The City of Toronto, in partnership with local community groups, has won the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence in Public Space for the innovative Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden. The installation was selected from among 17 qualified submissions in the same category.
The community transformed the intersection into a landmark and gathering space that celebrates the area’s Indigenous history and symbolizes the aspiration to positive international relationships.
“The Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden is the result of hard work and vision by neighbourhood residents, business owners, volunteers and others,” said the Councillor for Ward 14. “I would like to thank the selection committee at the International Downtown Association for recognizing the work of Roncesvalles community and for celebrating the vibrancy of our city.”
The International Downtown Association (IDA) will officially present the award during the IDA Conference and Tradeshow in San Antonio, Texas from October 24 to 26. The Public Space category recognizes capital improvements that have enhanced the urban design, transportation methods, physical function, or economic viability of downtown and the community.
Planning for renewal of the space was initiated by the Friends of the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden community group along with the Roncesvalles Village Business Improvement Area, and the garden officially opened in June 2016. Representatives of the Mississaugas of the Credit were engaged and a number of local volunteers donated their time to reimagine the space. PLANT Architect Inc. was commissioned to create the design concept.
The project was funded primarily through grassroots initiatives as well as by the City of Toronto.
More information about the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden is available at http://dundasroncesvallespeacegarden.com/.
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. The association represents an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit http://www.downtown.org.
This news release is also available on the City’s website: https://bit.ly/2DLTpGN
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