrated into the east area of the park. Adjacent

there are new possibilities to buy a coffee or lunch and sit

comfortably overlooking the children playing.

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NKing Street East

Adelaide Street East

Chur

ch S

tree

t

Jarv

is St

reet

New connection

New connection

New entrance and path

Church forecourt History,

storytelling,Lighting

Parking church

Open grasssurface for

multifunctional use;sports, walking the dog, relaxing etc.

Integrated relaxed seating in park

topography for lunch, picnic and social

interaction

Family space,natural playground,

water features, sculptures and artExtended

centralevent and

performancesquare

Clearing around gazebo and

expandable seating for big events

Preserve gardenAddition of seating and

lightingChurch

information space

Celebrate the Cathedral with

effect lighting at night

Celebrated entrance

Celebrated entrance

Celebrated entrance

Celebrated entrance New simplified crossing

with extended space for walking and outdoor

seatingPavilionsNewspapers,

Coffee etc.Greening around parking

Facilities for dogs and sports

New path

New path

Greening of streets and around perimeters of the park

Greening of streets and around perimeters of the park

impro

ved paving, lightin

g and

seatin

g along paths

Gre

enin

g of

str

eets

and

ar

ound

per

imet

ers

of th

e pa

rk

pavilions for equipment,

café, flowers,seating with tables and

chairs

Concept plan St. James Park

see pdf ...........

Public washroom and drinking

fountain

31

Summary Initiatives St James Park

• Introduce new seating and improve existing seating for all types of users and uses; add more benches with view of people activity along pahts as well as of greenery and flowers, introduce flexible and social seating like movable chairs with tables and expand secondary seating options for picnic and relaxing in the grass with integrated wooden platforms.

• Celebrate and preserve the garden, the calm heart of the park, add seating opportunities and lighting.• Calm the park by greening the edges with more trees still preserving visibility and easy access from surrounding streets.• Introduce sensory experiences in the park; water, flowers, diversity of trees and plants, ambient lighting.

2 The retreat

• A park with continuous all year round events and programs • Celebrating the Gazebo and central meeting space. Clearing of greenery for better visibility of the Gazebo. Enlarge

and upgrade the central meeting space to accommodate for events as well as seating for Gazebo performances.• Add pavilion for storing equipment for events and activities at south east corner• Flexible seating and activity spaces – Spaces in the park around the Gazebo that are flexible and multifunctional

making a variety of activity possible. Grass areas that can be used for picnic as well as sports as well as informal seating for larger events.

• Light the Gazebo at night and add possibilities for effect lighting for events and performances

3 Where it happens!

• New area with natural playground/water playground for families. Connect play areas to seating areas for parents/caretakers like new outdoor “café seating”

• Pavilions at the northeast entrance with a variety of programs; café,newspaper stand, park information etc. • Pavilions or small building structures at the south east corner to the back of existing bank building with a variety of

purposes; café/food stand/ flower stands as well as spaces for equipment for park maintenance and movable chairs.• Introducing movable seating with tables and umbrellas adjacent to the pavilions for both families and business lunch

breaks overlooking play areas.• Preserve open and flexible space east of the Cathedral for walking the dog, spontaneous sports and easy strolls

through the park.

4 Family fun

• Improve accessibility in the park: widen existing paths and Improve paving for all users (walking, bicyclists, disabled, skaters, people with prams/strollers)

• Improve the overall lighting in the park. Add human scale lighting along paths and ambient indirect lighting of greenery.

• Celebrate entrances to the park. Add information about park events.• New paths in the park to connect to new east entrances and forecourt of the cathedral as well as a new path

connecting Jarvis St to the centre of the park.• Improve connections to Sculpture garden/ Market Lane Park/St Lawrence market. Add new crossings on King Street.

Investigate in shared space options for King Street, prioritizing access for street cars, bicycles and pedestrians. Possible expansions of sidewalks on King St.

• Simplify crossing at northeast corner: create direct connections across Jarvis St and extend sidewalk space by eliminating slip lane and allow for curbside café.

5 Connected and Safe

• Stories from the past; accessible information on the history of the park• Digitallybased historic information, historic pavilion/exhibition, historical traces, programmed historic walks• Historic inventory; benches, lighting, paving, signs• Celebrate the historic fabric; Lighting of the cathedral and heritage buildings around the park

1 The historic heart

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St James - The historic heart

Stories from the past; accessible information on the history of the park likeaccessible information on the history of the park such as digitally-based audio history guides that are accessed through handheld devices/phones, historic pavilion/exhibition, historical traces, programmed history walks

Historic inventory; benches, lighting, paving, signs

Celebrate the historic fabric; Lighting of the cathedral and heritage buildings around the park

Program theatres and music reflecting the stories and history of the park.Engage the Cathedral directly with programming for this.

New paths integrating the Cathedral and the Catherdral forecourt in the park

Cathedral story telling

Stories from the past

Lighting of heritage buildings

History walks

new paths

Enhance, visualize and tell the story of the history of the space, the neighbourhood and the Cathedral

“The church has to be lit. It’s a beautiful building and you can’t see it!” -Focus group Participant

Lighting of heritage buildings and the cathedral. The history of the park integrated in the design.Storytelling through park inventory like, paving, seating, lighting, signage.

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HISTORICAL TRACES AND INVENTORY

LIGHTING OF THE CATHEDRAL AND HERITAGE BUILDINGS

STORYTELLING ON LINE AND IN THE PARK; HISTORIC WALKS, INFORMATION AND EXHIBITIONS

34

Improve existing seating and introduce seating for all types of users and uses; add more benches with view of people activity along all main pahts as well as views of greenery and flowers. Introduce flexible and social seating like movable chairs with tables and expand secondary seating options for picnics and relaxing in the grass with integrated wooden platforms.

Celebrate and preserve the garden, the calm heart of the park, add seating opportunities and lighting.

Calm the park by greening the edges with more trees still preserving visibility and access in to the park from all surrounding streets.

Introduce sensory experiences in the park, like water, flowers, diversity of trees and planters, ambient lighting.

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2

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Picnic and secondary seating on integrated wooden decks

Movable chairs with tables for lunch and working

Garden is the green heart of the park

Seating along main paths and around the central meeting space

Water elements

Greening of the edges

St James - The retreatCelebrate greenery and sensory experiences. Expand and diversify resting opportunities in the park

2

3

5

“We want to keep it green and maintain the beauty of the park that exists today.” - Workshop Participant

Preserving the garden as the calm heart of the park with added seating possiblities and ambient lighting.

Flexible seating arrangements.Addition of diversity of seating possibilities that allows for social interaction. Concentrate seating along paths overlooking people activity

4

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CELEBRATE THE GREENERY AND SHELTER THE PARK FROM THE TRAFFIC WITH MORE TREES

DIVERSIFY SEATING OPPORTUNITIES

INTEGRATED SEATING IN THE GRASS FOR ALL YEAR ROUND RELAXING

36

A park with continuous all year round events and programs

Celebrating the Gazebo and central meeting space. Clearing of greenery for better visibility of the Gazebo. Enlarge and upgrade the central meeting space to accommodate for events as well as seating for Gazebo performances.

Add pavilion for storing equipment for events and activities at south east corner including basic amenities such as a drinking fountain and public washroom

Flexible seating and activity spaces – Spaces in the park around the Gazebo that are flexible and multifunctional making a variety of activity possible. Grass areas that can be used for picnicking, sports, as well as informal seating for larger events.

Light the Gazebo at night and and provide necessary infrastructure that provide possibilities for effect lighting for events and performances.

St. James - Where it happens A park for activity and events for all ages and user groups all year round

Extended and upgraded central space for events and seating

Space for equipment and support elements

Flexible space suitable for multifunctional activity and extended secondary seating at larger events

“The gazebo can be the focus of programming and entertainment...it could be music, comedy, children’s theatre...it could be all kinds of things.” -Focus group Participant

Programming of the park with a variety of activities all year round for all user groups and ages.

Pavilions with possibilities for storing equipment.Evening activities that makes the park come alive at night.

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PROGRAM THE PARK ALL YEAR ROUND AND FOR ALL AGES

CELEBRATE THE GAZEBO; LIT AT NIGHT AND IMPROVE VISIBILITY

ENLARGE AND IMPROVE CENTRAL SPACE FOR PERFORMANCES AND SEATING

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New area with natural playground/water playground for families. Connect play areas to seating areas for parents/caretakers like new outdoor “café seating”. Carefully allow for addition of greenery to shield of from Jarvis Street but still keeping the park accessible and open to the street.

Pavilions or small building structures at the northeast entrance and the south east corner to the back of existing bank building with a variety of purposes; café/food stand/ flower stands/newspaper stands/ park information as well as spaces for equipment for park maintenance and movable chairs.

Introducing movable seating with tables and umbrellas adjacent to the pavilions for both families and business lunch breaks overlooking play areas.

Preserve open and flexible space east of the Cathedral for walking the dog, spontaneous sports and easy strolls through the park. Introduce sports and dog facilities at the north side of the multifunctional open space.

Integrate and invite programming and entertainment that is family friendly such as children's theatre, a lending library, simple games, art school for kids.

St. James - Family fun Improve possibilities for physical activity for all ages

Play area

Space for equipment

Adjacent seating for lunch, picnic

Addition of trees and greenery to shield of from Jarvis Street

Open flexible and multifunctional space

sports and dog facilities

“The one thing that has really changed in the park in the last few years is the presence of children ...and we’ve really noticed it now. All of a sudden we see families more than ever and they are in the park at all hours. I think people would like to get a playground back.”-Focus group Participant

Sensory stimulating playground that promotes physical activity and play for all ages

Seating arrangement with tables close to play facilities that allows for picnic, social gatherings, lunch, working.

Pavilions with diverse functions; coffee, lunch, flowers, ice cream, tourist information etc

39

ADJACENT SEATING FOR PARENTS AND ADULTS OVERLOOKING THE PLAY AREA

IMPROVE POSSIBILITIES FOR PLAY AND EXERCISE INTRODUCE WATER AND SENSORY

EXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES

40

St. James - Connected & safe

Improve accessibility in the park: widen existing paths and Improve paving for all users (walking, bicyclists, disabled, skaters, people with strollers) Allow for secondary free movement within the park outside dedicated paths.

Add new paths in the park; connection to the new east entrances to the cathedral, connection to Church Street on the north side of the Cathedral and access from Jarvis Street to the centre of the park.

Improve the overall lighting in the park. Add human scale lighting along paths and ambient indirect lighting of greenery.

Celebrate entrances to the park. Add information about park events.

I

Existing crossings

New proposed crossings

Improved paving and lighting

New paths

Access along and in the park

Improved entrances and central space

Pedestrian extension zones

Improve connections to the park for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as walkability and safety in the park

New pedestrian connections to the sculpture garden and St Laurence market.

New paving and lighting along main paths of the park.

Improved pedestrian crossings at north east corner crossing Jarvis Street.

“It would be good if there was a crosswalk there [from the Sculpture Garden] to the park...in the middle of the block people are jaywalking all the time...putting in crosswalks would cost virtually nothing and could be done right away.”-Workshop Participant

mprove connections to Sculpture garden/ Market Lane Park/St Lawrence market. Add new crossings on King Street. Investigate in shared space options for King Street, prioritizing access for street cars, bicycles and pedestrians. Possible expansions of sidewalks on King Street.

Simplify crossing at northeast corner; create direct connections across Jarvis St and extend sidewalk space by eliminating slip lane and allow for curb side café.

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INTRODUCE SEATING ALONG PATHS SUITABLE FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION

ADD LIGHTING IN HUMAN SCALE ALONG PATHS AND LIGHTING OF TREES AND GREENERY

IMPROVED PAVING COMFORTABLE FOR ALL USER GROUPS

42February March April January

En

tert

ain

men

tC

omm

un

ity

focu

sIn

form

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Act

ivit

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Form

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Act

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Arnold circus has a com-munity group based on it called Friends of AC. They act as stewards as well organising ac-tivities, music and many community activities around the park.

2. Quiet contemplation

3. Destination, local and tourist alike

4. Children and families

5. Church led festivals

1. History

DUMBO business improvement district and NYC wireless provided Brooklyn bridge park in NYC with full coverage of free wifi.

Hyde Park London have a winter fes-tival Winter Wonderland

Activity Calender

Programming and infrastructure to support more events and activity

The park has much local history embedded and should

be mined to animate the bring to life the stories within it.

WIN

TER F

ESTIV

ALS

ICE

SCUL

PTUR

E Food fes-tivals see Regents park Taste of London

ART

CLAS

SSES

SNOW

MAN

BUI

LDIN

G

LUNC

H HO

UR T

AI C

HI

The park should be a retreat from the city for

contemplation and to be alone, things can be put in place

to support this.

The park is a local and city park that should be a tourist

destination as well as a local resource.

The park under performs for children and family,

everyday and special occassion attractions should be

provided.

The park is attached the church, the church should use it

as a resource for christian festivals as well as supporting

non-denomination activities.

FA

MIL

Y D

AY

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

http://foac.org.uk/

www.tastefestivals.com/london/

GROU

P GAR

DENI

NG

SPOR

TS E

VENT

S

EAST

ER AC

TIVITI

ES

http://thebrooklynink.com

local fitness businesses could kick off?

HIST

ORY

PARK

WAL

KS

http://dalstongarden.org/Necessary infrastructure additions to the park.

Art classes for all ages. Dalston, London have a ‘barn’ which is available ...

43May June July August September October November December

Tem

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Kite B

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63% felt St James Park needs more facilities and infrastructure*269 reccommendations

CHRIS

TMAS

MAR

KETFood fes-

tivals see Regents park Taste of London

CO

ME

DY

BA

RB

EQ

UE

S

GAM

ES, C

HESS

, FRI

SBEE

Dancing lessons in the park, evening classes for the older gen-eration

Childrens theatre as a tem-porary installa-tion in the park.

EXER

CISE

CLAS

SES

In Bryant park New York companies spon-sor games available during working hours. In Dalston, London play equipment is brought out of a container on designated days.

http://www.bryantpark.org http://www.gillettsquare.org.uk/

www.tastefestivals.com/london/

HO

T S

UP

PER

S

COMM

UNITY

MAR

KET School

involvement with learn-ing and maintent-ance in the park

City / church can start urban food garden/ community

LESS

ONS

IN P

ARK

FEST

IVE

PLA

YS

HIS

TOR

Y E

VEN

ING

Invitations to local care pro-viders

http://www.raumlabor.net

Informal audio hist-roical tours could take place with info online and pq’s in park.

AU

TUM

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ON

FIR

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WIN

TER

CAND

LELI

TE

VEN

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WA

LKS

Gl. Kongevej 1, 4.tv · DK-1610 Copenhagen V

Tel: +45 32 950 951 · Fax: +45 32 950 958

mail@gehlarchitects.dk · www.gehlarchitects.dk