Towne Square

Project on hold

The proposed Towne Square improvements are on hold. In the Council Strategic Action Plan Update 2023-2026 (pdf), work is targeted for completion in Q2 of 2026.

As part of our plan to revitalize Oakville's historic downtown, we are redesigning Towne Square, a small but unique public space located at 210 Lakeshore Road.

Towne Square is an important space for the business community and residents. Building on the work done on the downtown streetscape design, a new design for Towne Square will enhance the vibrancy of the neighbourhood and provide more opportunities for public events.

The redeveloped Towne Square will complement the Lakeshore Road streetscape and will incorporate the traditional style of furniture and materials endorsed by local residents and businesses and approved by Council in 2017 as part of the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project.

Preferred design concept – “Turning Leaves”

After extensive public and stakeholder consultation the town presented a final preferred design concept “Turning Leaves” for Towne Square at a public meeting held Tuesday, April 9 at the Trafalgar Park Community Centre. At the conclusion of the presentation, community members were in favour of the design with the expectation that town staff commit to:

Increasing the amount of tree planting in the square
Reducing the size of the proposed water feature, particularly the ‘width’ in the north-south dimension.

Review the final design concept (pdf). Highlights of the "Turning Leaves" design include:

Maintains key existing elements but replaces paving, furnishings, light fixtures and tree planters to match the Lakeshore Road streetscape redevelopment
Central lawn area
New tree plantings
Granite seatwalls and retaining walls, paved pedestrian ramp along George Street corridor and assorted horticultural garden beds
Softened grade transition between the lawn and the paved areas augmenting seating opportunities and providing a safe accessible route
Mixture of both fixed and flexible seating options throughout the square
New prominent water feature that will connect Lakeshore Road and the Square
Additional architectural lighting that will enhance the space for year-round enjoyment

Critical factors considered when determining a new design for Towne Square:

How the space is currently being used by the public and Downtown BIA and how they would like to use it in the future
Accessibility
Neighbourhood impact
Site constraints such as size, slope, the underground parking garage, limitations on landscaping/planting, proximity to businesses and condos
Sustainability and ongoing maintenance
Timing

Public consultation

January to March 2019 - We held a round of consultation with key stakeholders on the facelift option including Ward 3 resident associations, the two residential condos bordering Towne Square, Brosko Property Management, the Downtown BIA, and the town’s Ward 3 Councillors. We have refined this concept further and have a final preferred concept to share with the public on April 9.

November 8, 2018 to January 14, 2019 - Two refined concepts were presented at a public meeting. A hybrid option incorporating features from the four concepts presented in June and a facelift option that is an enhanced version of the existing design. The public also shared feedback through an online survey until January 14, 2019.

The facelift option was the favoured concept (about 75 per cent support).

June 28, 2018 - Four preliminary design concepts presented at public meeting.