Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK - 2020-03-03 - Item 3 - Survivor Garden - Victoria Park - Design Concept and Design StatementDate: February 14, 2020 To: Heritage Kitchener, March 3, 2020 meeting From: Rebecca Roy,Associate Landscape Architect,519-741-2600 ext. 4151 cc: File Subject: For comment-Survivor Garden, Victoria Park Design concept and design statement Overview Staff is providing an update to Heritage Kitchener on the status of the Survivor Garden project proposed in Victoria Park and to request feedback on the concept design and statement as they relate to section 2.3 Victoria Park in the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan (VPAHCDP). The design and construction of the proposed Survivor Garden will be donated to the City by joint team Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy. The intent of the garden is to provide an inclusive space in Victoria Park to recognize and support those in our community who have survived illness, loss or trauma, as well as those impacted by another’s survivor journey. This garden is aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan, is supported by Council, and presents a distinctive and valuable addition to the Victoria Park landscape to support health and wellness with the complementary opportunity to augment the Romantic Landscape principles as outlined in the VPAHCDP. A brief summary of the project milestones to-date: On May 27, 2019, Council approved the recommendations brought forward by staff in report INS-19-011, appended to this memo (see Appendix A). On July 25, 2019, the Victoria Park Working Group was provided a project update by internal memo On August 6, 2019, Heritage Kitchener was provided a project update by internal memo, appended to this memo (see Appendix A). From June 1 to September 13, 2019 public engagement soliciting input on the design of the garden was conducted via online survey posted on the EngageKitchener platform. A summary of the themes and extracts from the survey comments can be found in the concept statement provided by Gateman Milloy (See Appendix B). Concept Design After the conclusion of the public engagement, the project team at Gateman Milloy used feedback gathered from the online survey as well as from internal City stakeholder groups in 3 - 1 Infrastructure Services, Community Services and Development Services to inform the concept design. The Survivor Garden will be located on the east side of The Meadow area, south of Jubilee Drive, east of the existing parking lot. Existing annual garden beds in this area that contribute to maintenance pressures on staff will be removed; annual planting will be incorporated into the Survivor Garden, however the focus will be on selecting perennial plant material. The proposed design defines and augments the east edge of the meadow and offers the experience of prospect and refuge, meandering pathways, framed views and a naturalistic character. The concept statement provided by Gateman Milloy describes in further detail the design’s alignment with the Romantic Landscape principles outlined in section 2.3 Victoria Park in the VPAHCDP (See Appendix B). Parks & Cemeteries staff have been involved in this project by facilitating the engagement effort online as well as assisting the donor team with understanding and meeting the City’s requirements for the project. Project Timeline The next project stage is to complete the detailed design of the garden, finalizing proposed finishes, site furnishings and custom elements. Gateman Milloy will post a Call to Artists through local channels for the central public art element. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2020. Parks Masterplan Parks & Cemeteries is undertaking a comprehensive review of parks in the city with the intent of outlining an updated strategy and master plan. The new masterplan will address long-range planning, and consequently any future major project proposals for Victoria Park. The Survivor Garden is the final significant request approved in Victoria Park ahead of the new parks master plan, which is anticipated to be complete in 2021. 3 - 2 Appendix Internal Memo submitted to Heritage Kitchener on August 3, 2019 Including Staff Report INS-19-011 3 - 3 Date: July 15, 2019 To: Heritage Kitchener From: Niall Lobley, Director, Parks & Cemeteries, 519-741-2200 ext. 4518 Rebecca Roy, Associate Landscape Architect, 519-741-2600 ext. 4151 cc: file Subject: For information - Survivor Garden, Victoria Park Overview The City of Kitchener has been presented with the unique opportunity to build a Survivor Garden in Victoria Park, where the entire capital project cost for the design and construction will be donated. The donor team is jointly Scott Barker and Gateman Milloy. This project is of personal significance to Scott Barker who is himself on a journey of survival from multiple bouts of cancer, mental health struggles and childhood abuse. The intent of the garden is to provide an inclusive space in Victoria Park to recognize and support those in our community who have survived illness, loss or trauma, as well as those impacted by another’s survivor journey. This garden is aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan and presents a distinctive and valuable addition to the Victoria Park landscape to support health and wellness, with the complementary opportunity to augment the Romantic landscape principles as outlined in the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan. On May 27, 2019, Council approved the recommendations brought forward by staff in report INS-19-011, appended to this memo (see Appendix A). Location: The Survivor Garden will be located around the perimeter of the Meadow area. Though the size and extent of the garden will be confirmed during the design phase, existing garden beds in this area that are not easily maintained by staff will be removed and the garden incorporated into the space. The design intends to augment the edges around the meadow differentiating between prospect and refuge. (See Appendix B) Project Timeline: Public engagement on the design of the garden is currently underway with an online survey accessible through the EngageKitchener platform open until September 1, 2019. The survey can be found at this link: https://www.engagewr.ca/survivor-garden. The project team at Gateman Milloy will use the feedback gathered from the survey to inform the final design. Staff intends to return to Heritage Kitchener with the final design concept in the winter of 2019/2020. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2020. 3 - 4 Appendix A – Staff Report, INS-19-011 Appended Appendix B – Survivor Garden Location map JUBILEE DRIVE EXISTING GARDEN AREA TO BE WORKED INTO FINAL DESIGN MEADOW AREA TO REMAIN OPEN N END OF INTERNAL MEMO 3 - 5 3 - 6 3 - 7 3 - 8 3 - 9 3 - 10 3 - 11 Appendix B Survivor Garden design concept and concept statement, Gateman Milloy MEADOW AREA TO REMAIN OPEN N 3 - 12 LOCATION MAP - VICTORIA PARK, KITCHENER, ONTARIO for individuals that have gained some capacity for interactions with LOCATION TBD WASTE RECEPTACLE Inward Involvement space for quiet contemplation; spiral walking meditation grounded with centralworld.others and are mentally active. In the garden this is an interior space with individualseating and three protective trellis structures and views to the central sculpturalelement. This space offers prospect and refuge facing the garden centre.table seating for small group interactions.The journey back out into the world along a broad promenade with bench seating,survivor journey for self and others. Origin of the survivor journey; focus is on the experience of the individual; protectedpublic art element, represents the journey to our centre and back out again into theStage of healing Greater opportunity for connection and conversation with others. Large harvestprospect and refuge facing outward to the community. The continuation of the What Makes a Garden a Healing Garden - Ulrika A. Stigsdotter and Patrick Grahn 'THE WOODS' A BEmotional ParticipationCActive ParticipationDOutgoing Involvement FREE LIBRARY LOCATION TBD MATURE SPADED TREES RAISED PLANTER HARVEST TABLE HARVEST TABLE C B SPECIES NATIVE & POLLINATOR 'THE LAKE' MATURE SPADED TREES SIGNAGE LABYRINTH ON GRANITE ROCK B PUBLIC ART FEATURE A ARMOURSTONE WALL CORTEN TRELLIS STRUCTURE BIRD HOUSES (TBD) SIGNAGE SPECIES MATURE SPADED TREES NATIVE & POLLINATOR D BENCH WITH CORTEN FRAME 'THE MEADOW' CONCRETE SEATWALL EXPOSED AGGREGATE (COLOR TBD) CORTEN SIGNAGE COBBLE UNIT PAVER Tdbmf!2;261 Dpodfqu Tvswjwps!Hbsefo Wjdupsjb!Qbsl-!Ljudifofs ADAIRONDAK CHAIR - MAGLIN (METAL) an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It system. The spiral forms the groundwork for the centralway to link the different areas of involvement andcombines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into aa journey to our own center and back again out into theworld labyrinth and organizes the garden space in a meanderingparticipation.meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents : a pattern occurring naturally in plants and the weather Ancient trees growing all over Canada in harsh environments like a log in a lake or the edge of an escapement. Distorted but eachbeautiful and unrelenting to their adverse surroundings; strugglingbut triumphant to survive where nutrients and conditions areunfavorable. SpiralLabyrinth: TRELLIS FEATURE - CORTEN PUBLIC ART INSPIRATIONHARVEST TABLE WITH CORTEN FRAME 3 - 13 SURVIVOR GARDEN VICTORIA PARK, KITCHENER, ONTARIO What does it mean to be a survivor? The answers are vast and quite personal. Multiple times in our lives we can be faced with adversity – illness, loss, abuse or prejudices. In these times we might seek comfort, peace, introspection, and support from others. These moments of connection can have a deep impact on our lives shaping who we are now and who we become. It forces us to contemplate the meaning of life, our existence, and our interactions with those around us. The concept of the Survivor Garden was conceptualized by Mr. Scott Barker, a local entrepreneur, and a survivor of cancer, sexual abuse and drug abuse. While outwardly successful in the community, Scott had found himself at his lowest point when faced with these illnesses. Feelings of despair, grief, anger, and an unwillingness to accept what was happening on a daily basis became a constant struggle. One day while undergoing cancer treatment he was approached by a young woman who offered insight and kind words which would deeply affect his view on life and set him on a new path. Inspired by this interaction and a recent visit to the Cancer Survivors Park in Ottawa, Scott wanted to create a space like this in his hometown; in one of his favorite places; Victoria Park. Scott decided to approach his friend Mike Milloy who he knew could bring this project to life. Mike, the president of Gateman- Milloy Inc., a successful general contractor for over 38 years in the region has the skill and construction knowledge to create such a place. While discussing Scott’s previous battles it became apparent that the garden would reach a larger group of survivors; people who struggle with mental illness, sexual abuse, racism, drug abuse, those who provide support: a list quite lengthy was founded. Gateman-Milloy recognized that not all survivor experiences have a place to be reflected and acknowledged and decided to donate the Survivor Garden to the City of Kitchener. Together Gateman-Milloy and the City of Kitchener reached out to the public for input and came up with a design that would function in this urban park environment. Scott’s experience is inspiring and relatable to many which is why it is so important that we acknowledge and provide support to those in our community. In realizing that others have similar struggles we are able to form a community where individuals feel like they belong and are accepted. We hope this space may facilitate friendships and connections between individuals facing similar struggles while being a healing experience. The Survivor Garden aims to release the stigma surrounding the need for support and instead acknowledge and encourage a community who can hold each other up in times of need while provide a space ofcomfort, solace, support, and something unique to each who use it. EXPERIENCE OF NATURE As individuals we experience nature differently, largely depending on our life situation and the state of our mental health to absorb that information at a specific point in time. In realizing this garden will include such spaces that will allow for varying levels of personal involvement: Inward Involvement, Emotional Participation, Active Participation and Outgoing Involvement. (What Makes a Garden a Healing Garden - Ulrika A. Stigsdotter and Patrick Grahn) Inward Involvement area for individuals where mental resilience has been impacted; physical activity undertaken tends to be private like walking, picking flowers; disturbances are disliked. In the garden, this space is the origin of the survivor journey where the focus is on the individual. It is an internal space for quiet contemplation including a spiral labyrinth and central sculptural element. This space represents the journey to our centre and back out into the world. Emotional Participation area for individuals that have gained some capacity for interactions with others and are mentally active. In the garden this is an interior space with individual seating and three protective trellis structures and views to the central sculptural element. This space offers prospect and refuge facing the garden centre. Active Participation area for individuals who take an interest in their social surroundings, observe people around them and are content with emotional participation and interaction with others. This space holds 2 large harvest tables for seating in a small group setting providing opportunity for interaction and conversation with others in the community. 3 - 14 Outgoing Involvement Area for individuals where mental power is very strong; these individuals show strong leadership skills and take initiative to carry out and follow through their ideas and plans without strong support of others. This area has been represented by a broad promenade that symbolizes the individual’s journey back out into the world ready to take on life’s journey. Seating has been provided with prospect and refuge facing outward toward the community. WHY VICTORIA PARK Central location in the heart of Kitchener, access to public transit, populated and well used park on a daily basis. Park offers something for everyone; it is the hope that this will bring a new dynamic to the park and reach out to more user groups and strengthen the community. Project area and concept design are shown below. DESIGN FEATURES & CONSIDERATIONS Stages of Healing – inward, emotional, active, outgoing Areas of Prospect Refuge – quiet contemplation and reflection CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) – pathway and ‘room’ lighting, deciduous trees, lower growing perennials, grasses and shrub selections. Trellis– rustic (corten steel), place of refuge, solace and observation. Harvest Table – communal gathering space encourages interaction with one another. Custom fabricated piece with wheelchair accessibility. Horticultural Planting Beds – possible for volunteers and visitors to interact in the garden. Plant selection may appeal to the senses –touch (lambs ear or Echinacea), smell (lavender, sage), taste (wild strawberry), hear (rustling of grasses, hummingbirds), see (visuallypleasing color selection; a visitor may also interact by dead heading an annual or daylily. Preference in species selection will be given to those plants that are native and pollinators, while also low in maintenance. 3 - 15 Plant Selection – native and pollinator species combined with seasonal annual planting. Mass plantings will provide for continuity, simplicity, and impact in the landscape. Varying sizes of deciduous and coniferous trees will be planted/spaded in for instant impact. pattern occurring naturally in plants and the weather system. The spiral forms the groundwork Spiral and Labyrinth –Spiral: a for the central labyrinth and organizes the garden space in a meandering way to link the different areas of involvement and Labyrinth: an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a participation. The meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world Images of perfect and imperfect spirals found in their naturalistic form Public Art Feature– A public art piece designed by a local artist to invoke feelings of strength, determination, perseverance, hope and awe. It will represent beauty in unlikely places and the imperfection of life’s challenges. A symbol of peace, harmony and balance, the sculpture will show the tenacious fight of a native tree against the elements. Example of a tree in British Columbia – The Tree on the Lake, Port Renfrew, BC “The “bonsai” tree has attracted more than a few photographers to capture its struggle of endurance, including a winner of the Natural History Museum of London’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. Award or no award, each photograph of the little guy clinging to his dead log has demonstrated its own symbolic twist on survival.” 3 - 16 Ancient trees growing all over Canada in harsh environments like a log in a lake or the edge of an escapement. Distorted but each beautiful and unrelenting to their adverse surroundings; struggling but triumphant to survive where nutrients and conditions are unfavorable. Preservation of the Romantic Landscape and Adherence to the Heritage District Plan – creation of meandering pathways, proposing opportunities for scenic vistas into the garden and outwards to enhance views of the existing: meadow, woods, and lake. VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN th “Victoria Park is one of the nation’s finest examples of a civic park in the 18 century Romantic Landscape style. Laid out in 1894, with the advice of landscape engineer George Ricker, it exemplifies the key qualities of the Romantic Landscape style, namely: naturalistic character, lake, woods, sweeps of grass, meandering drives and paths, antique buildings and monuments, vistas”. Preserving and enhancing these key romantic landscape assets in Victoria Park was very important while planning the Survivor Garden. We believe the design adheres to and achieves this by using the main pathway to clearly define the meadows edge and sweeps of grass while providing areas of refuge suitable for solitary contemplation and reflection. The wooded area shall be enhanced with the addition of mature spaded trees to the area, while the lake views will be enhanced by creating framed views through the use of tree placement, plant selection, and location of entrance/exit to the garden space. In order to create a space that is alluring and naturalistic gentle landforms will be utilized along with native and pollinator planting species selections that also adhere to CPTED guidelines for park safety. A trellis structure will be constructed using corten weathering steel to reflect the parks antique elements and fit in to the romantic landscape. The overall design is based on the spiral in the labyrinth which allows for meandering pathways and opportunities for scenic vistas. In using the labyrinth the mind is opened up to ones senses allowing for intuition and inspiration to occur. While interacting with the labyrinth one is able to reflect inwards; they may find spiritual insight, guidance and inspiration for their journey or they may use it to clear their mind, relieve their burdens, and find solace. We believe the Survivor Garden space will enhance the overall space and its usage while adding another dimension to Victoria Park. “Artificial materials and treatments such as pressure-treated lumber, plastic and pre-cast concrete shall be strongly discouraged” Preference towards selection of materials will be natural / recycled material, while also meeting the test of time with durability and being vandal resistant. 3 - 17 Lighting - “Lighting greatly affects the atmosphere of the landscape. In a Romantic Landscape, the night-time lighting should complement the park layout, define the boundaries and path within and highlight the focal points and vistas. In addition, lighting provides security and direction” “White lighting is recommended for all areas of the paths and exterior buildings” “excessive lighting shall be avoided so as to conserve the romantic atmosphere of the park, particularly at dusk” Garden lighting will provide for direction and safety while being unobtrusive. Landscape lighting will be incorporated where needed – trellis feature, highlight signage for the garden, communal and private seating areas. Plaques & Memorials – “as places of contemplation, parks are an appropriate venue for plaques, memorials and dedications. Appropriately designed and located, they contribute to the landscape. When too numerous or too assertive, they distract. To avoid this, one area of Victoria Park has been selected – the shady woods next to the Pavilion. This is an area with natural characteristics of refuge and serenity appropriate for plaques and memorials“ Due to an overwhelming response from the public outreach the garden will not include any plaques or memorials. Survivors do not want to have their thoughts influenced or be told how to feel, but to experience the space as they see fit. The public’s response was conflicting as to whether motivational quotes would be well received. Some liked the idea, and others were opposed. This will be explored more in further design stages with thought given to an online forum. Furniture “furniture style should contribute to and enhance the naturalistic park character” “design elegance is encouraged” We have chosen seating that is a mixture of metal and wood for a naturalistic feeling. Corten metal will be used throughout the park – trellis, signage, and framing for benches and the harvest table. The adirondack chairs provide comfort and a pop of color in the landscape – they add a cheery feeling to the garden space. 3 - 18 PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY OF RESPONSES (SUMMER 2019) When the public was in engaged in the summer of 2019 the outpouring of responses was favorable and confirmed selected elements of the pre-existing concept. Please see below for a summary of these responses. Q: What would you like to feel in this space? A: Peace, safe, joy, alive, solitude, powerful, pride (vote results: in order of selection) Other answers provided were: sense of belonging, community, a place of self-care and acceptance, understanding, connectedness, part of a group, not all alone, offers resources, connection to nature, appreciation, contemplative, calm, reflective, hopeful, grounding, love and support. Q: How would you use this space? A: Meditation and quiet reflection, a place to feel acceptance, support, connect with others, celebrate, read and write, mark a significant date, connect with others in a quiet way, open discussions and a place to share, connecting with nature, healing through observing and connecting with nature, nourishment in spirit and literally with edible berries, education and information on healing plants. Q: What types of features would you want to see included? Seating Areas, water feature, meditative elements, walking path, sensory elements, architectural elements, interactive elements, a healing labyrinth/walking meditation, accessibility for all, seating option in sun and shade, message/community board, statues, simple fragrant plants, native wildflower garden, pollinator species, plants that attract butterflies, positive words of encouragement, little library, well lit space, sensory elements, survivor tree, compass, place for survivors to share their story online, indigenous plants, large boulders and trees, yoga/thai chi space, bird houses. Q: Are there any features you explicitly do not want included? Noise, distractions, corporate logos or sponsorship, religious symbols, advertising or healing services, strong fragrances, statues, politics, smoking, inspirational quotes, plastic materials, culture specific themes, abstract art pieces, tall grasses or shrubs that obstruct views, interactive features or play equipment, features that encourage groups to hang out. Q:Describe the impact you see this garden having on the community Safe place to reflect and refuel, place to feel peace, healing, connecting, growth, community building, place to gather but not have to share, welcoming, emotional connection and celebration, recognition that everyone walks their own path and that survivors are not alone - recognition that trauma happens, awareness, bringing a different demographic to the park and providing a safe space for the meditative and spiritual groups who already practice in the park, bringing community together, providing a space to grieve, reflect and find the strength to carry on; and quietly celebrate, bringing our diverse cultures and communities together. United we stand divided we fall, a place for people to connect and not feel so alone in their struggles, a place where friendships can develop, outward expression of community’s recognition of struggles those among us are facing, unifying, informative, launch pad for positive community expressions to be experienced recorded and shared with the rest of Canada, a community that heals together grows stronger together and brings hope. 3 - 19