About the Sibelius Square Working Group

[Sibelius Square]

The Sibelius Square Working Group was born of an Annex Residents’ Association review of parks, and a resulting community meeting in September 2004 to discuss Sibelius Square’s multiple uses. Working with the councillor’s office, initial research was presented at a Community Meeting in March, 2006, where a working group with fixed membership was confirmed to ensure representation of key constituencies: immediate neighbours of the park, community gardeners, parents, dog owners, the elderly, the ARA, design professionals, and the rink team. Research and consultation have included a number of community meetings, an on-line survey of approximately 150 respondents, feedback received through the website and email, door-to-door canvassing, interviews in the square, and public design-review meetings.

A major renovation is now underway, funded in part by an allocation of $315,000 from the Section 37 contribution from the development at 100 Spadina Rd. The October 2007 Community Design Vision stated: “The community vision is a space encouraging playful interaction in the heart of the Annex community. The design will achieve a high standard of design coherence and invention, while embracing sustainability.” The City selected PMA Landscape Architects for the design work. PMA consulted with the working group in interpreting the design brief, and in 2008 presented design options for discussion at a well-publicized open community meeting. Contract drawings were completed in the Winter of 2010. Following a lengthily tendering process, construction of phase 1 (playground reconstruction) was completed in the Summer of 2011. After completion of the playground work, the Sibelius Square Working Group conducted a series of on-site surveys in the Park, and compiled recommendations and adjustment for the City and design team so as to ensure that the final implementation was in keeping with the community’s design brief. These included a redesign of the ground treatment at the slide, the closing of holes beneath the enclosure for small children, and additional seating for parents in an area with sight-lines into both sides of the climbing wall. Most of these improvements have been implemented, or will be implemented with the completion of phase 2. Phase 2 (building, playing field/rink and landscape work) began in the Fall of 2011, and should be complete before Summer 2012. Watch for news of the grand opening in June!