Tecumseh Park Master Plan

Tecumseh ParkMaster Plan

for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Brown + Storey ArchitectsScott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc.Storey Samways Planning Ltd.

Final ReportDecember 2006

2

1

Project Team Members:

Brown and Storey Architects: James Brown, Kim Storey, Stephen King, Brian Laye

Scott Torrance Landscape Architects Inc.: Scott Torrance

Storey Samways Planning Limited: Tom Storey

Municipality of Chatham-Kent project manager:

Tom Beaton, D.H.T., CMMIManager, Parks, Cemeteries & Horticulture

Steering / Stakeholder Committee Members:

Calvin Antaya - (Tecumseh Park Neighbourhood Association),Frances Crummer, Bob Fox (Downtown Chatham BIA),Ken McIntyre (Chatham Lawn Bowling Club), Bill Patterson(Chatham Concert Band), George Sims, Linda Treacy(Downtown Chatham BIA),Hans Van Der Doe (Chatham-KentHeritage Committee), Janice Wieringa (Downtown ChathamBIA),Marsha Coyne (C-K), Scott Lalonde (Chatham CulturalCentre), Jane McGee (C-K), Bill Pachkowski (C-K),Deborah Veccia (C-K), Darren Winger (Ministry of Culture)

Tecumseh ParkMaster Plan

for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

2

3

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary ....................................................... 7

2 Background ....................................................................... 12

3 Design Directions ............................................................. 15

.1 Heritage ................................................................. 16

.2 Education and Research ....................................... 16

.3 Natural Environment .............................................. 17

.4 Programming ........................................................ 17

.5 Vandalism and ‘Eyes on the Park’ ........................ 18

.6 The Broader Context ........................................... 18

.7 Regional Park and an Open Space Master Plan ... 19

.8 Immediate Context .............................................. 19

.9 Water’s Edge ...................................................... 20

.10 The Cultural Precinct .......................................... 20

.11 The Armoury ...................................................... 21

.12 Jaycee Gardens and the Tecumseh Common .. 21

.13 The Chatham Concert Bandshell ......................... 22

.14 Lawn Bowling Club .............................................. 22

.15 The Promontory .................................................... 23

.16 Expanding the Park Territory ............................... 23

4

4 Master Plan Design Concepts .......................................... 24

General Design Concepts ................................................ 25

.1 Context - Urban Connections ........................ 26

.2 Context - Park Network Connections ............ 28

.3 Landscape Regime.......................................... 30

.4 Programming ................................................... 33

.5 Parking ............................................................ 39

5 Armoury ........................................................... ................. 41

6 Separate Projects ............................................................ 53

.1 The Tecumseh Common ........................................ 54

.2 Shumard Oak Circle ............................................... 56

.3 William Street Gardens ........................................... 58

.4 Thames River Edge and Floodplain Gardens ........ 60

.5 Stanley Street Boat Docking ..................................... 62

.6 Heritage Terrace East / Armoury Plinth ................... 64

.7 Central Heritage Terrace ........................................... 66

.8 Heritage Terrace West and McGregor’s Garden ..... 68

.9 Cenotaph Square and Bridge ................................. 70

.10 McGregor’s Walk .................................................... 72

.11 New Pedestrian Bridge ........................................... 74

.12 Bandshell Improvements ........................................ 75

.13 Promontory and Pathway......................................... 76

Table of Contents

5

Appendices

Appendix A Part 1 - Analysis Report

Appendix B Arborist Report

Appendix C Presentations

Appendix D Steering / Stakeholders Meeting Minutes

Appendix E Public Meetings

Appendix F Lawn Bowling Club

7 Budgets .............................................................. 78

.1 - .13 Cost Estimates for Separate Projects . 79

8 Phasing Scenarios ................................................ 92

Phases 1 - 5 .......................................................... 93

Phasing Summary ............................................... 99

Phasing Matrix ...................................................... 100

Sources and Bibliography ............................................ 102

Table of Contents

6

Aerial view of Tecumseh Park

First Survey of Lots in ChathamThames River, King Street,and Tecumseh Park

7

Executive Summary 1

The Tecumseh Park Facility Master Plan has been prepared todevelop strategies and ideas for the revitalization of one ofChatham-Kent’s most significant public spaces. Although thedocumentation and analysis of Tecumseh Park has revealed theneed for many improvements, it remains the heart of Chatham byvirtue of its central physical position, its historical connection to thebirth of the municipality, and its cultural role through over twohundred years of civic life.

Tecumseh Park, together with the Thames River and King Street,forms a triad of founding landforms of Chatham, and the re-establishment and consolidation of recreation, civic events, andmain street activity has created a central thrust for the aims of theMaster Plan.

The first phase of the Master Plan produced a wealth ofinformation documented in the project team’s research andanalysis of archival and new mapping, archival photographs,precedent illustrations, and an ongoing community consultationprocess. This initial work can be referrred to in the Appendices.The analysis has pointed to a lack of connection of the park to itssurrounding context of streets, neighbourhoods and its water’sedges, and an overall decline in the physical health of thelandscape. The second and third phases of design and refinementof the Master Plan, based upon the design directions andstrategies derived from the first phase research, form the mainbody of the Final Report.

8

Master Plan, Tecumseh Park

View of Tecumseh Common

9

The Master Plan Concept that is explored in this report seeks to re-establish Tecumseh Park’s prominence in Chatham-Kent bylooking at issues of interconnectivity with its immediate andbroader context, exploring ways of more effectively illustrating itsconsiderable heritage, and to restore its physical health through anumber of landscape design strategies. The overall Master PlanConcept responds to issues of urban connections to the ThamesRiver and McGregor’s Creek, the immediate neighbourhood, KingStreet, and to a larger network of open spaces making up what isreferred to as a Thames River Precinct.

Programming has also been a major focus of the Tecumseh Parkreport, to find a balance of uses and to recommend a ‘mediumintensity’ that attracts a constant and steady enjoyment, rather thanover-populated events that could potentially take place at largervenues. The attention to programming is directly related to thephysical health of the park which has suffered from the over-compaction of the soil due to over-use and vehicular traffic whichis referred to in the Arborists’ report. The health of the trees rangesfrom poor (13 trees are indicated to be removed immediatelybecause of safety concerns) to fair to average. To restore thetrees’ health where possible is an important task of this report, andto re-forest the park with new indigenous species that explore thenatural heritage of Chatham-Kent and its native SouthernCarolinian landscape.

Within the Park, the Master Plan Concept has been divided intogroups of smaller projects that respond to both the edges andentrances into Tecumseh Park - William Street, Stanley Street,Thames River, McGregor’s Creek, Sixth Street pedestrian bridge -and its internal elements like the Tecumseh Common, thePromontory, the replacement of Jaycee Gardens with new loopingsystems of pathways and gardens, improvements to theBandshell, and a new Heritage Terrace with water features and anew ice rink.

Executive Summary 1

10

The Armoury is specifically addressed in this report with a strongrecommendation that it be retained in public hands following itssale by the Department of National Defence / the Canada LandsCompany. A number of potential uses has been described thatcould more strongly relate its grand interior spaces with its formalrole within the Park. In particular, the Armoury building’s immediatephysical surroundings have been re-designed to directly work withthe new Master Plan concepts and to provide an important supportboth programmatically and physically to the revitalized park.

One important part of this work is its crucial link to the issue ofHeritage Designation, for both the Armoury structure, and for thespace of the Park itself as it gradually is improved through aphasing process. Both aspects are inextricably connected to theheritage of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and need to beprotected in the most effective means available to the community.

Some of the more controversial aspects of the Master Plan refer tothe Lawn Bowling Club and a new Pedestrian Bridge. Through themapping analysis of the first phase, the Lawn Bowling Club wasseen as a visual and physical block to arguably the most importantphysical aspect of Tecumseh Park – its promontory looking westover the forks of the Thames River and McGregor’s Creek. Thisarea is distinctly disconnected from the main body of the park, andit is recommended that a long range strategy for the relocation ofthe Lawn Bowling Club to another city site be undertaken. This hasof course met with considerable concern on the part of the LawnBowling Club members who are in the process of expanding theircourts and installing new lights. The relocation of the Lawn BowlingClub in that context has been shown in the last phase of thephasing scenario, and the Master Plan concept shows the LawnBowling Club in its present position up until Phase 4. The finaldisposition of the Club needs to be further discussed and exploredwithin the community and with Council.

Executive Summary 1

View of Promontory

View of William Street

11

A somewhat radical notion of building a new pedestrian bridge isproposed that would connect the Stanley Street right of way withthe north side of Tecumseh Park. This idea arose from thepotential to connect the Park with the north neighbourhoodscentred on Victoria Avenue, and would also provide an excellentlooping connection among both the smaller and larger parks alongthe Thames River. The new pedestrian bridge is a considerableinvestment but the project team has included it in this reportbecause of its tremendous potential of bringing new communitiesin closer proximity to the Park, and to establish a cohesive networkof open spaces centering on the Thames River.

The revitalization of Tecumseh Park will have positiverepercussions to the surrounding business community, culturalinstitutions and neighbourhoods. The recommendations containedin this report, shown through the design directions, the ConceptPlan and separate projects in their budgets and phasing scenarioshave been organized through the general categories of InternalSpatial Organization, Historical Connections and Identities, Edgesand Expanded Boundaries, and Program and Site Repertoires.

Finally, a common enthusiasm and abiding affection for TecumsehPark was a constant factor is all of the Steering Group /Stakeholders’ meetings, the walking tours and public meetings thathave been held over the course of this Facility Master Planpreparation. We would like to express our deep gratitude to theSteering and Stakeholder Group members, and all the residentsand Chatham-Kent municipal staff who dedicated their time to thisprocess. For the next steps of Tecumseh Park’s revitalization, thecontinued involvement of the community in the detailed design ofall improvements is both recommended and required.

Executive Summary 1

View of Heritage Terrace

New Tree Canopy Plan

12

Background 2

2 Background

The workplan for the Tecumseh Park Facilities Master Planconsisted of three phases:

Phase 1 - Site Information Collection, Analysis andDocumentation

Phase 2 - Conceptual Alternatives for the Master PlanPhase 3 - Refinement of Master Plan Concepts and Final

Report

In order to cover the work produced by the project team working incoordination with the Project Manager and Steering / StakeholderCommittee, this report has been divided into two parts. The firstpart has been adapted from the Work in Progress reportthat was submitted at the conclusion of the first phase of work anddocuments the background discussions, mapping and analysisthat was produced. This material has been included as Appendix Ain this Final Report.

The Final Report, included herein, builds upon the analysis of Part1, elaborating the Design Directions into a comprehensive MasterPlan, showing individual project scenarios, costing, and phasingstrategies.

Accumulated Historical Layers

Tree Condition Inventory

13

2.a Analysis and Documentation Summary

The first phase of work which is fully documented in Part 1 of theFinal Report consisted of the final research tasks:

• Photographic documentation of Tecumseh Park;• Archival Research in photographic collections, maps and

texts;• Documentation of Tecumseh Park plan and specific detail

areas like the Armoury Building, and the Bandshell;• Contextual mapping illustrating Tecumseh Park’s

relationship to larger open space networks;• Public consultation through an initial walk-about with

stakeholders and Municipality staff to identify areas ofconcern;

• Ongoing Steering / Stakeholder meetings to show work inprogress;

• Arborist’s report to determine the health of the existing treepopulation;

• 3-D computer model of Park for future illustration of designconcepts;

• Landscape architect’s survey of planting materials;• Urban design analysis of immediate context of Park;• Mapping analysis of internal relationships with the Park

boundaries;• Collection of relevant precedent images.

Background 2

Computer model of existing park

Archival photographTecumseh Common

Map of Thames River park network

14

2.b Community Consultation

In the beginning weeks of the Tecumseh Park Facilities MasterPlan project, the Steering Committee was expanded to become ajoint Stakeholders Group. This combined committee includedinterested citizens, a member of the Tecumseh ParkNeighbourhood Association, the Downtown Chatham BIA, theChatham Concert Band Chatham-Kent Heritage Committee, theChatham Lawn Bowling Club, the Chatham Cultural Centre,Ontario Ministry of Culture, and staff members of the Municipalityof Chatham-Kent - Parks, Cemeteries and Horticulture andCommunity Services Department, and the Planning Department.This broad community of interests met during all phases of theproject, beginning with the initial ‘walking tour’ on a cold Saturdaymorning in January 2006, followed by six Steering / StakeholderMeetings and two public meetings to monitor and advise on thecontent of the work.

The work of this final report tries to reflect the good advice,suggestions and general enthusiasm and deep affection that isheld for Tecumseh Park. For each of the accumulative projectsrecommended for Tecumseh Park, it is important that an ongoingcommunity involvement be a critical part of the next stages ofdetailed design. In addition to the associations and institutionsrepresented in the Steering / Stakeholders Group, there were alsoseveral expressions of interest that came from the primary andsecondary schools to be involved in the ongoing design andmaintenance of the park. A high degree of public ‘ownership’, thatcomes with both proximity to the park and investments in terms oftime and energy, are critical components of the overall operation ofpublic space, providing ‘eyes on the park’ and a high level ofgeneral care.

‘Communities in Bloom’Walking Tour

Public Meeting: June 26, 2006

Background 2

15

The design directions were formulated from the Phase Oneresearch and forms the basis for the development of the MasterPlan design proposals. These design directions can be broadlygrouped into three classifications - Physical Context, Heritage, andEnvironmental Health. These categories indicate that the masterplan for Tecumseh Park needs to respond to a convergence ofdifferent critera - of how it connects elements within the park, itsedges and to a broader context, how it refers to its heritage of thepast history of Chatham-Kent and how this can steer a futurecourse, and how the actual physical health of the park needs to beaddressed. The following design directions have been developedas catalytic agents to focus the three broad areas of concern -Physical Context, Heritage, and Environmental Health - into acomprehensive view of each aspect of Tecumseh Park and its roleas a valuable regional asset in Chatham-Kent.

The following Design Directions are outlined and illustrated in theproceeding pages:

.1 Heritage

.2 Education and Research

.3 Natural Environment

.4 Programming

.5 Vandalism and ‘Eyes on th Park’

.6 The Broader Context

.7 Regional Park and a Park / Open Space Master Plan

.8 Immediate Context

.9 Water’s Edge

.10 Cultural Precinct

.11 The Armoury

.12 Jaycee Gardens and the Tecumseh Common

.13 The Chatham Concert Bandshell

.14 Lawn Bowling Club

.15 Promontory

.16 Expanding the Park Territory

Design Directions 3

16

Design Directions 3

Tecumseh Park is a founding landform of Chatham-Kent. Thehistory of the Park not only encompasses key events in the War of1812 and its namesake, the great chief Tecumseh, but also hasplayed a central role in over two hundred years of community life.The new master plan should find better opportunities to illustratethis legacy.

.1 Heritage

Founding Landform andUrban Form

24th Batallion in Tecumseh Park

.2 Education and Research

Tecumseh Park can become an invaluable teaching tool to theeducational institutions in Chatham-Kent at every level. Thereinstatement of an indigenous arboretum of trees and plant lifecan illustrate much of our natural history. Tecumseh Park’sposition on the Thames River, designated to be of nationalimportance to our heritage, can play a key role in the illustration ofthe flood plain, and also it’s role in the War of 1812. The grounds ofTecumseh Park hold a wealth of information about the past; anongoing programme of archaeological research, carried on incollaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Culture and the ChathamCultural Centre, would be of great value at all levels - federal,provincial and municipal - and would also provide an interactivelaboratory for Chatham-Kent’s schools.

Model of Tecumseh Parkcirca 1830 - collection of theChatham-Kent Museum

17

Design Directions 3

.3 Natural Environment

.4 Programming

The health of the Park’s tree population is not good, due to theearlier practice of ‘topping’ and over compaction of the soil causedin part by intensive use and vehicles. The physical health of thePark needs immediate attention and all master plan strategiesshould include natural restoration and an innovative landscapedesign looking at indigenous species and physical variety.

Hazardous Trees

The over compaction of soil has had serious consequences to thehealth of the Park. Future programming should avoid high intensityevents that involve driving vehicles in the Park and concentrationsof people over the lawn areas. Programming should encourage asteady, medium intensity of use where there is more constant useof the park rather than isolated heavy-use events.Vehicles in the park

18

Areas of Low Visibility fromWilliam Street

Expanded Context of Tecumseh Park

Areas of Vandalism

Design Directions 3

The issue of programming is central to the issue of vandalism. Bymaking the park more attractive to everyday use, by using inter-connecting and looping walking paths, gardens, and well-travellededges, vandalism could be reduced by simply adding more ‘eyes’.With better lighting through the park, and bringing attention to areasthat are currently dark and hidden (behind the Bandshell, areasshielded by the Jaycee Gardens, etc.), the park becomes a morecomfortable place to spend time for those who want to enjoy thepark, and less comfortable for those who want to damage it.

.5 Vandalism and ‘Eyes on the Park’

.6 The Broader Context

Tecumseh Park should be thought of as part of a larger precinct ofdowntown waterfront park areas, where improvements to all areas- like Fred Collins Park, King Street, etc. - are consideredcomprehensively.

Fred Collins Park

19

Design Directions 3

.7 Regional Park and a Park / Open SpaceMaster Plan

.8 Immediate Context

Tecumseh Park should be considered as a regional park.Currently, there is not an open space classification system toestablish criteria for a Regional Park, but the project team believesthat characterstics such as physical form, natural andarchaeological heritage features, cultural and historical importancewould be obvious arguments for considering Tecumseh Park to beof regional importance.

Tecumseh Park’s unique position at the forks of the Thames Riverand McGregor’s Creek, and the winding of the river, means that thePark can be seen from at least ten streets in a shifting set of axialviews - from King Street, the Tecumseh Park neighbourhood, thebridges, and from the north side of river bank. The master planshould work to create strong connections to this context.

View of the Thames River

Thames River open spaces

Existing context

Axial street relationships

20

Dragon Boat Event

Small craft recreation

William Street

Capitol Theatre

Design Directions 3

Programming and physical design should work to restore a livelyuse of the Thames River through the development of facilities forsmall crafts, and the enrichment of the water’s edge through newpathways and gardens. Seasonal flooding should be taken intoaccount in the design of pathways and gardens.

.9 Water’s Edge

.10 Cultural Precinct

Tecumseh Park can play a central role in the cultural precinct ofChatham defined by the Chatham-Kent Cultural Centre, theMuseum, King Street, and the Capitol Theatre. This can bereflected in relationships developed between the Cultural Centreand the Park, the Bandshell and new performance opportunitieswithin the Park.

21

Design Directions 3

.11 The Armoury

.12 Jaycee Gardens and the Tecumseh Common

The position of the Armoury within Tecumseh Park is integral to itshistory and physical appearance. The Armoury should bedesignated as a significant heritage structure and remain part ofthe Park, in public hands or as part of a public/private partnership,and the master plan should identify ways to better integrate thebuilding and potential future programming into the larger design ofthe Park.

The location of the Jaycee Gardens blocks many important viewsacross the Park, creates ‘blind-spots’ that contribute to vandalism,and takes up an area that was once the central open space of thePark. By shifting the garden to the perimeter of the Park, alongWilliam Street, along the water’s edge, and along the centralpathway, a new central ‘Tecumseh Common’ can be recreated,while the gardens become part of a looping system of paths thatenhance and focus views. The ‘Common’ also restores a strongaxial relationship between the Bandshell, the Armoury and the SixthStreet pedestrian entrance.

Armoury and formerparade ground

Internal relationship of Armoury,Bandshell and Cenotaph

Bandshell view blocked by Jaycee Gardens

22

Rear of Bandshell

Aerial View of Lawn Bowling Club

Design Directions 3

The Bandshell is also a significant heritage structure in the Park,having been designed by J. W. Storey, whose mid-20th centurywork has been recognized by both the heritage community inChatham-Kent and a larger audience. An addition to the Bandshellis needed to satisfy ambitious and important programmingrequirements of the Chatham Concert Band. Bringing moretransparency to the Bandshell could help deter vandalism in thearea behind the current building.

.13 The Chatham Concert Bandshell

.14 Lawn Bowling Club

The Chatham Lawn Bowling Club has existed in TecumsehPark for over a century. In order to accommodate its increaseddemands for parking, vehicular access, and larger greens, theproject team recommends that the Lawn Bowling Club berelocated to a larger site. In its present location, access to thePromontory, arguably the most important point in the Park, isnarrow and restrictive. The phasing strategy of the Park shouldallow for the Lawn Bowling club to remain in the Park until fundingand a suitable new site can be obtained.

Bandshell

23

Design Directions 3

.15 The Promontory

.16 Expanding the Park Territory

The most visible part of the Park from the bridges and the river,and its most prominent point, is essentially invisible from theinterior of the park and its circulation. The importance of thePromontory should be elaborated in the Master Plan. The presentelevation of the water’s edge walk is regularly overcome byseasonal flooding and requires extensive maintenance as a result.New pathways, particularly in this area, should accommodate theseasonal flooding that occurs by being raised to a new elevation.

30% of the Tecumseh Park is not usable, due to edges andboundaries that create ‘dead zones’ between current uses. TheMaster Plan should work towards a design where all areas of thePark can be enjoyed.

View of Promontory

Accumulation of Under-used Areas

Computer view of existingpromontory

24

Master Plan Design Concept

1 Tecumseh Common2 Shumard Oak Circle3 William Street Gardens4 Thames River Edge and

Floodplain Gardens5 Stanley Street Boat Docking6 Heritage Terrace East

Armoury Plinth7 Central Heritage Terrace

8 Heritage Terrace Westand McGregor’s Garden

9 Cenotaph Square and Bridge10 McGregor’s Walk11 New Pedestrian Bridge12 Bandshell Improvements13 Promontory and Pathways

1

2

1211

10

9

8 7 6

5

4 3

2

12

StanleyStreet

MurrayStreet

ColborneStreet

KingStreet

ThamesStreet

ThamesRiver

/WilliamStreet

Zonta Park

McGregor’sCreek

5th StreetBridge

FredCollinsPark

ChathamCulturalCentre

25

4 General Design Concepts

The design directions have been developed into a Master Plandesign concept that creates a number of discreet projects thatwork towards a larger vision of Tecumseh Park and its role in thecity and along the Thames River. The full master plan conceptaddresses the issues raised in the design directions of respondingto the larger context of the region – its urban and naturallandscapes – and creating a network of finer grain responses tothe immediate neighbourhood and main street precincts. Theoverall environmental health of the park is also directly respondedto by a new landscape regime and measures to restore damagedconditions, and by subsequent discussions of programming andparking that will complement, and not run counter to, the specialneed for bringing the natural health of the park up to an acceptableand sustainable level.

Each of the separate projects that make up a comprehensivestrategy for phasing over time have been derived from the overallmaster plan, so that each adds up accretively to create the largeroverall vision for Tecumseh Park. The following points describeoverall design strategies for the Park and are followed by specificproject sheets, budgets and phasing scenarios.

26

Master Plan Design Concepts 4

.1 Context - Urban Connections

The plan for Tecumseh Park suggests new entrance points andedge conditions that provide a consolidated set of connections andlinkages to the Thames River, the neighbourhood, and the centralcore / main street of Chatham. These measures include:

• Creating new entrance points to make a strongrelationship with the Chatham Cultural Centre, and theArmoury Building: Bringing the important culturalinstitution of the art gallery, studios and performancespaces into the milieu of the Park is a critical element ofestablishing a broader cultural precinct. The Armoury isalso recommended for re-use (either in public hands or asa public/private partnership) and its immediate groundsstrongly related to the overall common ground of the Park.

• Creating new entrance points marked by speciallandscaped places along a regenerated William Streetedge at significant axial relationships - at the StanleyStreet right-of-way, Murray Street and Colborne Street.Suggestions for extending special planting and verges intothe neighbourhood along Stanley Street and Murray Streetare also indicated in the master plan.

• Regenerating the William Street edge: By re-creating agenerous landscaped walk (recalling the ‘Lovers Walk’)along the William Street edge, the uses of the park arebrought to its very edges, instead of shrinking away fromthe street. The relocation / shifting of the Jaycee Gardencircle to a linear park that becomes part of the landscape ofthe city along William Street will bring it greater visibility.Extending the verge / planting of William Street in each

direction – to the Thames River system of parks to theWilliam Street edge with newentrance points

27

north, and to the downtown / William Street bridge to thesouth – will establish strong linkages from the park toits immediate context. Also, by extending thelandscaping to the other side of William Street, theCultural Centre will be better connected to the park, andthe park’s ‘perceptual’ boundaries will extend to thewhole William Street right-of-way, so that whensomeone is walking on William Street (either side), theyare also walking ‘in the park’.

• Regenerating the Thames River edge: Permanentdocking, easily accessible and well lit, is recommendedto begin restoration of the activities and popularity of thewater’s edge. The Stanley Street right-of-way isdeveloped as a new boardwalk connecting WilliamStreet directly to the water with a modest facility forsmall craft launching (no vehicle access). Sets offloodplain gardens with interweaving paths encouragegeneral everyday strolls through the lower plain of thePark and loop into the larger path network system. Newpermanent pathways should accommodate seasonalflooding of the Thames River.

• Improving the Sixth Street Connection to KingStreet: The Sixth Street Cenotaph square is improvedby bringing more of the Park into the King Streetprecinct. Increased landscaping, special pavement andframing elements leading to the pedestrian bridge arerecommended to more closely connect the activities of‘main street’ to the Park. The relationship of TecumsehPark to King Street and to the Thames River is afounding core of the city, and this linkage is a criticalcomponent of programming, of heritage and of physicalconnectivity.


View of William Street Gardens

Section through William Street

Stanley Street boardwalk and docking

Cenotaph Square

28

.2 Context - Park Network Connections

Tecumseh Park, although physically separate, nevertheless is partof an immediate network of parks along the Thames River andMcGregor’s Creek, including Fred Collins Park, Zonta Park at thecorner of William Street and King Street, the open spaces behindKing Street and on the opposite bank, the Chatham-Kent CivicCentre plaza, and the open spaces of the Chatham Health Networkinstitutions. It is recommended that this system of immediategreen spaces be considered as a integral precinct, and thatimprovements and regeneration to all these areas be coordinatedand interconnected. The Master Plan promotes thisrecommendation by:

• Creating a McGregor’s Creek walk with a correspondingpath / gardens shown on the ‘King Street side’.

• Developing a special heritage precinct incorporating theArmoury Buildings, the Registry Building, and the heritagestructures directly south to extend the area of the Park tothe McGregor’s Creek gardens.

• Extending the Tecumseh Park border to include Zonta Parkon King Street and William Street.

• To provide small craft launching points at McGregor’sCreek and at Tecumseh Park to promote more use of theThames River for affordable and sustainable recreationalong its length, and to bring a new level of connection forthe riverfront park system.


Promontory

McGregor’s Creek Walk

Zonta Park and South Precinct

29

Within the park, more paths that meander through gardens andborder activity areas like the children’s playground and thebandshell create a more cohesive inner network within the parkboundaries. These paths are shown as looping systems wheredifferent lengths of walks through the park are available to allusers. These pathways include:

• The William Street edge and gardens• The Floodplain Garden pathways• The Bandshell looping system connecting to the Stanley

Street boardwalk and to the Floodplain Garden• The new Heritage Terrace that connects the southern

precinct of the park from William Street to the Sixth Streetentrance to the Promontory.

• The McGregor’s Creek Garden and Path connecting thePromontory to the east areas of the park.

Master Plan Design Concepts 4a - Park Network Connections

McGregor’s Garden

View of Floodplain Gardens andCentral Pathway

Floodplain Garden

30

Master Plan Design Concepts 4a

.3 Landscape Regime

The natural landscape of Tecumseh Park, as noted in the Phase 1report (Appendix A), has been damaged through over-compactionof the soil, past maintenance practices (now discontinued), andlack of a directed plan for replanting. The present species in thepark (70% silver maple) does not represent the amazing array ofSouthern Carolinian species that are available and indigenous toTecumseh Park. The facing diagrams show the areas inTecumseh Park where existing trees should be removed for safetyreasons, and where new planting of indigenous species andunderstorey planting can occur. For the full Arborist’s report withcatalogue and mapping, please refer to Appendix B. The Part 1Analysis Report, which includes an elaborated landscapeobservations and strategies, can be found in Appendix A.TheMaster Plan recommendations address these conditions by:

• Immediate removal of trees designated ‘dangerous’ in thearborist’s report (Appendix B)

• Air-spading to aerate soil particularly around compactedroots at existing trees

• Develop planting strategies that reduce areas of requiredmaintenance

• Designating areas for high traffic turf design (i.e. close tothe bandshell)

• Dispersing the Jaycee Garden into a set of linear gardensthat create a special perimeter to the park that complementthe new path network

• Creating areas to explore special species available – theFloodplain Garden, understorey planting, wildflower andgrasses along McGregor’s Creek – to make a variety oftypes of landscapes and gardens part of the wholeexperience of Tecumseh Park.

• Planting a new generation of trees to represent the naturalindigenous heritage.

• Preventing cars from driving on green areas of the Park.

Low maintenance turf design

Winter colour

Understorey planting

31

Master Plan Design Concepts 4a

.3 Landscape Regime Tree Removal and Planting Strategy

32

.3 Landscape Regime New Tree Canopy Master Plan

33

To address the issue of vandalism, soil compaction, seasonal use,and more constant use, the Master Plan recommends severalstrategies for programming. Most importantly, the use of the Parkfor large events that attract thousands of people should be re-directed to larger parks in Chatham-Kent, like the Thames Grove.Large events attract not only large crowds on the damaged lawns,but also attract vehicles driving over the park to set up facilities etc.The use of Tecumseh Park should be limited to small and mediumsized events (maximum draw 3,500 people) that would not preventthe enjoyment of the popular Chatham Concert Band, but wouldencourage more constant use on an everyday basis. Thesemeasures are addressed by:

• Creating a terrace - a special hard surface area of thepark adjacent to the Armoury for medium size events thatwould permit crowds of people to use both supportinfrastructure in a renovated Armoury, new washrooms,and special attractions like an artificial skating rink,fountains, and heritage displays. The ‘Heritage Terrace’creates a direct and very public way from an entrance pointat William Street past the Armoury to the Promontory,creating a special route where heritage displays would bedeveloped. The Terrace could also run alongside aproposed archaeological dig that creates an ‘outdoormuseum’. By setting a side a special zone in the park forthose events that could best use hard surfaces (and theinterior of the Armoury), a new zone in the park can berestored – the Tecumseh ‘Common’.


.4 Programming

34

• Restoring the Tecumseh ‘Common’: The relocation ofthe Jaycee Gardens to a perimeter set of gardens, allowsthe restoration of the ‘Common’, a generous lawn centredbetween the Armoury and the Bandshell that was originallyused for picnics, ball-games, and general recreation. The‘Common’ reinstates the ‘space’ of Tecumseh Park andalso encourages a casual and spontaneous use of thespace by keeping it open and interpretable. It is notrecommended that a specific recreational use be given tothe Common, like a ball diamond, but that it be kept openfor public use and spontaneous kinds of recreation.

• Creating opportunities for all-season uses: TheHeritage Terrace program includes an artificial ice rinkwhich would bring intensity to the Park in the winterseason. A renovated Armoury could provide space forchanging skates and hot chocolate stands, accompaniedby a winter market.

• Bringing back the Thames River: By providing a smallcraft launching point – which does not include provisionsfor cars/trucks with trailers – at both the Stanley Street rightof way and McGregor’s Creek, a looping system of smallcraft use is encouraged. As noted above, the regenerationof water recreation will also encourage linkage of the parksalong the Thames River. Bringing new attention to thewater’s edge with the special Floodplain Garden and newpathways and docks, will also encourage a constant use ofpeople enjoying the scenery of the Thames River and thePark’s gardens.

Master Plan Design Concepts 4a - Programming

Plan of Tecumseh Common


Heritage Terrace - Ice Rink location

Thames River edge

35

• Making a continuous water’s edge path: The currentwater’s edge is inaccessible along McGregor’s Creek andparts of the Thames River. The Master Plan proposes acontinuous water’s edge promenade that will connect fromthe Stanley Street right of way along the Thames River, aroundthe Promontory, along McGregor’s Creek to William Street.Making the continuous promenade, along with the many newopportunities for shorter looping circuits, will bring a new levelof passive use to the Park.

• Seasonal Flooding: The Thames River is known for floodingits immediate banks on a fairly regular seasonal basis. Thismakes most of the current pathways inaccessible andrequires considerable clean-up. While it is unreasonable todesign all pathways and edges to avoid all flooding events, itwould be feasible to raise the elevation of important pathways,such as around the Promontory, so that the minor floodingevents are accommodated.

• Enhancing the Bandshell: The popularity of the ChathamConcert Bandshell is an enduring quality of Tecumseh Park.The summer concerts are well attended – it is recommendedthat the audience area of the bandshell be enhanced byimprovements to the immediate area in front of the stage bya new hard surface area, surrounded by a generous zone of‘high traffic engineered turf’, especially designed forconcentrated use. In addition, the Chatham Concert Bandcarries on an ambitious and popular teaching programmethroughout the year in its facilities, which, however, havebecome cramped and overcrowded for their uses. It is alsorecommended that the Bandshell be improved with an additionthat would provide practice / teaching rooms, more rehearsalspace, and a modest library and office area, situated anddesigned so that they provide an open and transparent faceto the Stanley Street boardwalk, bringing use and overlook toan area that is presently victimized by vandalism.


New forecourt at Bandshell

New walkway at Promontory

McGregor’s Garden

36

• Re-integrating the Armoury: The Armoury is now asurplus property of the Department of National Defense, asthey prepare to move into new facilities. It is recommendedthat the Armoury be purchased by the Municipality andretained in public use. There are many new uses that areexplored further in this report that could be supported by theArmoury. It is also important, that whatever the outcome ofongoing negotiations for its purchase and renovation, thatthe immediate grounds of the Armoury, some of which isretained by the future owner, be well integrated into the useof the whole Park. The Master Plan illustrates how theArmoury can be incorporated into the Heritage Plaza andTecumseh Common relationship, and how the Armoury canalso become part of the South Terrace linking it toMcGregor’s Creek.

• Working with the Chatham Cultural Centre to promoteheritage programming: Specific programs like anarchaeological dig on the site of the original garrison areproposed and budgeted in the Tecumseh Park scenariosfor phasing. As a collaboration with the Chatham CulturalCentre, this and other initiatives could both create a largerview of this historic area of the city as a special precinct,and promote the heritage of the Park. The Heritage Terraceis developed as a special site for a kind of ‘outdoormuseum’ where the unique history of Tecumseh Park canbe more elaborately illustrated. The Shumard Oak Circle issuggested as a modest first project where the landmarkoak is immediately protected from current over-compactionand becomes a central focus for heritage programming.


Plan at Armoury Plinth

Historical Lot Map, Showing Locationof Original Fort in Tecumseh Park

Tecumseh Park c.1872

37

• Relocating the Children’s Playground: The playgroundis an important part of the programming of Tecumseh Parkin that it promotes daily use. The Master Plan suggests itsrelocation as a more linear arrangement of play structuresand sand set along the major pathway through the Park,giving it a more connected relationship to the circulationand to the garden landscapes.

• Lawn Bowling Club: The Lawn Bowling Club has been apart of Tecumseh Park for generations. The Phase 1Report (Appendix A) recognized through its analysis andmapping that the Lawn Bowling Club blocks views andprevents a generous access to the Promontory, which isarguably the most prominent and significant part of thePark. Also, the use of the Lawn Bowling Club has includeddriving vehicles over many fragile areas of the park on aregular basis, which has damaged the landscape andcreates some safety issues within the park. It has beenrecommended as a long term strategy that the LawnBowling Club be relocated to another central part of thecity, where a proper parking area and vehicular accesscould be provided, with a better clubhouse and expandedand well-lit lawn bowling courts. This is a particularlysensitive moment in the Lawn Bowling Club’s history, inthat it has received funds and new lights to improve theircourts. Recognizing this, the Master Plan recommends inthe Phasing stragegy that the relocation of the LawnBowling Club be undertaken in the final phase and hasorganized the separate projects so that the retention of theClub does not interfere with ongoing improvements. InAppendix F, a brief study of alternate sites in the immediateneighbourhood is illustrated. It should be noted that theissue of the relocation of the Lawn Bowling Club is thesingle element of the Master Plan that has generated somecontroversy and should be carefully considered.


Playground at new Gardens

Lawn Bowling Club - Phase 4

38

.4 Programming - Diagram Series of Internal Elements

39

Presently, a limited amount of parking in the park is provided in theStanley Street right of way, in the municipal parking lot behind theArmoury (which is in fact part of the Colborne Street right of way)and in front of the Armoury facing onto the Park. In addition there ison street parking on King Street, with a generous amount ofparking close by behind the downtown mall, and two parking lotsassociated with the Chatham Culture Centre and Museum. Forthose events that attract thousands of people, parking obviouslybecomes a problem for the neighbourhood, but otherwise, theability to park somewhere close to the Park is not an issue. One ofthe recommendations of this report is that major events that arelikely to attract more than 3,500 people be relocated to larger openspaces, (i.e. Thames Grove) so that the parking demand and itseffect on the local neighbourhood will not be as great. The MasterPlan’s recommendations for parking generally include the removalof actual parking within the park’s boundaries:

• The removal of parking on the Stanley Street right ofway: This area of the Park is much better used as aboardwalk access to the Thames River edge for smallcraft launching and general enjoyment of the water’s edge.It has an important axial relationship with Stanley Street andthe adjacent community, and is extremely close to theexisting parking lot at the Chatham Cultural Centre onWilliam Street. The development of this area for moreactive uses and as part of a looping path network is animportant strategy for the general improvement ofTecumseh Park and for reducing vandalism which isparticularly noticeable in that area.

• Removal of parking and asphalt areas in front of theArmoury and facing onto the ‘Common’: This is animportant formal area of the Park which is far better usedfor programming than cars. The asphalt parking area tendsto separate the Armoury from the rest of the Park.


.5 Parking

Parking at Stanley Street ROW

Parking at Armoury Building

40

• Access for vehicles in the park: By placing a hardsurface terrace / square in front of the Armoury, it isintended that vehicles be allowed onto the surface forservicing only, to set up tents, etc., and that vehicles bestrictly prohibited from driving on any lawn surfacesanywhere in the park. The Lawn Bowling Club should makealternate arrangements for parking and driving in the areaadjacent to their courts.

• Sharing the parking lot at the Colborne MunicipalParking Lot: One of the later initiatives recommended bythe Master Plan report is that a “Armoury South Precinct”be developed that takes advantage of the heritagecharacter of the Armoury – its south side – along withexisting heritage structures along the Creek’s edge tomake a unique area. The existing parking lot would createthe centrally focused public space for the precinct, butcould still be used for parking during the week and clearedfor public use – like markets, performances, etc. forspecial events. The surface of the parking lot would be re-made to create a public square while still allowing theshared use for cars and people.

• Handicapped parking: At present, there are handicappedparking spaces available in the Chatham Cultural Centreclose to the facility entrance. The Master Plan reportrecommends that handicapped parking spaces be locatedalong the William Street edge and that a crosswalk beprovided connecting that zone directly to the park entrance.

• Special event parking: When large numbers of peoplearrive at the park, special arrangements need to be made.It is not feasible or recommended that new parking lots beprovided either within or at the edges of the park for thosefew days when additional parking is needed. Signageindicating parking areas available along King Street andWilliam Street should be provided.

Master Plan Design Concepts 4 - Parking

Heritage Terrace

William Street looking north toadditional parking areas

41

The Armoury 5

The Armoury has carried on a strong military tradition and heritagein Tecumseh Park since its construction in 1903 till the present.The Armoury is currently in the hands of the Department ofNational Defence, although their operations are being transferredto a new Armoury building that has been built in a new location.The Armoury has been offered for sale as a ‘routine disposal’ assurplus to the DND’s present requirements, and the Municipality ofChatham-Kent has indicated their interest in the property. Thenegotiations for the sale of the Armoury would be similar to theearlier purchase of the Tecumseh Park lands which werepreviously leased by the Municipality from the DND, and will likelybe time consuming and complex. The DND has estimated thatprocess of determining interest in the property would entailbetween six to eight months.

Nevertheless, the position of the project team is that the Armourybuilding plays an integral role with Tecumseh Park, and that itshould be maintained as part of the Park property. Its designationwithin the DND as a ‘recognized heritage property’ should bestrengthened through a further designation as a heritage propertywithin the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The Armoury with potentialpublic space additions

The Armoury with existing site

42

The grounds included in the Armoury property include the frontparking lot / parade area and rear parking / service area. Both ofthese areas have been actively considered as very importantareas of the larger Tecumseh Park Facility Master Plan. Thesegrounds can become important walkway accesses to theMcGregor’s Creek edge. Its front parade area, now essentiallyused for parking, add important areas to the open andprogrammable space of the Park. Continuing public use of thisbuilding is an essential amenity of Tecumseh Park, given itsmilitary foundations, the architectural value of the structure, andthe programming that would be possible. Public ownership orpublic / private partnerships should be explored. The followingpages briefly explore a wide range of uses that could beaccommodated within the walls of the Armoury Building - as acritical part of Chatham-Kent’s cultural, heritage and educationallandscapes.

5a Disposal as Surplus Property In the initial phase of the Tecumseh Park Facility Master Plan, theproject team undertook the following activities to review thepotential sale of the Armoury building:

• Discussion with Mr. Joe Pavelka, CAO, Municipality ofChatham-Kent

• Discussion with Mr. James Snyder, former SpecialProjects Manager, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

• Placed calls to Mr. Greg Borduas and Major Keith McNeill• Reviewed various Government of Canada web sites with

regard to government policies and procedures for thedisposal of surplus federal property.

• E-mail correspondence with Mr. Kavin Noble, RealProperty Officer ASU London

The Armoury 5

43

The following notes have been made: 1. Disposal of surplus property can follow one of 2 routes – routinedisposal or strategic disposal. The difference between the two isbased mainly on the potential for further development and thesensitivity of the land use as a continued public resource. Mr.Noble reported that this is considered a routine disposal. Also, thesurplus property has been made available simultaneously to otherfederal ministries, the Province and the municipality. The priority ofinterest in the property also follows that list. In other wordsChatham –Kent could only acquire the facility if neither the Federalor Provincial governments wanted it. At this time, the Municipality,having received correspondence from the Public Works andGovernment Services division of the federal government in earlyJuly 2006, has indicated their interest in the property. 2. When a building over 40 years old is involved, it is subject to aheritage assessment by Parks Canada. If it is determined to havevalue, it is designated as either a “classified heritage building”, thehighest designation, or as a “recognized heritage building”. TheArmoury is considered as a recognized heritage building. Generallyit is Treasury Board policy to “dispose of federal buildings in amanner that protects it is heritage character”. 3. It is also Treasury Board policy that prior to the disposal of asurplus property, the environmental condition of the site must bedetermined, and whether remediation is necessary. The govern-ment then will either undertake the remediation itself prior todisposal, or ensure that remediation by the new owner will occuras part of the purchase and sale agreement. The project team isnot aware of which studies have been undertaken in this regard.

The Armoury 5

44

4. The process involves, or could involve, the following governmentagencies and ministries:

• The Treasury Board which oversees the process and hasultimate responsibility

• The Department of National Defence• Parks Canada• Environment Canada• Public Works and Government Services Canada• The Department of Justice Canada• The Canada Lands Company

5b Present Condition of the Armoury and Its Potential

The project team has not been able to assess the interiorconditions of the building, but have focused considerable energyon the Armoury’s position within Tecumseh Park and its role infuture programming.

Currently, the Armoury has been effectively isolated from the otheruses of the park by virtue of its surrounding parking and servicepavements. The building is essentially a closed structure, and,although it has been used in the past for special events, it does notpresent an everyday open presence to the park. There arepresently no opportunities to connect its interior to a programmedexterior space because of the surrounding parking areas. Theceremonial ‘parade ground’ has been subsumed over a number ofadditions and subtractions to the park over the last fifty years.

The ambition of the Master Plan has been to reinstate the formalgrounds that once were integral to the Armoury building itself. Thisambition has been followed through in the Plan by the followingaspects:

The Armoury 5

45

.1 The Tecumseh Common

The removal of the Jaycee Garden is recommended in order to re-create the ‘Tecumseh Common’, a large grassy area wherespontaneous sports and games, picnics, etc. can occur. (Novehicular traffic allowed). The Armoury forms the historicbackdrop to the Common and re-creations of historical militaryevents could be ideally sited in this area of the Park.

.2 The Heritage Terrace

In the immediate forecourt of the Armoury, a major public ‘HeritageTerrace’ is proposed that allows for outdoor events to occur on ahard surface area with raised planters to create shade and colour.This terrace is seen as a major connection between WilliamStreet and the Promontory at the forks of the Thames River andMcGregor’s Creek.

The Terrace is proposed as a major activity area of the park, takingthe high traffic events that have severely damaged the existing treeroot structure in the open grass areas of the existing park, andprogramming those events to occur in the hard surface area. TheArmoury forms a major element along the Terrace, along with aproposed artificial ice surface, new washrooms and facility supportfor the rink, seating areas, and in-ground fountains. This majorpublic space will also set a tableau for an elaborated set ofheritage displays that will build upon the current set ofartifacts that would be relocated along the Terrace route.

The Armoury 5

46

As part of the Heritage Terrace, the Armoury building is seen as animportant built support for new programming. As the integral builtcomponent of the Heritage Terrace, the Armoury can provide theinterior space to support any number of public events. Theseevents could include:

• Exhibit space for retailers for special marketingpromotions;

• Exhibit space for classic car rallies;• Trade shows;• Art in the park extended to the interior (an all season

event);• Beer garden for special public events;• Weddings on the Terrace; reception in the Armoury;• Dances

.3 New Public Washrooms, Park Services, Ice Rink Support

The nearby public washrooms and storage shed that are currentlybeing used in Tecumseh Park have been recommended forreplacement. With the creation of a new ice rink and water fountainarea (water-play potential use), more suitable andpresentable buildings are needed that can give a much higher levelof public amenity. Tying these new built facilities with the HeritageTerrace and the Armoury will create a more cohesive face to thePark along the McGregor’s Creek area and emphasize theimportant Sixth Street Bridge entrance to the Park. The Armouryplays an important role in this route through the Park. With thecreation of ice rink and water fountain / play areas, a higherintensity of use is expected in the Terrace area, and with thismore programming can happen within the Armoury hall including:

• Children’s Camps / Activity Areas on Weekends• Indoor refreshments in the winter• Exhibits and Markets during the winter months

The Armoury 5

47

The Armoury 5

.4 Connecting the Cultural Centre to Tecumseh Park: Armoury as Museum

One of the Master Plan ambitions is to create a broader ‘culturalprecinct’ that would include the Chatham Cultural Centre, theChatham-Kent Museum, the Art Gallery, William Street, theThames River, the Armoury, Tecumseh Park and downtown KingStreet. This precinct is initiated in the master plan with a physicalconnection proposed at the entry point between the Cultural Centreand Tecumseh Park’s William Street edge. Also, the interlinkage ofpark and cultural centre is underlined with park planting where theCultural Centre parking lot is now, and the creation of museum andcultural displays that could be either inserted into the Park or formdisplays at its entry points.

The Armoury is seen as a critical component of this culturalprecinct. Suggestions have been brought forward that the Armourycould have a permanent use as a new Museum, either replacing orbecoming an adjunct to the present space. The wealth ofinformation about the War of 1812, the Underground Railroad, theindustry along the Thames River, indigenous settlements - allthese artifacts could be accommodated within the presentArmoury structure. Alternatively, the Armoury could housetravelling exhibits, or divide its space into a combination of spaceavailable for rent, and a permanent, more compact museumdisplay.

.5 Archaeological Dig Centre

One of the initiatives of the Tecumseh Park Master Plan is anarchaeological dig in the area of the original garrison in the early19th century. The Armoury could be a ‘headquarters’ for theconsiderable attention such a dig would attract, forming aneducational resource for display of the materials uncovered andongoing demonstrations of archaeological techniques.

48

.6 South of the Armoury - a Heritage Precinct

The Master Plan illustrates a more intensive use of the areas‘behind’ the Armoury, in effect, creating a new front. The presentservice / parking zone could be far more creatively used for marketspace with interior support within the Armoury building. Thecollection of heritage buildings in this area of the Park can create aunique historical set of spaces that can be used for markets,exhibits, or outdoor restaurants, with excellent visual connection toKing Street and William Street. Again, the Armoury needs to beviewed as part of a larger precinct - the precinct of TecumsehPark, the larger cultural precinct of the Cultural Centre, and theheritage precinct along McGregor’s Creek. The Armoury, in allthese cases, can add critical support and become not just anarchitectural artifact, but an open and indispensable publicresource.

.7 Public Gathering Space

Public events in Chatham-Kent often need a generous andimpressive interior space. In many communities, these events canhappen in generous City Hall lobbies, in church halls, or even inarenas. The Armoury is a space that is central, historicallysignificant, associated with a major public open space, directlyadjacent to thedowntown core, and potentially sited within abeautiful natural landscape. The Armoury can play host to majorpublic events like famous speakers, open houses, banquets andreceptions. There is no other space like it in Chatham.

The Armoury 5

49

The Armoury 5

.8 School Supports

The Armoury hall can also perform as a resource for the schools inChatham-Kent. It can host science fairs, badminton tournaments,and job fairs. It can host special demonstrations and informationsessions for community colleges and universities. The Armourycan act as a regional resource within the many communities inChatham-Kent and a neutral public zone where all schools canmeet together.

.9 Existing Offices

The ground and second floors of the Armoury can, with someupgrades, also become office spaces that could either be madeavailable to local public agencies or for private rental. These couldbecome unique offices, artists’ studios, dancing studios,independent galleries, or crafts workshops. The offices could alsoaccommodate uses that relate to some of the functions suggestedfor the larger hall area - a “Green Room” for performers, a specialenvironmental education classroom, offices for a new museum, acafe opening onto the Terrace and Ice Rink, etc.

.10 Revenue Sources Separate Boards of Management

The Armoury presents the ideal counterpoint to the publicprogramming of Tecumseh Park. As an interior space (that is bothimpressive and large), it can act as a partner in any number ofrecreational and entertainment events. The creation of the HeritageTerrace and many of the programme elements contained in theTecumseh Park Facilities Master Plan depend upon having aphysical support that will provide internal serviced space, whichwill attract many potential revenue sources.

50

The rental of the Armoury’s main hall, either singly or in conjunctionwith the Terrace, can generate revenue to help with the parkmaintainance and future capital improvements, or to cover themaintenance expenses of the Armoury. The rental of the Armouryto private interests for both public and private events can besubject to a regular scrutiny of its availability for public and privateuses. In other instances where public space and facilities are usedfor both public use and private rentals, a separate board has beencreated to oversee the operation of the public facility and to ensurethat it is not being overly given to private use at a cost to thepublic’s enjoyment of the resource. This is a balance that needs toremain under careful consideration. Involving the citizenry in apublic board of management is often an effective way of ensuringthe public interest is maintained.

.11 Public / Private Partnerships

The future of the Armoury should be kept available for theMunicipality of Chatham-Kent. All of the uses listed in the precedingsections, and many more that could be invented, are potentialuses for this important resource. At issue is its ability to co-evolvewith the new innovations suggested for Tecumseh Park, and theongoing revitalization of downtown. There may be more demandfor the Armoury than can be imagined, or it may take five yearsbefore its potential is appreciated. In this climate, it is important torealize the value of the Armoury over a longer period of time, and tocreate a structure of ownership and management that will permit alarge degree of flexibility. Public / private partnerships are onemethod where the costs of maintenance, operationand upgrades can be shared between the Municipality and aprivate interest. Methods of sharing use and expenses can bedevised over carefully delineated programming andnegotiations. However, there should always remain the possibilityof a full public ownership in the future, should the use of theArmoury increase or intensify. The leasing of the space to privateinterests can ensure public ownership over the long term with theprovision of public availability of the resource.

The Armoury 5

51

It is also important that any upgrades / renovations / additions tothe Armoury, in particular to accommodate private interests, beundertaken with extreme caution, so that the original integrity of thestructure and its heritage importance is not undermined, orcannot be easily restored. The ability to use the Armoury for any ofthe public benefits and uses that have been listed should not becompromised by a private use. Public / private partnerships shouldensure that full public enjoyment is still possible and not limited.

The Armoury’s role within Tecumseh Park gives this building aparticular impetus to remain in public hands, since the surroundinglands of the parking areas in the front and rear of the building willplay such an important role in the overall improvements toTecumseh Park.

5c Recommendations:

• The Armoury should remain in public ownership.

• Public / private partnerships for leasing arrangements,servicing, etc. should allow for full public enjoyment of theArmoury and provide for flexibility in future arrangements;

• The Armoury’s immediate external areas - currently paved -should become part of the landscape of Tecumseh Park;

• The sharing of public use and private use for revenueresources should be explored but carefully monitored,possibly by a separate board of management made up oflocal citizens, municipal staff, and councillors.

• The Armoury should be designated a heritage structurewithin the LACAC framework.

• The Armoury should form an integral part of cultural, heritageand educational precincts.

The Armoury 5

52

5d Existing Plans

The Armoury 5

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Front Elevation

53

Separate Projects 6

The following projects form part of the full conceptual design forTecumseh Park that works towards a vision of the restoration of ahealthy landscape regime, a consolidation of urban linkages to thesurrounding neighbourhoods, King Street and the Thames River,and a new cohesive relationship between internal programmeelements.

1

1 Tecumseh Common2 Shumard Oak Circle3 William Street Gardens4 Thames River Edge and

Floodplain Gardens5 Stanley Street Boat Docking6 Heritage Terrace East

Armoury Plinth7 Central Heritage Terrace8 Heritage Terrace West

and McGregor’s Garden9 Cenotaph Square and

Bridge10 McGregor’s Walk11 New Pedestrian Bridge12 Bandshell Improvements13 Promontory and Pathways 8 7 6

5

4

3

2

11

10

9

13

12

54


The Tecumseh Common 6.1

Design Direction:

The circular Jaycee Garden has dominated the Park landscape formany years. The master plan suggests that the gardens berelocated to surround the park grounds - instead of the gardenbeing in the park, the park is in the garden. Special kinds oflandscape gardens are suggested that make an intermediarygreen space between the edges of the park and its interior. Wintercolours are advocated, as well as a more indigenous tree plantingstrategy, to replace those trees that have to be removed and torepopulate the park with a thick tree canopy in strategic areas. Thenew Tecumseh Common recalls the central open space that wasonce used for baseball, cricket, and field days. The new Commoncan be used for spontaneous recreation activities but shouldremain ‘unprogrammed’. Part of its area will also be investigatedfor its suitability for an archaeological excavation.

Cricket at Tecumseh Common Plan of Tecumseh Common

Separate Projects 6

Earlier garrison site at the‘Common’ - a possible site foran archaeological dig.

55

View of Park Proposed Tecumseh Common

The Tecumseh Common 6.1

Programming:• removal and transplanting of Jaycee Gardens• existing tree conservation and removals as required• 40 new trees, 20 understorey trees• new indigenous species with winter colour• removals / updating of electrical infrastructure• airspading soil to decompact roots (all areas)• integration with looping pathway network• high traffic turf design at special areas• inground lighting and light standards• archaeological investigation of sites

Partnerships: local horticultural groups, school groups

Phasing Position: Phase 1

Refer to Section 7.1 Budget for cost estimate.

Separate Projects 6

56

Design Direction:

The Shumard Oak is an important part of Chatham-Kent’s heritagelandscape. This oak has been reported to have been part of asmall and special network of Shumard Oaks that were planted tomark the progress along the Thames River. A special programmeof taking cuttings from the tree is recommended in order topropogate it in the park and other areas of Chatham-Kent. Aspecial protective circle is proposed that would highlight the oakwith a special heritage display. This Circle will also be an importantentrance marker visible from King Street / Sixth Street and animportant element within the larger Heritage Terrace. Specialremedial work around the base of the tree will be done to alleviatethe constricted and compacted soil conditions.

Plan of Proposed Shumard Oak Circle

Shumard Oak Circle 6.2

Separate Projects 6

57

Programming:• special lighting at tree• heritage display• sitting area and low wall• ground garden to protect root structure of the Shumark Oak• propogate Shumard Oak in the Park by taking cuttings

Partnerships:• tie to heritage community groups and forestry departments


View of Proposed Shumard Oak Circle


Separate Projects 6


58

Design Direction:

The William Street edge of Tecumseh Park does not have asidewalk. As a historical reference to “Lovers Walk’, a newpromenade along William Street is proposed that restores treecover, ‘stretching’ the usable area of the park to its boundaries.Intensified tree planting with understoreys and gardens are initiatedwith a similar treatment on the east side of William Street that willmake a strong connection between the park and a ‘culturalprecinct’ of the museum, art gallery, curling club and future uses. Italso perceptually extends the boundary of the park, so that whensomeone is walking on the other side of William Street, they’re ‘inthe park’. The William Street treatment is also recommended toextend over the bridge to its intersection with King Street, linkingZonta Park and King Street to the Tecumseh Park approach. At thepark’s edge to the street, specific entrance points are proposedthat punctuate a new landscape treatment of ground cover andunderstorey planting that allows the trees to grow in lesscompacted soil regimes.

William Street Gardens 6.3

Separate Projects 6

William Street Plan

Detail of Entrance across from Cultural Centre

59

Cross-Section of New Park Edgealong William Street, Looking North

View of Proposed William StreetEdge, Looking Towards Armoury


Separate Projects 6

Programming:• gardens, 30 new trees, 20 understorey trees, new

promenade• entrance points tied to axial views and Cultural Centre• raised planters at entrances• inground lighting and light standards

Partnerships:• tie to public works improvements to William Street• sponsorship of entrance points



Original ‘Lovers’ Walk’

60

Floodplain Gardens and Thames River Edge 6.4

Design Direction:

The Thames River Edge is currently informally used. The master planproposes that the flood plain portion of the park adjacent to the water’sedge be developed as a special garden with planting species especiallyselected to deal with a fluctuating water level. Pathways travelling throughthese gardens will promote a looping larger pathway structure to bringmore people into all areas of the park. Tied to the new boardwalk anddocking, the Thames River edge is developed as a continuous pathwaynetwork that connects to the Promontory. Similar water’s edge treatmentsare recommended for Fred Collins Park across the river (with possibleexpansion along the banks in front of the TRCA and current empty lot) toexpand the view across Tecumseh Park to the other banks, connectingthe park to the larger open space precinct of the river. The upper hardsurface parkway on the east edge of the Floodplain Gardens will ensurean all season walking ‘looping’ network.

Plan of Thames RiverEdge Improvements andFloodplain Garden

Separate Projects 6

61

Floodplain Gardens and Thames River Edge 6.4

View of Fifth Street Bridgeand New Thames River Edge

Programming:• specialty gardens• seating areas• small performance spots• inground lighting and small water feature• 30 new trees, 15 understorey trees• irrigation

Partnerships: horticultural groups, school environmental groups,larger park networks connecting into the Thames River


View of Floodplain Gardens

Refer to Section 7.1 Budget for cost estimate.Refer to Section 7.4 Budget for cost estimate.

Separate Projects 6

62

Design Direction:

In Tecumseh Park’s current condition, the usable part of the park‘shrinks’ away from its edges, which has the overall effect ofreducing the ‘perceptual’ area of the park. By stretching the uses ofthe park to its edges, the park’s usable area will be increased. Byplacing a boardwalk and small boat docking facility along the northedge of the park, within the Stanley Street right of way, the northedge of the park will be fully used, expanding the perceptual areaand potentially reducing vandalism by making this area of the parkopen and visible. The boardwalk connects to a new small cut intothe Thames River for a simple process of lifting small boats intothe river. This boardwalk connects to a relocated position for theseasonal dock at the water’s edge. At the larger contextual scale,the small boat docking connects to a broader system ofreinvigorated uses of the Thames River as a recreationallandscape. New dock structures should accommodate seasonalflooding levels of the Thames River.

Separate Projects 6

Stanley Street Boat Docking 6.5

Plan at Stanley Street Boat Docking

63

Separate Projects 6


Dragonboat Race 2006


Sculling circa 1910

Programming:• removal of parking asphalt area• wood boardwalk with space for launching (lifting) small craft into the river• 10 new trees with raised planters• inground lighting with light standards• breakwall, docking area

Partnerships: boating associations, horticultural groups, schoolenvironmental groups, larger park networks connecting into theThames River


64

Design Direction:

The Armoury plays a critical physical role as a potent reminder ofTecumseh’s military foundations and its contribution to the heritage ofboth Chatham-Kent and Ontario. The environment around the Armoury isdeveloped as more connected to the building itself to allow for cohesiveprogramming, whether the Armoury eventually becomes part of a public/private partnership or remains in solely public hands. The south part ofthe Armoury, currently used for parking and servicing, has beenreconfigured to allow for servicing at the same time as the space isprogrammed for smaller events - outdoor exhibits, markets, specialevents, taking advantage of the heritage structures to the south, theRegistry Building, McGregor’s Creek and the potentially charming mainstreet buildings’ back facades and future Creek Walk. The former paradeground area of the Armoury to the north is proposed as part of a ‘HeritageTerrace’ that connects William Street to the Promontory in a sweep ofactivites in a hard surfaced zone - ice rink, special planted gardens, theShumard Pak Circle, heritage displays, archaeological excavations, etc.

Separate Projects 6

Plan of Proposed Armoury Precinct

Heritage Terrace East / Armoury Plinth 6.6

65

Programming:• removal of parking asphalt area• hard surface pavement with raised planter• raised plinth / lawn around Armoury• inground lighting with light standards• 22 new trees with gardens

Partnerships:potential private / public involvement in future use of Armoury


Separate Projects 6


Plan and Section ThroughArmoury Lawn

View of Proposed Terrace Plantingat William Street Entrance

View of Proposed Terrace Planting

Heritage Terrace East / Armoury Plinth 6.6

66

Design Direction:

The Central Heritage Terrace continues the east/west trajectory oflarger hard surface public space to set up a strong entrance axisbetween the Sixth Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Shumard Oak, andthe pathway system. The Central Heritage Terrace phase will bringmajor new amenities to Tecumseh Park with a new artifical ice rinkthat can be transformed into an inground water feature for the fall,spring and summer months. This area will be supported by raisedplanted gardens, new trees, lighting, and a new washroom buildingand storage facility, making it a highly effective venue for civicevents. The Central Terrace will also be immediately adjacent tothe proposed archaeological dig and will continue the theme ofheritage displays as part of its route across the Park to thePromontory.

Plan of Water Featuredrained to provide hardsurface for events

Central Heritage Terrace 6.7

Separate Projects 6

67

Programming:• hard surface public space with raised planters• in ground water feature• artificial ice rink• new washrooms and storage facility• inground lighting and light standarads

Partnerships:potential private / public involvement in use of event spacerecreational partnerships for skating, hockey etc.


View of Central Heritage Terrace

Separate Projects 6



68

Design Direction:

The final segment of the Heritage Terrace completes theconnection of the Heritage Terrace from the William Streetentrance point at the Armoury across the water fountains and icerink, connecting to the Shumard Oak and Cenotaph / Sixth StreetEntrance, to reach the Promontory. An important part of this phaseof work is the the making of a special garden along the banks ofMcGregor’s Creek, which is presently inaccessible. This doublepedestrian looping system will create a special connection to thePromontory and on to the Thames River walk. The completion ofthis loop is especially important to Tecumseh Park to create seriesof different walks through the park, bringing daily visitors to enjoythe gardens and heritage displays. The MdGregor’s Garden facilitywill include a small docking area that will allow small crafts to tieup, making another ‘water’ loop travelling from the Stanley Streetdock. A hanging garden / trellis structure is proposed to bridgeacross McGregor’s Creek to make a special walk along its edge,and to also create a strong connection to its other bank, leading toKing Street. The walk should be elevated to accommodateseasonal flooding levels.

Separate Projects 6

Plan of Proposed Heritage Terrace

Heritage Terrace West and McGregor’s Garden 6.8

69

Separate Projects 6



Programming:• hard surface public space with raised planters• potential removal of Lawn Bowling Club• terrace / docking at McGregor’s Creek• trellis and hanging wisteria garden• hard and soft surface paths at upper and lower levels

Partnerships: horticultural groups, school groupsmuseum, local heritage societies


View of McGregor’s Garden and Trellis

Existing view

70

Separate Projects 6

Cenotaph Square and Pedestrian Bridge 6.9

Design Direction:

The Sixth Street entrance creates a critical connection from KingStreet to Tecumseh Park. Once part of a more elaborate axialrelationship with the original City Hall, the Cenotaph ‘square’ now ismore or less aligned with the shopping mall main entrance. Themaster plan proposes that the Cenotaph square extend itselfacross King Street by planting signature trees, special pavementand lighting to underline the important connection to the park. Thesquare itself is elaborated as a grove of special signature treesthat are mirrored on King Street. Several variations suggest thatthe actual Cenotaph monument could be relocated into the Parkgrounds as a focal point of the Heritage Terrace, strengthening inthe military history of Tecumseh Park and the Armoury. Thepedestrian bridge that crosses McGregor’s Creek can have simpleimprovements made to its surface and handrails so that it is amore pleasurable experience.

Plan of Proposed Sixth Street Pedestrian Bridge and King Street Connection

71

Separate Projects 6


Earlier pedestrian bridge over McGregor’s Creek

Programming:• hard surface public space with raised planters• new signage, inground lights and standards• seating• new pavement crossing King Street• 14 new trees and new gardens• new wood surface and ornamental rails at bridge

Partnerships: local BIA partnership



Existing view of bridge

72

Design Direction:

The McGregor’s Creek edge holds great potential in stretching theboundaries of the Park to the south. By developing a continuouspathway that takes advantage of the creek edge’s natural beauty,the area of the park will be greatly expanded and create a largerlooping pathway network connecting to the full park. The creek alsopresents a recreational opportunity for small boats and creating aninteresting shorter trip along the creek, around the promontory tothe proposed Stanley Street docking facility. A continuous pergola isproposed to bridge across the creek as a framework for vines anda special environment particular to this intimate area of the park.This part of the park also is important in creating a visual andprogrammatic link between King Street and Tecumseh Park. Abordering pathway along the King Street side is proposed as aconnecting linkage. This pathway should be at an upper level toaccommodate seasonal flooding levels.

Plan of Proposed McGregor’s Creek Walk and Improvements

McGregor’s Walk 6.10

Separate Projects 6

73


Programming:• trellis for hanging wisteria garden• new soft surface pathway along Creek’s edge• small docking at William Street / McGregor’s Creek• 20 new trees and new gardens• 14 new trees and new gardens• inground lighting and standards

Partnerships: tie to main street businesses


Separate Projects 6


Section at Proposed McGregor’s Creek Walk and Improvements

74

Design Direction:

Although Tecumseh Park is centrally located in Chatham, it is notwell connected to the north side of the river, despite its closeness.Recalling an earlier attempt to locate a bridge at the foot of StanleyStreet, this new pedestrian bridge completes the Stanley Streetalignment over the river to Thames Street at the foot of VictoriaAvenue. This connection establishes a good looping path networklinking the Thames River open spaces, including Thames Grove,as well as bringing a new neighbourhood a walk away fromTecumseh Park. This bridge would also connect a number ofwater’s edge spaces on the opposite bank, including theConservation Authority’s property, and an empty lot that couldbecome an adjunct to the Tecumseh Park precinct.

Partnerships: Conservation Authority, neighbourhoodassociations, cycling and hiking networks


Plan of Proposed Pedestrian Bridge

Pedestrian Bridge 6.11

Separate Projects 6


75

Design Direction:

The grounds of the Bandshell is integrated more completely withthe pathway network in the master plan proposal, with the board-walk and gardens running to the north of the building as well asaround its other sides, connecting with the William Street edge.The popularity and importance of the bandshell is reflected in thecurrent design for an addition to its current facilities. New practicerooms, a music library and storage areas that can be addedaround its base can be designed more transparently so that thebuilding provides more ‘eyes on the park’. The smaller practicerooms can also be sited so that they look out onto the floodplaingarden and river for smaller impromptu performances or even anoutdoor theatre.

Programming: renovations to interior, doubling size of existingfacility, new surface for audiences, special turf surround

Partnerships: Chatham Concert Band, Chatham Cultural Centre


Plan of Proposed Band Shell Improvements View of Bandshell and Seating Area with New Turf

Bandshell Improvements 6.12

Separate Projects 6


76

Plan of Proposed Promontory

Promontory and Pathway 6.13

Separate Projects 6

Design Direction:

The Promontory and Pathway will form the most important linkageof the water’s edge walking loop, so that the entire perimeter of thepark will be accessible. The current partial pathway that encirclesthe Promontory floods on a seasonal basis. It is recommendedthat the new Promontory pathway be elevated by a sufficientamount that will allow the path to be accessible for these floodingevents. A special pavilion is proposed for the promontory that willbe the destination of the Heritage Terrace, with unique historicaldisplays. A simple lawn will provide a space for relaxing andenjoying the view, while a more generous walkway will allow forboth fishing and strolling comfortably.

Canon at the Promontory

77

Separate Projects 6


View of Promontory from Fifth Street Bridge


Programming:• new light pavilion• new hard surface walk at water’s edge, raised to accommodate rising water levels that occur seasonally• terraced lawn with steps• in-ground lighting and light standards• 8 new trees• new heritage displays, restoration of cannon

Partnerships: tie to main street businesses, fishing, boating

Phasing Position: Phase

Promontory

78

Budget Estimates 7

For each separate project, an estimate has been made by applyingcurrent unit prices and broader percentages of quantities ofmaterials to provide a guide in determining budgets for capitalcosts and phasing strategies. These costs are preliminary, and aremeant as a guide only. Each of the separate projects will besubject to a schematic and detailed design phase in their stages ofdevelopment, where accurate pricing can be more easily obtained.Each of the individual budgets contain an allowance forcontingencies for design fees and construction. Taxes are notincluded, nor are escalation contingencies for projects that happenseveral years in the future.

79

4K. PLAYGROUNDTecumseh Common 7.1

Budget Estimates 7

80


Budget Estimates 7

81


Budget Estimates 7

82

Floodplain Garden and Water’s Edge 7.4

Budget Estimates 7

83


Budget Estimates 7

84

Heritage Terrace East and Armoury Plinth 7.6

Budget Estimates 7

85


Budget Estimates 7

86


Budget Estimates 7

87


Budget Estimates 7

88


Budget Estimates 7

89

New Pedestrian Bridge 7.11Bandshell Improvements 7.12

Budget Estimates 7

90

Budget Estimates 7


91

Budget Estimates 7

Budget Summary

92

The following phasing scenario composes the separate projects ina logical sequence that attempts to even out the funding amountsover five different phases. In particular, the Lawn Bowling Club hasbeen retained until the final phase, to accommodate concernsabout its relocation. For that reason, the final phase of workincludes the improvements to the Promontory. The phasing plansdemonstrate that the Lawn Bowling Club may be retained,although the access to the Promontory would necessarily remainout of view from other areas of the park. In each of the phases, thefollowing four criteria has been determined:

Internal Spatial Organization - the ability of the separateproject to work towards the transformation of the interior elementsand pathways of Tecumseh Park

Historical Connections and Identities: - thecontribution of the separate project towards establishing a morecomprehensive approach to the heritage aspects of TecumsehPark

Edges and Expanded Boundaries - the capacity of theseparate project to make stronger connections to the immediateand expanded context

Program and Site Repertoire - the ability of the separateproject to bring a new dimension in terms of programming andrevitalization to the gardens and public spaces of Tecumseh Park

Phasing Scenario 8

93

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phase 1

Project 6.1 Tecumseh Common - Part 1Project 6.2 Shumard Oak CircleProject 6.3 William Street GardensProject 6.4 Archaeological Dig - Year 1

94

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phase 2

Project 6.1 Tecumseh Common - Part 2Project 6.4 Floodplain Garden and Water’s EdgeProject 6.6 Heritage Terrace East, Armoury PlinthProject 6.1 Archaeological Dig - Year 1

95

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phase 3

Project 6.7 Central Heritage TerraceProject 6.9 Cenotaph Square and Sixth Street BridgeProject 6.10 McGregor’s Walk Project 6.1 Tecumseh Common - Part 1Project 6.2 Shumard Oak CircleProject 6.3 William Street GardensProject 6.4 Archaeological Dig - Year 1

96

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phase 4

Project 6.13 Promontory and PathwayProject 6.11 Thames Pedestrian BridgeProject 6.12 Bandshell Improvements

97

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phase 5

Project 6.8 Heritage Terrace West and McGregor’s GardenProject 6.14 Armoury South Precinct (not estimated)

98

Phasing Scenarios 8

Master Plan with Context

The five phases of the Tecumseh Park Master Plan are intended tobe integrated with ongoing civic improvements to the surroundingstreets - Murray Street, William Street, Stanley Street and ColborneStreet to create a special linkage to the historic neighbourhoodsurrounding the park. Similarly, improvements to King Street, ZontaPark, and the McGregor’s south edge are also shown as part onan ongoing revitalization of the full ‘Tecumseh Park Precinct’. Thelinkage to the north side of the Thames River is shown as a newinitiative to create a looping park network that reaches both sidesof the river in each direction.

99

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phasing Summary

100

Phasing Scenarios 8

101

Phasing Scenarios 8

Phasing Matrix

102

Documents

Tecumseh Park Master Plan