Time to unwind

Decision 5: Time to unwind

It’s a sunny Saturday and you have a few hours to relax before dinner. You want to catch the last day of sun outside before the forecast shifts back to rain. You grab your keys and head outside - where do you go?

  • 🔼Triangle

    You walk/roll over to your neighbourhood park. You find a spot in one of the grassy areas and close your eyes. You can feel the sun on your face and hear the birds in the trees and the children laughing as they try and fly a kite on the other side of the park. It feels like a total escape from the city and great to have some alone time.

  • ⏺️Circle

    You walk/roll over to the main retail street near your home. You notice some of the new changes—wider sidewalks, spots to sit and hang out, and plants and trees that make the space feel calm and sheltered from the busy street. You find a spot in the sun and sit down when a friend sits across from you. You hadn’t planned it, but it’s great to catch up.

  • ⏹️Square

    You head to a new public plaza and find the perfect spot – sunny enough to be warm, but shaded enough by trees to be comfortable. You take in the sights and sounds of the vibrant space – noticing the busker playing guitar at one end, people grabbing lunch from a food truck parked near the bike racks, and a family blowing bubbles near the rain garden.

Making informed decisions

Cities aren’t just places to live and work—they’re also where we relax, connect, and recharge. Where we spend our downtime says a lot about how we’ve planned our city. As Kitchener grows, we’ll need to think carefully about how to create spaces that are not just functional, but enjoyable; places to stop, gather, and connect, not just pass through.

Key considerations include:

People need a variety of public spaces. Sometimes you want a peaceful park, and at other times you may be drawn to busier places with more energy and people. That’s why it’s important to design a mix of spaces that support different moods, needs, and experiences, in support of connection and belonging.

It’s not just about where it is, but also how it feels to be there. Are there places to sit in the sun and the shade? Are you protected from traffic, noise, and weather? Can you easily access the space with a stroller, wheelchair, or bike? Spaces that feel safe, comfortable, and welcoming to all ages and abilities are the ones people return to again and again.

That includes shade, seating, greenery, accessible design, and activation. Each type of space requires different levels of maintenance and coordination. Some spaces thrive with minimal intervention, while others—like plazas—need regular upkeep and programming to stay active.

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