Shape the Future of Brubacher Green!
Brubacher Green is a small urban neighbourhood park that is actively used by the local community. The City is planning updates to this park to better support the function of the space for all park users. Consultants from SHIFT Landscape Architecture have been engaged to lead the redevelopment of this park including conceptual design, final design, and taking the project through to construction completion. Through the summer of 2021, the design team engaged with the public to understand how the park serves the community and to guide the design. As a starting point for discussion, two concepts were presented to show what was possible in the space. After hearing feedback in person and online, and looking at what is needed to bring the park up to current standards, a final, refined concept has been developed. Below, we are excited to reveal the final concept for Brubacher Green. Please review the plan along with an overview video, below. More information can also be found through the links on this page, including timelines for next steps, additional documents, and a summary of engagement input. Click image to open.
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Taking a cue from the surrounding residences and front porch culture in the neighbourhood, this concept includes a "porch" entry with bench seating, little library and message board, a small nature exploration area, painted games, stepping stones through planting areas, and concrete "deck" at grade with individual seating at the rear of the park. A small sand play area with toy storage is at the rear of the park.
Please note this is an example concept only and the final concept will be developed based on feedback from the community and what is possible in the park.
Have any thoughts, questions or ideas about "The Community Backyard" concept for Brubacher Green? Submit them here! Feel free to include stories, images or inspiration photos with your post. View All Ideasabout 1 year ago
Don’t take away the toys/climber
This park is such a great place already and is well used for the features it has now. Maybe add some more trees, but don’t take away the toys, swings, and climber/slide. We don’t need sand, which just collects animal poops. We don’t need more asphalt with painted games - every school yard has that. Im there multiple times a week and no one sits at the benches and tables there is now, but there’s so many kids enjoying the playground.
12 months ago
No hard surfaces
Adding concrete, asphalt and stepping stones would take away from the safe, soft play surfaces of this small but very well used and loved park. It is named Brubacher Green. Let's keep it that way. Driveways, sidewalks and school yards provide hard surfaces for those in need of that type of play. Children enjoy going to Brubacher Green for the equipment and the chance to play with friends. This plan will remove all of the reasons we go to this park.
about 1 year ago
We are a social justice kids camp in Central Fredrick. We love this climber at HNA because it is great for climbing and for imaginary play.
And it reminds us to protect the environment.
about 1 year ago
Don't fix what isn't broken
For the younger kids / toddlers the wood chip ground is nice (they also use it in their play). My 3 year old tends to play more with the cars and truck toys than on the play structure but with that said, I don't think you should remove it! There is enough space to move the play structure and add some nice seating areas and the natural play area in the plan. More seating, molok garbage bins is all I'd add.
about 1 year ago
How will community feedback be incorporated into the design and when will this be communicated?
Yesterday I attended the in person pop up at Brubacher Green. Unfortunately, I got the impression that most of the feedback was not going to be taken seriously. It felt like all they wanted to know was which of the two already designed concepts people preferred – with perhaps minor changes to those designs. The survey they asked people to fill out at the pop up (same as on this site) is also set up to just determine preferences between concept 1 and 2. I would like to know if the results of the survey (more so the one comment question) will be made available? I would also like to know how the feedback will be used to inform any changes to the current proposed concepts for the park. And finally, will the community get to see how the feedback was used in adapting the designs prior to any final decisions being made? (Perhaps for future projects, the city should seek this feedback from communities before putting time and money into concepts/designs that the designer becomes attached to.)
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This concept shows a textured "welcome mat" entrance, gathering area with a community table, painted games, individual seating, bench seating, small play area, loop track and perimeter planting.
Please note this is an example concept only and the final concept will be developed based on feedback from the community and what is possible in the park.
Have any thoughts, questions or ideas about the "Hello Neighbour!" concept for Brubacher Green? Submit them here! Feel free to include stories, images or inspiration photos with your post.
View All Ideas12 months ago
Keep the current play equipment (which was fundraised for by the neighbourhood)!
It would be a shame to remove and replace the current play equipment that is in great shape (perhaps the accessible swing could be repaired). This equipment was fundraised for by the neighbourhood. In a time when we should be conscious of unnecessary waste (for the environment) and spending - it seems irresponsible to do this.
about 1 year ago
Leave the park as is. There is a play structure, swings and other toys. These existing elements are used all the time by dozens of families
The proposed elements do not include any actual play elements for children. How does this constitute a park?
about 1 year ago
Concept 2 should be the new park for the play structure
I think that this playground setup thingy would be the best so kids can still have the opportunity to have an actual structure in a park. This would be the best option for the kids and stuff.
about 1 year ago
Toddler Area
My 16 month and I walk to this park all the time. It's been our favourite in the neighborhood because of the toys for little ones. It would be great to have a designated toddler area and also a place to still be able to incorporate the toys. Smithson and Manchester Park also need a serious makeover! Also Shade would be great! Not a lot of shade especially in this heat so we often go early in the morning. Love the idea of a natural play area!
12 months ago
Not enough room for equipment
This plan shows too much pavement and seating for this small children's park. Brubacher Green was created as a safe place for young children to play and hard surfaces will defeat that purpose. Also, the only area allowing for the installation of equipment is so small it couldn't even hold the climber that currently exists at the park. The park would lose all of the features that make it attractive to the families that have used it over the past 31 years. Please add more trees for shade but leave the park equipment.
Site photos
Videos
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An overview and walk-through of the refined concept presentation for Brubacher Green in Kitchener, Ontario.
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-741-2600 x4151 Email Rebecca.Roy@kitchener.ca -
Email mbarker@shiftland.com -
Email dduhan@shiftland.com -
Email sabihas@kitchener.ca
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