Tell us what you think of the Garrison Plaza design!

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The City is introducing an updated conceptual design plan for ‘Garrison Plaza’, a social and play area being planned as part of the Garrison District Master Plan.

As part of public engagement for the Recreation & Leisure Master Plan, residents highlighted that inclusive, accessible, multi-generational public spaces are important community values.  The updated conceptual design considers this public input, with a shift from ‘form’ to ‘function and playability’ through features such as ample and varied seating, shaded seating, musical and multi-sensory play equipment, interactive accessible play equipment, tactile treatments for visual impairments, an accessible ramp and at-grade surfaces that allow for accessible movement throughout the site, water feature, and a pétanque surface. 

The proposed Garrison Plaza social and play area is located outside of the designated National Historic Site in an area that was formerly part of Campbell Street and has more recently formed part of the parking lot between the library and public washrooms.  The concept includes design elements that seek to create an appropriate transition from Officers’ Square to this urban space.  This includes intentional use of materials such as Cor-Ten steel and wood, complimentary integration of the Fredericton tartan into the play area surface, and a treed ‘front porch’.   


Stakeholder engagement on the design was held with the City’s Social Inclusion Committee, Age Friendly Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, and with Ability NB and the design was presented to City Council’s Livable Community Committee on February 6, 2025.   

Check out the conceptual design on Engage Fredericton or come learn more about it during the following public engagement sessions: 

  • February 9th from 1pm – 3pm at Officer’s Square during the FROSTival Family Skate;  
  • February 13th from 5:30-7:30pm Open House at the Fredericton Public Library (Chickadee Room). 


 

The City is introducing an updated conceptual design plan for ‘Garrison Plaza’, a social and play area being planned as part of the Garrison District Master Plan.

As part of public engagement for the Recreation & Leisure Master Plan, residents highlighted that inclusive, accessible, multi-generational public spaces are important community values.  The updated conceptual design considers this public input, with a shift from ‘form’ to ‘function and playability’ through features such as ample and varied seating, shaded seating, musical and multi-sensory play equipment, interactive accessible play equipment, tactile treatments for visual impairments, an accessible ramp and at-grade surfaces that allow for accessible movement throughout the site, water feature, and a pétanque surface. 

The proposed Garrison Plaza social and play area is located outside of the designated National Historic Site in an area that was formerly part of Campbell Street and has more recently formed part of the parking lot between the library and public washrooms.  The concept includes design elements that seek to create an appropriate transition from Officers’ Square to this urban space.  This includes intentional use of materials such as Cor-Ten steel and wood, complimentary integration of the Fredericton tartan into the play area surface, and a treed ‘front porch’.   


Stakeholder engagement on the design was held with the City’s Social Inclusion Committee, Age Friendly Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, and with Ability NB and the design was presented to City Council’s Livable Community Committee on February 6, 2025.   

Check out the conceptual design on Engage Fredericton or come learn more about it during the following public engagement sessions: 

  • February 9th from 1pm – 3pm at Officer’s Square during the FROSTival Family Skate;  
  • February 13th from 5:30-7:30pm Open House at the Fredericton Public Library (Chickadee Room). 


 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

We’d love your feedback! Let us know what you think about this design—what works, what could be better, or any ideas you have.

  • Share Beautiful layout. Is this project consistent with the city's climate adaptation approach? Being a new development situated in close proximity to the river, will this be constructed to likely survive a severe flooding event? Again, through an adaptation lens, is it possible to include a small splash park for extreme heat events? Wilmot's splash park is close by, however, planning for anticipated population growth and density intensification as forecasted and planned for by the city, can only benefit residents. Should the city's population reach forecasted numbers, this would not be redundant as adequate services will be required- especially when considering the challenges residents, notably priority populations, may face managing adaptation hazards like prolonged extreme heat events. Thanks! on Facebook Share Beautiful layout. Is this project consistent with the city's climate adaptation approach? Being a new development situated in close proximity to the river, will this be constructed to likely survive a severe flooding event? Again, through an adaptation lens, is it possible to include a small splash park for extreme heat events? Wilmot's splash park is close by, however, planning for anticipated population growth and density intensification as forecasted and planned for by the city, can only benefit residents. Should the city's population reach forecasted numbers, this would not be redundant as adequate services will be required- especially when considering the challenges residents, notably priority populations, may face managing adaptation hazards like prolonged extreme heat events. Thanks! on Twitter Share Beautiful layout. Is this project consistent with the city's climate adaptation approach? Being a new development situated in close proximity to the river, will this be constructed to likely survive a severe flooding event? Again, through an adaptation lens, is it possible to include a small splash park for extreme heat events? Wilmot's splash park is close by, however, planning for anticipated population growth and density intensification as forecasted and planned for by the city, can only benefit residents. Should the city's population reach forecasted numbers, this would not be redundant as adequate services will be required- especially when considering the challenges residents, notably priority populations, may face managing adaptation hazards like prolonged extreme heat events. Thanks! on Linkedin Email Beautiful layout. Is this project consistent with the city's climate adaptation approach? Being a new development situated in close proximity to the river, will this be constructed to likely survive a severe flooding event? Again, through an adaptation lens, is it possible to include a small splash park for extreme heat events? Wilmot's splash park is close by, however, planning for anticipated population growth and density intensification as forecasted and planned for by the city, can only benefit residents. Should the city's population reach forecasted numbers, this would not be redundant as adequate services will be required- especially when considering the challenges residents, notably priority populations, may face managing adaptation hazards like prolonged extreme heat events. Thanks! link

    Beautiful layout. Is this project consistent with the city's climate adaptation approach? Being a new development situated in close proximity to the river, will this be constructed to likely survive a severe flooding event? Again, through an adaptation lens, is it possible to include a small splash park for extreme heat events? Wilmot's splash park is close by, however, planning for anticipated population growth and density intensification as forecasted and planned for by the city, can only benefit residents. Should the city's population reach forecasted numbers, this would not be redundant as adequate services will be required- especially when considering the challenges residents, notably priority populations, may face managing adaptation hazards like prolonged extreme heat events. Thanks!

    AC Lewis asked about 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question! When developing this space we did put an adaptation lens on how we were developing this amenity in the heart of Fredericton’s downtown. The primary risks we looked at were; future impacts of extended periods of heat and impacts from flooding, both river flooding and high intensity rainfall events

    To improve Fredericton’s localized resilience with this project, we will be raising the plaza area to make it less susceptible to flooding in the future, we will adding addition storm sewer drains and piping to capture and control flows, we will be adding trees into this area to provide shade, and we will be adding a water feature/splash area to facilitate cooling during the summer months and heat events.

    Thanks so much for your feedback, we have passed it on to the team! 


  • Share Love the concept. A little institutional looking with the color. Perhaps brick colored pavers could be worked in to give it a warmer feel. on Facebook Share Love the concept. A little institutional looking with the color. Perhaps brick colored pavers could be worked in to give it a warmer feel. on Twitter Share Love the concept. A little institutional looking with the color. Perhaps brick colored pavers could be worked in to give it a warmer feel. on Linkedin Email Love the concept. A little institutional looking with the color. Perhaps brick colored pavers could be worked in to give it a warmer feel. link

    Love the concept. A little institutional looking with the color. Perhaps brick colored pavers could be worked in to give it a warmer feel.

    Dana Gregg asked 2 months ago

    Thanks so much for the feedback Dana! 

  • Share Looks like a fun space! Personally I would love to see the space include more native plants, and less pavement! on Facebook Share Looks like a fun space! Personally I would love to see the space include more native plants, and less pavement! on Twitter Share Looks like a fun space! Personally I would love to see the space include more native plants, and less pavement! on Linkedin Email Looks like a fun space! Personally I would love to see the space include more native plants, and less pavement! link

    Looks like a fun space! Personally I would love to see the space include more native plants, and less pavement!

    Marjorie LaFrance asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for this feedback Marjorie! We have passed it on to the team. 

  • Share I love this! Is there a possibility to move the playground area closer to the rink? This way it’s further from the road and parking lot? This is such a great idea. It would get so much use! on Facebook Share I love this! Is there a possibility to move the playground area closer to the rink? This way it’s further from the road and parking lot? This is such a great idea. It would get so much use! on Twitter Share I love this! Is there a possibility to move the playground area closer to the rink? This way it’s further from the road and parking lot? This is such a great idea. It would get so much use! on Linkedin Email I love this! Is there a possibility to move the playground area closer to the rink? This way it’s further from the road and parking lot? This is such a great idea. It would get so much use! link

    I love this! Is there a possibility to move the playground area closer to the rink? This way it’s further from the road and parking lot? This is such a great idea. It would get so much use!

    Madelyn asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your feedback Madelyn! We’re interpreting your question to be safety-related given the proximity of the play area to the road and parking lot. While we don’t anticipate shifting the play area closer to the rink, we do plan to add fencing, similar to what was built at the Garrison Skate Park, along the edge of the parking lot from the cross-walk over to St Anne Point Drive and along it, paralleling it continuously until it meets the Officers' Square stone wall.  This will be done to ensure that the play area has no direct connectivity out onto St Anne Point Drive while creating a pedestrian space and limiting access to the plaza to the Officers' Square side of the site.  

  • Share Why are you suggesting a kids park beside a busy street with a blind turn? Seriously, does anyone on the team have a 2-5 year old child who unknowingly runs wild? Yes, of course an adult will be supervising at all times, until they look down at their phone, say hi to a friend, or are asked a question from another parent. Please, please go to a park in the summer, watch parents, watch kids, please see how easy it is for a child to run 10 feet away from the play structure or parent. Perhaps this is a comment from a ‘helicopter parent’ who absolutely used a leashed bookback when my child was a toddler as they were a ‘runner’. Not all parents agree and not all parents watch their kids closely. Please reconsider this location. I would love to see another play structure downtown, but can you find a location not right beside a busy street?? on Facebook Share Why are you suggesting a kids park beside a busy street with a blind turn? Seriously, does anyone on the team have a 2-5 year old child who unknowingly runs wild? Yes, of course an adult will be supervising at all times, until they look down at their phone, say hi to a friend, or are asked a question from another parent. Please, please go to a park in the summer, watch parents, watch kids, please see how easy it is for a child to run 10 feet away from the play structure or parent. Perhaps this is a comment from a ‘helicopter parent’ who absolutely used a leashed bookback when my child was a toddler as they were a ‘runner’. Not all parents agree and not all parents watch their kids closely. Please reconsider this location. I would love to see another play structure downtown, but can you find a location not right beside a busy street?? on Twitter Share Why are you suggesting a kids park beside a busy street with a blind turn? Seriously, does anyone on the team have a 2-5 year old child who unknowingly runs wild? Yes, of course an adult will be supervising at all times, until they look down at their phone, say hi to a friend, or are asked a question from another parent. Please, please go to a park in the summer, watch parents, watch kids, please see how easy it is for a child to run 10 feet away from the play structure or parent. Perhaps this is a comment from a ‘helicopter parent’ who absolutely used a leashed bookback when my child was a toddler as they were a ‘runner’. Not all parents agree and not all parents watch their kids closely. Please reconsider this location. I would love to see another play structure downtown, but can you find a location not right beside a busy street?? on Linkedin Email Why are you suggesting a kids park beside a busy street with a blind turn? Seriously, does anyone on the team have a 2-5 year old child who unknowingly runs wild? Yes, of course an adult will be supervising at all times, until they look down at their phone, say hi to a friend, or are asked a question from another parent. Please, please go to a park in the summer, watch parents, watch kids, please see how easy it is for a child to run 10 feet away from the play structure or parent. Perhaps this is a comment from a ‘helicopter parent’ who absolutely used a leashed bookback when my child was a toddler as they were a ‘runner’. Not all parents agree and not all parents watch their kids closely. Please reconsider this location. I would love to see another play structure downtown, but can you find a location not right beside a busy street?? link

    Why are you suggesting a kids park beside a busy street with a blind turn? Seriously, does anyone on the team have a 2-5 year old child who unknowingly runs wild? Yes, of course an adult will be supervising at all times, until they look down at their phone, say hi to a friend, or are asked a question from another parent. Please, please go to a park in the summer, watch parents, watch kids, please see how easy it is for a child to run 10 feet away from the play structure or parent. Perhaps this is a comment from a ‘helicopter parent’ who absolutely used a leashed bookback when my child was a toddler as they were a ‘runner’. Not all parents agree and not all parents watch their kids closely. Please reconsider this location. I would love to see another play structure downtown, but can you find a location not right beside a busy street??

    Cara asked 2 months ago

    Hi Cara! Thank you for your question. Fencing, similar to what was built at the Garrison Skate Park, will be installed along the edge of the parking lot from the cross-walk over to St Anne's Point Drive and along it, parallelling it continuously until it meets the Officers' Square stone wall. This will be done to ensure that the play area has no direct connectivity out onto St Anne's Point Drive while creating a pedestrian space and limiting access to the plaza to the Officers'Square side of the site.  

  • Share Not a question but an observation..Think that this build should be de eloped on the Northside. South ha a water park and several activity spaces already developed ie Wilmot park and surrounding area.the lack of accessible parking near the proposed development creates frustration for those with small children and elderly. on Facebook Share Not a question but an observation..Think that this build should be de eloped on the Northside. South ha a water park and several activity spaces already developed ie Wilmot park and surrounding area.the lack of accessible parking near the proposed development creates frustration for those with small children and elderly. on Twitter Share Not a question but an observation..Think that this build should be de eloped on the Northside. South ha a water park and several activity spaces already developed ie Wilmot park and surrounding area.the lack of accessible parking near the proposed development creates frustration for those with small children and elderly. on Linkedin Email Not a question but an observation..Think that this build should be de eloped on the Northside. South ha a water park and several activity spaces already developed ie Wilmot park and surrounding area.the lack of accessible parking near the proposed development creates frustration for those with small children and elderly. link

    Not a question but an observation..Think that this build should be de eloped on the Northside. South ha a water park and several activity spaces already developed ie Wilmot park and surrounding area.the lack of accessible parking near the proposed development creates frustration for those with small children and elderly.

    Judith.somerville asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question. In addition to developing the Garrison Plaza, the City is continuing to implement the Killarney Lake Management Plan and Carleton Park Master Plan.  For 2025 this includes construction of a natural playground at Killarney Lake Park. Stay tuned! 


  • Share I love all the seating areas, the kids playground and the shade! As a parent I'd want it really well fenced from the road behind and the parking lot to the side -- kids are FAST. on Facebook Share I love all the seating areas, the kids playground and the shade! As a parent I'd want it really well fenced from the road behind and the parking lot to the side -- kids are FAST. on Twitter Share I love all the seating areas, the kids playground and the shade! As a parent I'd want it really well fenced from the road behind and the parking lot to the side -- kids are FAST. on Linkedin Email I love all the seating areas, the kids playground and the shade! As a parent I'd want it really well fenced from the road behind and the parking lot to the side -- kids are FAST. link

    I love all the seating areas, the kids playground and the shade! As a parent I'd want it really well fenced from the road behind and the parking lot to the side -- kids are FAST.

    Jackie Johnstone asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question Jackie! Fencing, similar to what was built at the Garrison Skate Park, will be installed along the edge of the parking lot from the cross-walk over to St Anne's Point Drive and along it, paralleling it continuously until it meets the Officers' Square stone wall.  This will be done to ensure that the play area has no direct connectivity out onto St Anne's Point Drive while creating a pedestrian space and limiting access to the plaza to the Officers Square side of the site.  

  • Share Love it! Looks like a kids playground next to a busy road that is only partially fenced - any chance of fulling fencing it in for safety? on Facebook Share Love it! Looks like a kids playground next to a busy road that is only partially fenced - any chance of fulling fencing it in for safety? on Twitter Share Love it! Looks like a kids playground next to a busy road that is only partially fenced - any chance of fulling fencing it in for safety? on Linkedin Email Love it! Looks like a kids playground next to a busy road that is only partially fenced - any chance of fulling fencing it in for safety? link

    Love it! Looks like a kids playground next to a busy road that is only partially fenced - any chance of fulling fencing it in for safety?

    Maddie West asked 3 months ago

    Hi Maddie! We're glad you love it, and thank you for your question! Fencing, similar to what was built at the Garrison Skate Park, will be installed along the edge of the parking lot from the cross-walk over to St Anne's Point Drive and along it, parallelling it continuously until it meets the Officers Square stone wall. This will be done to ensure that the play area has no direct connectivity out onto St Anne's Point Drive while creating a pedestrian space and limiting access to the plaza to the Officers Square side of the site.  

  • Share This needs to be fenced in 10000% During the night market it gets extreamly busy in the parking area full of food trucks. A small child could easily walk towards to road with it being so close. on Facebook Share This needs to be fenced in 10000% During the night market it gets extreamly busy in the parking area full of food trucks. A small child could easily walk towards to road with it being so close. on Twitter Share This needs to be fenced in 10000% During the night market it gets extreamly busy in the parking area full of food trucks. A small child could easily walk towards to road with it being so close. on Linkedin Email This needs to be fenced in 10000% During the night market it gets extreamly busy in the parking area full of food trucks. A small child could easily walk towards to road with it being so close. link

    This needs to be fenced in 10000% During the night market it gets extreamly busy in the parking area full of food trucks. A small child could easily walk towards to road with it being so close.

    Coral asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question Coral. Fencing, similar to what was built at the Garrison Skate Park, will be installed along the edge of the parking lot from the cross-walk over to St Anne's Point Drive and along it, parallelling it continuously until it meets the Officers Square stone wall. This will be done to ensure that the play area has no direct connectivity out onto St Anne's Point Drive while creating a pedestrian space and limiting access to the plaza to the Officers Square side of the site.  

  • Share Wondering what the impact of this design will have on the Harvest Music Festival plans to use Officers Square? It’s such a great event for our community, i just hope that the venue can be successful while maintaining the beauty of the space. on Facebook Share Wondering what the impact of this design will have on the Harvest Music Festival plans to use Officers Square? It’s such a great event for our community, i just hope that the venue can be successful while maintaining the beauty of the space. on Twitter Share Wondering what the impact of this design will have on the Harvest Music Festival plans to use Officers Square? It’s such a great event for our community, i just hope that the venue can be successful while maintaining the beauty of the space. on Linkedin Email Wondering what the impact of this design will have on the Harvest Music Festival plans to use Officers Square? It’s such a great event for our community, i just hope that the venue can be successful while maintaining the beauty of the space. link

    Wondering what the impact of this design will have on the Harvest Music Festival plans to use Officers Square? It’s such a great event for our community, i just hope that the venue can be successful while maintaining the beauty of the space.

    FreddyCa asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question! Construction of Garrison Plaza is anticipated to occur after Harvest Music Festival and plans for revitalizing this portion of the site will not impact the continuation of Harvest Music Festival. 

Page last updated: 04 Mar 2025, 12:34 PM