Toronto Nathan Phillips Square + Spirit Garden | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto

[dt_toronto_geek]

I was by there on Monday & there was fencing up around that ugly PanAm Welcome Centre and the new building near the Queen/Bay corner. Walking around, thinking what should have been while choking on food truck fumes, really depressed me.

 

[interchange42]

Right now-ish:

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[interchange42]

…and a little later:

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[adHominem]

Pretty spectacular contrast between dt_toronto's (not unjustified) downer post followed immediately by i42's amazing photos.

 

[NBGtect]

I think some people want a square to be green and treed, like a park or with a big friggin fountain. But in order to have stages and signs and tents and vendors, there needs to be open space like there is here. So not quite sure what "could have been" means when the square is currently able to support animated activities rather than just look green or be wet. The Toronto sign looks very European (i.e. loud and proud) in design with big letters letting people know what city they are visiting in case they got here by accident. We always thought that massive letters spelling TORONTO would look cool going up the side of the CN Tower, but sadly this never happened. Least our idea of putting off fireworks off the CN Tower has come true a few times in our short lifetimes

All you really need to animate a square is to have colourful lights and music to disorient people. I guess a big friggin fountain with colourful lights and music would do the trick too! But the reflecting pool and splash pads here do a decent job of bringing in the crowds.

So what really does, "what could have been," mean?

 

[interchange42]

I'd like to see the TORONTO letters become a semi-permanent feature on the roof of the canopy at Yonge-Dundas Square…

…but it would be great to see them appear here and there over the years, incorporated creatively into various events. Could they be installed atop the podium of the Lightbox during TIFF? Sure, or maybe on the roof of Roy Thomson Hall. Have them floating on a barge in the middle of the Harbour during the Redpath Waterfront Festival. Scatter them around the Distillery or Kensington Market as a draw to have visitors discover all their nooks and crannies. Line them up along the 401 at Pearson. Close the west sidewalk of the Grand Ave. bridge over the Gardiner so that they welcome drivers coming into town before they swing around Humber Bay. Affix them between the columns of Union Station (where the TO2015 banners are now) and make the lights go crazy during Nuit Blanche or Luminato. Place them on Polson Pier with the skyline behind them so people can make their own postcard views…

…and bring them back to Nathan Phillips Square for the biggest events there.

The possibilities are endless.

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[Tewder]

It's amazing how powerful a simple idea can be. The city's name as icon. Nice.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Some photos from today:

AoD

 

[ehlow]

It'd be so great if the sign was permanent, it's fantastic

 

[stjames2queenwest]

At first I was like "ugh I dunno about that sign" and then I realized that it was in fact AMAZING. Other cities have iconic name signs. The font is good, the lights even better, and the idea of it appearing in different locations is a lot more fun than it being stationary in its placement. I think this was a good way to spend money (as well as the luminous veil)

 

[MetroMan]

Some photos from today:

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AoD

Great pics Alvin. I was there earlier and looking at it now, it's like the Peace Garden was always there. That's the perfect location for it, overlooking Osgoode Hall. A "Peace Garden" in the middle of a bustling square – as it was before – is such an oxymoron. It's perfect where it is now and it'll get even better as the tree canopy grows, creating a real space for contemplation.

I also noticed that the Peace Garden's amphitheatre seating facing the steps across from them, is set up in a way that can be used as a stage. I'd love to see theatre in the park style performances here. We'll likely see small live music performances.

 

[interchange42]

It's great seeing Nathan Phillips Square thronged every day at the moment. Olympics please.

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[arvelomcquaig]

It'd be so great if the sign was permanent, it's fantastic

What’s stopping them from keeping it?

 

[TheTigerMaster]

It'd be so great if the sign was permanent, it's fantastic

We own the sign and the plan is to keep it permanent. Keesmatt sat it may be rotated around to other locations. The thing apparently has a 15 years lifespan.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Fantastic photos everyone! Access to the Peace Garden was fenced off the last time I was by, it looks just great! I do like the open space, it serves wonderfully for open-air events like the Jazz Festival, the market, World Pride, Pan Am and so much more. I was only lamenting last page about what was cut from the NPS budget. Really exciting here though, I'm heading down tomorrow, and to finally see Queen's Quay. Can't wait!