Great Places in Canada
Visitors to this site say that these are great places in Canada. What is your favourite place in Canada? Search the nominations submitted so far, and place your vote!
If your favourite place isn't on our website, consider nominating it!
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Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario
Public Space
The most scenic trajectory through the park is on Highway 60 between Barry's Bay and Huntsville. The park is readily accessible from major urban centres such as Ottawa and Toronto. You can see the boreal forest and its inhabitants, including many Canadian animal icons like the beaver, spotted loon, moose, timber wolf, and the black bear without much exploratory effort...More
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Assiniboine Forest
Winnipeg, MB
Public Space
It is unusual to find a forest within a city, but Winnipeg has one, specifically 700 acres of forest, marsh, and wildlife...More
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Beacon Hill Park
Victoria, BC
Public Space
The crown jewel in Victoria's park system, Beacon Hill Park is an oasis of both natural and landscaped beauty. The park is a spectacular, publicly owned 183-acre property. Wildlife abounds in Beacon Hill Park. More than a hundred bird species occur here, along with a number of mammals such as river otters, raccoons, and squirrels. Sunfish, painted turtles, and crayfish make their homes in the waterways. The park is a perfect blend of natural and recreational features...More
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Beauty Bay
Kenora, ON
Neighbourhood
Nestled alongside Black Sturgeon Lake in beautiful North-Western Ontario, Beauty Bay is located 15 minutes from downtown Kenora. Having originated in 1972 with the establishment of a golf course, Beauty Bay has grown into a residential community where families and retirees can live seasonally or year-round. This intimate and quaint community is home to approximately 125 individuals...More
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Bois-des-Esprits
Winnipeg, MB
Public Space
This is an 80-acre outdoor space that incorporates river bottom, marshland, tall grass prairie, and forest. Wildlife including deer, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and birds live in this area. The Save our Seine organization lobbied hard in 2003 to keep this area as a natural habitat and was ultimately successful. Local wood carvers have carved dead trees throughout the space into representations of people and animals...More
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Botanical Beach (in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Near Port Renfrew, BC
Public Space
Botanical Beach is a beautiful spot to explore. You must first walk along a gorgeous path where the sights, sounds and smells stimulate your every sense. Once you've reached the beach, you can hear and see the waves crashing against the rocks creating huge splashes. You can enjoy a sunrise, a sunset, or simply an afternoon escape. While you're there, don't forget to explore all of the tide pools sculptured in the sandstone, which is home to many living organisms such as Purple Sea Urchins, fish, sea cucumbers, clams, and so much more. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins during their migration...More
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Bowen Park
Nanaimo, BC
Public Space
Bowen Park is located just north of downtown Nanaimo, BC. The 36-hectare parcel of land is minutes away from downtown and could be called the heart of the city. The land was a gift to Nanaimo back in 1855. It was officially registered as a park in 1931, but development of amenities in the park didn't really begin until the early 50s. Throughout its history, Bowen Park has had the support of local citizens. It was the Nanaimo Rotary Club that dedicated itself to improving the park in the early days. Members raised funds, in-kind donations of supplies, equipment, and manpower to clear roadways and build picnic shelters. It was the site of many civic events in what was back then the 4th largest city in BC...More
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Brewer Park Oval
Ottawa, ON
Public Space
Brewer Park Oval is a 400-metre Olympic sized speed skating track located in downtown Ottawa across from Carleton University. It is a volunteer, community-run outdoor ice surface. It is an all-natural ice surface that is built as soon as the weather permits, usually around Christmas, and then maintained until it melts in March...More
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Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Oakville, ON
Public Space
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is conveniently located between Oakville and Burlington just north of the Queen Elizabeth Highway (QEW). Established in 1974, it boasts over 10 km of walking trails, 144 campsites, an outdoor swimming pool, children's farm and play barn, nature centre, 1900s living history museum, and 11 picnic shelters and picnic areas. In the winter, you can ice skate on the Olympic-sized outdoor surface or toboggan down any number of slopes...More
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Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Yarmouth, NS
Public Space
Located at the tip of scenic Cape Forchu, approximately ten minutes from the Town of Yarmouth, the Cape Forchu Lighthouse is home to the first “applecore” style lighthouse with its 75 feet of statuesque beauty and 19 acres of pristine grounds. This towering beacon sits atop picturesque volcanic rocks, and has guided vessels safely into the Yarmouth Harbour since 1840. The light keeper's home is a duplex that housed both the light keeper and his assistant and their families. Today it's a museum, and a Tea Room is located in the kitchen and dining area. The fog building is still functional, but must be sounded manually. Cape Forchu is Nova Scotia's only intact lightstation open to the public. All the others have lost one or more keeper's houses and outbuilding...More
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Cathedral Grove
Near Port Alberni, BC
Public Space
Cathedral Grove is an interpretive forest located close to Port Alberni that shows the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. The story goes that while logging the area BC fallers came upon Cathedral Grove and because of the enormity of the trees, refused to fall them. It features some of the biggest trees in Canada, and is open to visitors 24/7. Parks Canada, as well as numerous community groups, help with maintenance and informative tours of Cathedral Grove. It’s a very big tourist draw, which helps the surrounding communitie...More
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Central Library
Vancouver, BC
Public Space
The Vancouver Central Library was constructed in the shape of a coliseum; however, in keeping with the theme of books, its walls are also slightly offset and actually wrap around the square, enticing the visitor into its centre. The public, exterior spaces are wonderful places to people-watch, relax, and take photos. The interior, glassed concourse level protects you from the often-rainy elements and gives you a grand, unobstructed view of the six floors housing the books, stacks, and staff of the Vancouver Central Library...More
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Central Memorial Park
Calgary, AB
Public Space
Central Memorial Park is a large public space in the heart of downtown Calgary. Redeveloped in the summer of 2010, Central Memorial Park has been rejuvenated by The City of Calgary Parks department. The major concept of this park was to recreate the landscape following the original design that was constructed approximately 100 years ago. One of the biggest elements of the recreation was the intricate pathway system, which allows visitors to access every corner of the site at any angle. The path is made up of City of Calgary trail mix and a discrete heavy aluminum edger, which overall gives the pathway a natural appearance and captures the essence of the original design. Another unique feature of this park is the annual/perennial planting bed designs, which add interest and bring a lot of attention to the seasonal plantings. A majority of the plantings were preserved from the original park and the topsoil mix was recreated to match the original composition...More
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Chinatown
Ottawa, ON
Neighbourhood
Located moments from Parliament Hill and Downtown, Chinatown is a charming neighbourhood where east meets west in the heart of Canada's multicultural capital. Home to the award-winning Chinese imperial style arch. Ottawa's Chinatown welcomes visitors 365 days a year...More
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City Market, Saint John
Saint John, NB
Public Space
The City Market first opened for business in the heart of Uptown Saint John in 1876. It is an indoor space that occupies a full city block and is located on King Square, one of the City’s most important greenspaces...More
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City of Fernie
Fernie, BC
Neighbourhood
Fernie was incorporated in 1904 and now has a population of over four thousand residents. The municipality of Fernie covers a smaller footprint than the social and economic community of Fernie, as many would consider West Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort and other outlying rural areas as part of our community...More
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Clare Street
Victoria, BC
Street
Clare Street is short, sweet, one block long and made up of 24 single family homes. It is located at the edge of the City of Victoria and the District of Oak Bay. It is home to seniors, families with children, home businesses, and a child care centre. It is a stone's throw from a busy main street, and a short walk to all the amenities. The original street was probably built 100 years ago, however most of the homes were built in the 40s...More
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Cultus Lake Park
Cultus Lake, BC
Public Space
Cultus Lake Park is the lower mainland of BC's best-kept secret! It is only about one hour away from Vancouver, yet you are in the country...More
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Ducks Unlimited Trail, "Miner's Marsh"
Kentville, NS
Public Space
Our Ducks Unlimited site, known as "Miner's Marsh" is located just seconds from the downtown core of Kentville. It was officially opened in August of 2010 after 7 years of planning, land negotiation, trail work, grant applications, conservation work, environmental permit applications, and bridge installation. The site includes 1.7 km of walking trails, interpretive signage, picnic areas, benches, viewing stands, and a 100-foot bridge across the Cornwallis River. Amenities at the site are all made to complement the natural landscape of the property, including the color of the bridge, which was designed to blend into the marsh rather than stand out. Crusher dust is used on the trail; viewing stands and boardwalks are constructed from wood. The site is a protected wetland featuring wooded areas, marshland, and ponds. The site is also complemented by the Cornwallis River that runs directly through it and along the north side. The marsh is home to hundreds of species wildlife including ducks, muskrats, frogs, fish, and herons...More
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Granville Street
Vancouver, BC
Street
Granville Street is known as the entertainment district of Downtown Vancouver and is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. During the 1950s, Granville Street attracted many tourists to one of the world's largest displays of neon signs. In the middle of the 20th century, the Downtown portion of Granville Street had become a flourishing centre for entertainment, known for its cinemas (built along the "Theatre Row," from the Granville Bridge to where Granville Street intersects Robson Street), restaurants, clubs, and the Vogue and Orpheum theatres...More
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Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
Halifax, NS
Public Space
The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market opened in August 2010 along the city's waterfront, in a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly building. It has more than 4000 square metres, almost double the size of its previous location. In addition to the spacious vendor areas and storefronts, the Market boasts harbour views, a rooftop garden, a “living wall” (a wall of plantlife for air filtration), wind turbines, and outdoor meeting and shopping areas...More
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Heartland Forest
Niagara Falls, ON
Public Space
This location is deserving of an award as it is a barrier-free (fully wheelchair accessible) nature trail with a wheelchair accessible treehouse AND playground. It is also FREE ... there is absolutely no cost to visit and walk amongst the protected forest and wetland areas. At any time you can see a variety of animal and plant species. It is just gorgeous there...More
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Hecla Provincial Park
Near Riverton, MB
Public Space
The park was established in August of 1969 and opened for public use in 1975. The year 2005 marked its 30th anniversary. Hecla is 6.5 km wide and 26.5 km long. Other islands which are a part of Hecla Provincial Park include Black Island, Goose Island, Deer Island, Punk Island, and Little Punk Island. In 1926, the present Gull Harbour Lighthouse was constructed; the original one was built in 1898...More
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High Street
Grand Falls Windsor, NL
Street
High Street is located in the beautiful Town of Grand Falls Windsor along the Exploits River. Situated in the downtown core of the Town, High Street is the main source of economic, civic, and recreational activity...More
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Icefields Parkway (Highway 93)
Banff to Jasper, AB
Street
The natural, pristine beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks with excellent public access along the Icefields Parkway is world-renowned. Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Maligne Lake, Banff and Jasper townsites, are among the fabulous highlights. It is readily accessible by motorized and non-motorized methods as well as by foot. The broader community of Canadians and foreign tourists are welcome to travel the Parkway...More
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Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls, ON
Public Space
Kakabeka Falls is a waterfall on the Kaministiquia River, located beside the village of Kakabeka Falls in the municipality of Oliver Paipoonge, Ontario, 30 km west of the city of Thunder Bay. The name "Kakabeka" comes from the Ojibwe word gakaabikaa "waterfall over a cliff". The falls has a drop of 40 m, cascading into a gorge carved out of the Precambrian Shield by meltwater following the last glacial maximum. Because of its size and ease of access, it has been consequently nicknamed "the Niagara of the North"...More
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King Street
Lunenburg, NS
Street
"UNESCO FRESCO" is the nickname of King Street, which is at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The street was established in 1753 as part of the town’s original British town plan of residential and commercial streets. King Street, along with the other streets in town, has remained unaltered since its early construction. With its colorful houses dating back to the 1830s, this street is cheerful and bright in almost any weather. Three blocks in length and the widest in the town plan, it stretches from Pelham St. near the harbor to Cumberland St., where it meets up with Lunenburg's historic parade square...More
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Komoka Provincial Park
London, ON
Public Space
This provincial park straddles the municipal boundaries of the City of London and Municipality of Middlesex Centre. Land acquisition began in the early 1970s, and 198 hectares were regulated in 1989 under the former Provincial Parks Act. The park protects a portion of the Thames River, a Canadian Heritage River in addition to significant natural heritage features including species at risk...More
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LaHave River
Near Bridgewater, NS
Neighbourhood
This neighbourhood is located near the beautiful town of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. There have been people living here and fishing for a living for many, many years. At one time, there was a fish plant here but it has since closed. This area is a favourite spot for tourists because it is so picturesque and there is much history here. I grew up about 80 miles from here so it has always been one of my favourite parts of Canada, and that is saying a lot. I have travelled by plane and motor vehicle across this scenic country more times than I can remember...More
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Lake Koocanusa
BC
Public Space
It is a lake in British Columbia where the waters are clean and crisp. It is a great place to camp with the kids and is full of memories for many people. It is called Koocanusa because it is a river that is dammed, the Kootney river, hence the KOO part of the name; it is partly in CANada and the other part is in the USA.. That is why it is called KOO CAN USA...More
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Le parc du mont Royal
Montreal, QC
Public Space
Le parc du mont Royal est un lieu de convergence pour les résidents du centre-ville de Montréal, les jeunes des grandes écoles autour du mont Royal, les aînés, les touristes du Canada et d'ailleurs, des francophones d'Outremont et des anglophones de Westmount. Diverses activités récréatives se déroulent à chaque saison autour et sur le lac des Castors. En 1874, le Québec vote la première loi pour protéger ce milieu naturel. Depuis 1938, le lac des Castors est un bassin artificiel aménagé par l'architecte-paysagiste, Frédérick Todd et son secteur a été réaménagé en 2005. Les Amis de la Montagne est un organisme citoyen qui veille à la sauvegarde de ce milieu naturel...More
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Liberty Street Linear Park
Toronto
Public Space
Located in the creative and vibrant neighborhood of Liberty Village, Liberty Street Linear Park is located on the north side of Liberty Street between Fraser Ave. and Jefferson Ave. The Liberty Village neighbourhood is a mixed-use community with live/work buildings, offices, residential and retail shops contained in a mix of building types including townhouses, towers and mid-rise buildings. A number of heritage buildings in the area have been retained, reflecting the neighbourhood's past. Liberty Street Linear Park is a public space that contributes to the beauty and open space in the community, as well as, serving as a gathering place and north-south pedestrian connection. The park occupies the strip of land between a large parking lot next to Lamport Stadium, and the neighbourhood's main thoroughfare, East Liberty Street. On Liberty Street, between Fraser Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, paving stones, benches, sod and ground cover, low-level ambient lighting and an irrigation system for the vegetation were installed. The plan created “rooms” along an extended wall area, which encourages sitting, eating lunch or holding meetings...More
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Lion's Head
Northern Bruce Peninsula, ON
Neighbourhood
Lion's Head is a village within one of the most dramatic landscape features in the province. The rugged 400-million-year-old cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment that surround this community plunge into the deep turquoise waters of Georgian Bay. This is an intriguing community that offers outdoor experiences for every enthusiast, and that is committed to maintaining a balance between development and the protection of the natural environment as part of its UNESCO World Heritage designation...More
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London Road Neighbourhood
Lethbridge, AB
Neighbourhood
Developed between the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the London Road Neighbourhood is one of the most well established neighbourhoods in Lethbridge and is centrally located adjacent to Downtown. London Road is home to over 3,500 residents, and this population has remained very stable throughout the years due to a good balance of post-secondary students, young families, and senior citizens...More
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Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park
Vancouver, BC
Public Space
The Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, Vancouver is the best-kept "secret" in Canada. Thousands of people walk, run, stroll, bike, and rollerblade along the seawall of Stanley Park, yet many go past the Lost Lagoon without even knowing it exists! For those of us who enjoy its serenity and beauty, we can't wait to get back there whenever we visit...More
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Main Street
Summerland, BC
Street
Located in the heart of downtown, Main Street is roughly four blocks long, with Rosedale Ave and Victoria Rd at either end. The street is over 100 years old...More
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Main Street
Warkworth, ON
Street
Warkworth is a small, rural town nestled in the rolling hills of Northumberland, approximately 90 miles east of Toronto, Ontario. Although Main Street is less than a mile long, it features a vibrant community of unique stores, boutiques, studios, and a stylish coffee shop. Over the past few decades, it has grown from a simple farming community into a thriving artistic and social location that showcases many seasonal events...More
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Maligne Canyon Hike
Jasper, AB
Public Space
Maligne Canyon is located in Jasper National Park. There is a one to two hour hike that you can do that has six bridges in total and is approximately 3.5 km long one way. Although there are six, my favorite place to start this hike is at the fifth bridge (there is a beautiful picnic area there, and it cuts a little bit of time off your hike). There are a number of springs, where water flows beneath you under limestone boulders. When you are hiking upstream, you will find that the springs become more frequent and dramatic. The Maligne valley narrows to a canyon as you reach the fourth bridge and the views get even better! The sound of the canyon is so amazing and this is one of my favorite places to go in Jasper! Make sure you wear comfortable hiking/running shoes and dress appropriately. Don't forget your camera and binoculars too...More
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Marysville
Fredericton, NB
Neighbourhood
Marysville was a planned community developed at the height of the industrial revolution when it was becoming not only fashionable to provide industrial workers with better living accommodations, but also proven to be more economically efficient and profitable. Industrialists were finally realizing that providing workers with better housing resulted in more productivity from them. Alexander “Boss” Gibson planned the community so that his mansion was the epicentre of the community and was located on the west side of the Nashwaak River overlooking the cotton mill on the east side of the river. The cotton mill workers all lived in 58 duplex brick tenements beside the cotton mill. There were a number of local names to describe certain areas of the community like Brick Hill, Mud Alley, Punkin Centre, Front Row, etc. The managers, including Gibson, lived on the west side of the Nashwaak in a long row of houses locally known as Nob Hill...More
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Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden
St. John's, NL
Public Space
Established in 1971, the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden is located at 306 Mount Scio Road, situated on the north side of St. John’s. The Garden encompasses 110 acres, mostly a managed and interpreted nature reserve featuring a large natural pond, fens, streams, mature boreal forest, and an old forest-fire regeneration area. The Garden also has 5 acres of cultivated gardens including heritage gardens, wildlife friendly gardens, shade gardens, medicinal gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, vegetable gardens, and alpine house. The Garden’s field centre features indoor interpretive displays about various aspects of gardening and natural history as well as hosting a variety of art shows featuring local artists’ images of nature. Their gift shop and café will complete any visit to this great place...More
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Millennium Park
Creston, BC
Public Space
Discover a pocket of paradise in the heart of the Kootenays in a town called Creston. Creston is in fact a natural paradise with a unique climate of its own. A place where the climate is mild, the views are stunning, and quality of life is the best. Creston’s outdoor Millennium Park opened in 2004, thanks to amazing efforts by the Creston Valley Rotary Club, Creston Valley citizens, service groups, and businesses. It is located on 16th Avenue South, at Dogwood Street, on land that was donated to the Town by Crestbrook Forest Industries. The park features unique landscape elements and a variety of ornamental trees. The locally designed and constructed Japanese-style garden was a generous gift from Creston’s sister city of Kaminoho, Japan...More
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Miller Point Peace Park
Dayspring (near Bridgewater), NS
Public Space
Along the LaHave River is a beautiful park for strolling, sitting, having a picnic or walking your dog, Beautiful trees, flowers and river scenery...More
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Minden Boardwalk
Minden, ON
Public Space
The Township of Minden Hills invites everyone to come out and enjoy the completed Minden Riverwalk pathway along the beautiful Gull River running through downtown Minden, along with the newly completed Boardwalk, constructed through the existing Minden Walking Trail. It displays flora and fauna of the area while providing a comfortable walking environment for residents and visitors to Minden...More
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Mississauga Celebration Square
Mississauga, ON
Public Space
Located outside of Mississauga City Hall in the downtown core, Mississauga Civic Square opened in 1987. In 2011, $40 million was spent to revitalize the space, which was reopened and rebranded as Mississauga Celebration Square...More
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Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto, ON
Public Space
Nathan Phillips Square is an outdoor plaza located immediately in front of Toronto City Hall, on the northwest corner of Queen and Bay Streets. The square opened in 1965.The square is paved with concrete surrounding a reflecting pool that serves as a skating rink in winter months. It is a free gathering place for leisure and community events...More
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Niagara River Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie, ON
Street
I imagine the Niagara River Parkway has existed since the Niagara Parks Commission created it along with the help of Mother Nature. Its purpose is to display the beauty that naturally exists along the Niagara River. The cities and towns, along with their citizens, do a great job improving and maintaining the simple beauty of the Niagara Parkway. It is visited many ways: hiking, walking, running, cycling, buses, planes, trains and automobiles, helicopters, motor bikes. I have even seen a Penny Farthing. There are many trails down to the water’s edge where shore fishing is enjoyed. The waterway also has much activity from paddling in the water, and even the use of small to large water vehicles (canoes, paddle boats, motor boats, power boats, sail boats, sightseeing cruises) It would be nice to have quieter boats down the river, i.e., river cruises with dancing and dining...More
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Officers' Square
Fredericton, NB
Public Space
For 230 years and counting, Officers’ Square has been Fredericton’s main public gathering space. Back in its heyday, it started off as the soldiers’ training grounds and was located adjacent to the military barracks. Gradually, it has come to form a part of a whole row of public, civic, and institutional uses along Queen Street, the historic core´s main axis. Officers´ Square lies in the centre of this historic and cultural area, equidistant from City Hall to the west as it is to the Provincial Parliament Building to the east...More
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Old Montreal
Montreal, QC
Neighbourhood
Old Montreal can be measured by the number of people visiting it. It has reached millions of people, including regional residents. It is located on the waterfront and the access is easy by subway or walking from downtown Montreal. Several old buildings made the renown of this beautiful location...More
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Old Ottawa South Neighbourhood
Ottawa, ON
Neighbourhood
Old Ottawa South (OOS) is a vibrant urban community in the heart of Canada's capital of Ottawa with a population of approximately 3,000 households (about 10,000 residents). The area developed as an early suburb at the turn of the last century, and was annexed by the City in 1907...More
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Old Port of Montreal
Montreal, QC
Public Space
In the summer, this is a gathering and entertainment centre of Montreal. On the water of the St. Lawrence, there are piers with the Montreal Science Centre, a promenade stretching the length of the port adjacent to the old city that is a tourist destination...More
