Memorial Square, Barrie

In 2013 the City of Barrie retained JDB Associates to redesign Memorial Square in the heart of the downtown core. This urban plaza is to act as a gateway between the downtown shops and the tail end of the City’s waterfront promenade. 

The conceptual design consisted of the existing cenotaph sculpture at the top of the plaza and a large covered stage at the bottom. Between these features are several sets of stairs, with fountains incorporated, which connect the upper and lower tiers of the plaza. Urban vegetation and raised plant beds were used throughout to mitigate the heat island effect and soften the plaza’s large amount of hardscape. Memorial Square is now a landmark within Barrie and has provided the City with an urban public space that was once absent from the framework of downtown.