City Centre Park

Design Concept - Rate your Priorities

City Centre Park will be located adjacent to City Hall and the Central Library. What role should this central location play in the park’s design? Rank each item from 1 to 4, with 1 being the most important and 4 being the least important.

A civic gathering space for public events and celebrations

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A peaceful green space for relaxation amid the city

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A daily-use park for workers, residents, and visitors

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A flexible space adaptable for multiple uses

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The design will need to balance different priorities based on spatial restrictions, budget, and timeline. In order to gain insight on design priorities, please rank each item below from 1 to 8, with 1 being the most important and 8 being the least important.

Provide flexible space for public events and celebrations

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Include trees and natural landscaping throughout the park

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Align with and enhance the existing programming in nearby Esplanade Park

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Honour and reflect Indigenous heritage and culture

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Incorporate environmentally sustainable design practices

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Create a distinct and recognizable community landmark

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Ensure the project is cost-effective and fiscally responsible

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Support year-round use through seasonal design features

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What kinds of activities would you most likely participate in at the new City Centre Park? Rank each item from 1 to 12, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important.

Meeting friends or socializing

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Attending community or civic events (e.g., festivals, concerts, ceremonies)

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Relaxing alone (e.g., reading, enjoying nature)

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Having a picnic

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Casual walking or jogging

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Skating (e.g., winter ice rink or trail)

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Participating in fitness or wellness classes (e.g., yoga, tai chi)

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Letting kids play in a water feature

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Taking part in cultural or arts programming

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Playing informal games (e.g., frisbee, bocce, lawn games)

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Enjoying seasonal features (e.g., winter lights, splash pad in summer)

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Exploring art or educational installations

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Design Strategies

As we explore possibilities for City Centre Park, three early design strategies have been developed. Each one emphasizes different priorities and experiences. These concepts are not final - they are starting points to spark ideas, conversations, and community feedback. Your input will help shape the direction of the final design. The three design strategies are:

Strategy 1 - Urban Grove (open photo in new window)

Where sleek city design meets the cool comfort of trees—Urban Grove offers a modern park experience with misty summers, winter skating surrounded by trees, and year-round flexibility. Clean lines, natural shade, and playful elements create a dynamic space at the heart of the city.

Strategy 2 - Cultural Heart (open photo in new window)

The Cultural Heart pulses with energy - anchored by a bold central water feature that transforms into a lively winter rink. This is the community’s stage, where nature frames the action and every season invites connection.

Strategy 3 - Island of Serenity (open photo in new window)

Island of Serenity is your urban escape - lush, green, and calm, with a central lawn surrounded by trees. A peaceful retreat wrapped in nature, designed for reflection and relaxation, that transforms into a vibrant central space for city events.

For design strategy #1, what aspects of the concept do you find most appealing?

For design strategy #1, please describe anything you think could be improved or reconsidered.

For design strategy #2, what aspects of the concept do you find most appealing?

For design strategy #2, please describe anything you think could be improved or reconsidered.

For design strategy #3, what aspects of the concept do you find most appealing?

For design strategy #3, please describe anything you think could be improved or reconsidered.

Park Activities

Imagine how you’d like to enjoy City Centre Park in the future. The next five questions feature a series of images showing different ways the park could be used - from lush green spaces for relaxing to vibrant event zones. For each question, choose the option that best reflects how you would like to spend time in the park.

10.

How would you like to interact with water?

Water Mist

Water Fountain/Jets

Reflecting Pond

Other (please specify)

11.

How would you like to skate in the winter?

Skate trail

Skate rink

Other (please specify)

12.

How would you like to spend a summer weekend?

Lying on the lawn

Immersed in gardens

Listening to a concert

Other (please specify)

13.

What would you like in an amenity building? (A public washroom has already been identified as an important aspect of the amenity building. Please select additional uses you would like included in the amenity building).

Skate rental

Skate change

Snack bar

Other (please specify)

Final thoughts

14.

What kind of park seating would you enjoy?

Movable seats

Fixed benches

Picnic tables

Other (please specify)

15.

Do you have any specific ideas or inspirations you would like to see reflected in the final design?

16.

Are there any public spaces, in Pickering or elsewhere, that you think serve as a great example of what City Centre Park could become?

17.

How often do you visit the downtown Pickering area (near City Hall/Central Library/The Shops at Pickering City Centre)?

Select option

18.

If you were to use the City Centre Park, how would you most commonly attend - select the one option that resonates best.

By myself

With my spouse/partner

With my family/children

With my co-workers/friends

19.

What are the first 3 digits of your Pickering postal code?

Select option

20.

What age group applies to you?

Select option

21.

Do you have any final thoughts you would like share?

22.

If you would like to receive future updates about City Centre Park and opportunities to participate in the planning process, please leave your email address or subscribe to the project page.