Shipyards Public Realm Plan

The Town of Collingwood is seeking your input into the design of the public, and privately owned but publicly accessible spaces along Sidelaunch Way - north of First Street. The “Shipyards Public Realm Plan” seeks to integrate all five of these publicly owned spaces along Sidelaunch Way as well as looking at how the roadway area can safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and cars.

What is a Public Realm Plan?

A public realm plan is described as a design exercise and resulting document that lays out the streetscape elements that bring the spaces together in a cohesive manner to create a distinct feeling of connectedness and place. Considerations such as lighting, seating, accessibility, amenities and infrastructure, active programming and non-motorized pedestrian access and movement, are all examined to ensure maximum benefit for the public.

Background:

Brook McIlroy, Architecture and Urban Design Consultants, developed the Waterfront Master plan in 2016, which is a vision for the Town on how to develop the public spaces along the waterfront. As private development around a key component of the Waterfront Master Plan became active, Council and staff felt it was important to move forward on the design of this space; a public park opportunity between Sidelaunch Way and Huron Street. This led to a need for consideration of how best to consolidate community interest and thinking about this unique and culturally valuable area in the community. Brook McIlroy was in Shipyards Public Realm Plan.

Objective:

The objective is to create a Council approved, cohesive Public Realm Plan and design guidelines, to guide both public and private improvements along the waterfront and Shipyards development. Geographic limits of the the Town owned public area include:

• South and east of the Side Launch channel,
• Side Launch Way,
• Hurontario Street north of Huron Street

Also under consideration are the publicly accessible aspects of the following developments:

• Collingwood Quay (Block 6 – Side Launch Way)
• Collingwood Harbour House (31 Huron Street)
• Dunn Capital Hotel / Residential project
• Town of Collingwood Public Piazza Park (west of 31 Huron Street)

Design guidelines will form an addendum to the Waterfront Master Plan and will be embedded in the Official Plan as stringent guidance for all future implementations of this space.