Notes from Workshop #4
Public Buildings, Spaces and Activities
March 19, 2009
Facilitator: Sarah During
Present: 2 CLG members; 9 residents; 3 HRM staff
Process:
- The workshop was opened with general introductions and a brief presentation by David Lane, Senior Planner, on what makes public spaces fail and what makes them succeed.
- Next, there was a discussion of current community assets generally in the following categories:
Public buildings
- Schools
- Library
- Churches (with groups & spaces open to all)
- Findlay Community Centre, North Woodside Community Centre, East Dartmouth Community Centre (but not in the immediate area)
Public spaces
- Local neighbourhood parks (add to inventory mountain bike park on Mount Edward)
- Lakes & buffers around them
- Trails & walking paths
- Wetland behind industrial park
Community programs
- Penhorn/Woodside CLG website and Facebook site
- Childcare in Woodlawn Mall
- Library programs
- Hrmyouth.ca website
- HRM Kids through Recreation
- Health Unit in East Dartmouth Community Centre
Community activities
- Tree lighting
- Lake clean-ups
- Neighbourhood Watch
- PTAs
- Horseshoes - Findlay
- Lawn bowling
- St. James Church – floor hockey
- Coffee house/dances/special needs
3. A Visual Preference Survey (VPS) was conducted on the theme of public buildings, spaces & community activities and programs. View the VPS results  [PDF, 3.4MB]).
4. Finally a discussion was led by Sarah on how the community can build on its existing strengths and what role it can play in advancing these ideas forward. Items with “*” identify ideas which the community can lead or take an action on:
- Allocated spaces for skateboarders where they can feel safe *
- MISA satellite office to welcome newcomers
- Art spots, murals to address graffiti
- A centre/gathering place for community, seniors, all ages (building, which could include housing or perhaps part of the old mall)
- Activities fro youth and young adults that are not expensive (e.g. a park, outdoor rink, drop-in, Pavillion like venue, approach community groups to host events) *
- Cycling – bike lanes, bike paths and better parking
- Safe pedestrian crossway between Penhorn and Woodlawn
- Car nights,. Bike nights (A&W) *
- Moms and baby care, family care (contact Public Health) *
- Weekly Food Bank service in the area, thrift clothing (only exist downtown and Salvation Army on Pleasant Street) *
- Boat access to lakes
- Art displays/public art (commemorative, functional like bike racks and benches, water fountains, sidewalk art etc)
- Nocturne event in Dartmouth
- Beautify Portland Street – flowers, trees on the curbside (start with the petunias) *
- Public market (flea market, art/antique, music) *
- Fix our roads!
- More garbage/3 stream bins in public spaces
- Clean up programs *
- Crosswalk safety – lengthen time, lighting, don’t like pressing buttons to cross
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