Francis Green is a small urban park in the heart of Kitchener. The park is a popular spot for local tours because it has seven pieces from the Industrial Artifacts Project. The artifacts represent Kitchener’s industrial heritage and are part of the city’s public art collection.
To see what Francis Green looks like now, watch this video or view the site and aerial photos we took in 2025.
Francis Green Summer 2025
Aerial photos
Francis Street South view
King Street West view
West side view
Halls Lane view
Public art
Both conceptual designs prepared for Francis Green include all seven artifacts currently in the park. The large Press Artifact at the corner of King and Francis will stay in its current location. Concept A places the remaining six artifacts throughout the park. Concept B places three of the artifacts along Francis Street where people can see them from the sidewalk.
Materials
The industrial heritage of downtown Kitchener inspires materials like wood, steel and brick. In our designs we have considered how these materials can be used in different ways. Wood provides warmth and is being shown as part of site furniture. Steel can be used to anchor the park with light poles, overhead structures and play equipment. Brick is connected to the factory buildings and is being shown for buildings and low walls.
Limitations
Because of the park’s limited size (2,000 square meters) and some of the industrial artifacts are unmovable, there are certain amenities we cannot consider for this space. For example, a dog park or an event facility will not fit here. Instead, play, seating and connective pathways are the main considerations in both concepts.
FAQ
We've answered some of your most commonly asked questions in the FAQ.
The park redesign in Option A has three main areas:
- An open lawn is located at the south end
- A playground sits in the center of the park, and is connected to the open lawn by a mounded lawn
- A small plaza surrounds the Press Artifact at the corner of King and Francis
With tall buildings around the park, it’s important to make people comfortable. A curving overhead “ribbon” connects the three main areas and helps the park feel comfortable and welcoming. The playground features smooth, sculptural shapes that look playful and urban. They fit into the downtown setting and work for all abilities and age groups. The playground has fencing on the west side, with the east and south sides remaining open.
Renderings
The park redesign in Option B has two main areas:
- A playground is located to the south
- A seating area is placed at the center
Wide pathways connect all four sides of the park, making it easy to move through the space. Raised lawns, trees in the center, and a shade structure all create a defined space in the center of the park. The mounded lawns provide separation from the street while keeping views open. The playground includes active play features with a focus on fitness for children and adults. The playground has fencing on the west and south sides. The north and east sides remain open.
Renderings
