Welland Canal Park
Welland, Ontario
Photo Credit: Janet Rosenberg Studio
CASE STUDY
Initial Research by: Carl Valdez
Edited by: Samantha Miller & Nicole Brekelmans
Case study compiled in 2019
Project: Welland Canal Park
Type of Urban Strategy: Water
Type of Project: Urban Park Recreational Waterway / Cycle Paths
Location: Welland, Ontario
Date Designed/Planned: 2003
Construction Completed: 2005
Designer: Janet Rosenberg & Studio and CS&P Architects
The Welland Canal Park and Civic Square demonstrate how architecture can promote social equity, reduce isolation, or embody social justice. This is achieved through the design of a broader recreation network running along the scenic and historic canal. The design aims to strengthen connections to the canal with bridges, gardens, and viewing platforms.
“Welland’s Civic Square and Library were designed to rejuvenate the downtown core. Our vision for the surrounding parkland focused on re-connecting residents with the edge of the historic Welland Canal. A series of galvanized ramps and viewing platforms hover over the former walls of the canal, recalling the industrial history of the site. A planting palette of long grasses and roses creates a structured, park-like atmosphere. Walkways connect the square to the heart of the city, attracting visitors and reasserting the place of the canal in residents’ daily lives.”
(Janet Rosenberg & Studio, 2012)
CONTEXT
SITE ANALYSIS
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
GOAL OF THE PROJECT
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND DECISION MAKING PROCESS
CITATIONS
Welland Canal Park & Civic Square | Janet Rosenberg and Studio. (2012). Retrieved from https://jrstudio.ca/content/welland-canal-park-civic-square
Welland Canal Park & Civic Square. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2015/04/welland-canal-park-civic-square-by-janet-rosenberg-studio/
PROGRAMMED ELEMENTS
Located right in the heart of the city, Welland’s Civic Square embodies the essence of the city through the showcase of art, new and old architecture, beautiful street fronts that are all within the distance of the canal.
A series of galvanized ramps and viewing platforms hover over the former walls of the canal, recalling the industrial history of the site. A planting palette of long grasses and roses creates a structured, park-like atmosphere. Walkways connect the Square to the heart of the city, attracting visitors and reasserting the place of the canal in residents’ daily lives. The design of the canal parkland ties strategically into a broader recreation network running along the scenic and historic canal. Bollards are used to define a lane for cars and allow the landscape to read as an accessible and unified open urban space. A concrete plateau and sloped grass plane help to visually define and organize the space and can be also used as a stage and seating area for small concerts and events. Lighting, signage, walkways, seating, sculptural elements, and a planting strategy have all contributed to making this a welcoming and dynamic public space and civic landscape (Janet Rosenberg & Studio, 2012).
PROJECT IMPACT
FUNDING
MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Welland Canal Park & Civic Square is currently owned by the city of Welland and managed by its Public Works Department (Landezine, n.d.).