Renovation of Hamilton’s Gage Park earns inaugural legacy award

by jason_cramp | January 16, 2017 1:30 pm

By Lawrence Stasiuk, FCSLA, OALA

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Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, there stands a piece of landscape history offering a quiet place of refuge and solace, where the soothing sounds of water and ambient noise of children playing can be heard. Framed by beautiful vistas and the lush green Niagara Escarpment, along with formal flower beds and a vast variety of mature trees, Hamilton’s Gage Park is a popular location for photographers, local residents, and tourists alike.

The park, located in the middle of the active city, is a fine example of the City Beautiful Movement—an early urban planning effort which was active in Canada from 1893 to 1930. Originally purchased from the Gage Family in 1917 on the outskirts of the city at the time, the property is 28 ha (69 acres). The park has been a popular site for festivals, viewing well-tended horticultural beds, strolling tree-lined grand walkways, playing baseball, tennis, and lawn bowling, appreciating performances at the bandshell, and visiting the Children’s Museum and tropical house.

The park was originally designed and built between 1919-27 by Howard B. and Lorrie 
A. Dunington-Grubb, two early founders of Canadian landscape architecture. The design, which includes dominant vistas to the Niagara Escarpment, sweeping walkways, a Great Lawn, sports fields, horticultural beds, as well as formal and informal spaces, was reflective of the movement and time period.

These were forward-thinking concepts when developed in the ’20s and throughout the years were not only retained, but have been a defining framework unifying the park features as it evolved to serve the needs of the community.

In 1927, the iconic fountain, watercourse, and terrace were added to the park in the centre of 
the formal perennial gardens. The fountain was a donation from Eugenie Gage, the granddaughter of the property’s settler John Gage. It was designed by John Lyle, a well-known architect who worked on other landmark projects, including Hamilton’s T.B. McQuesten Bridge on York Boulevard, Toronto’s Union Station, and Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Use and abuse

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Few public parks are immune to heavy use and abuse, and Gage Park is no exception. The phrase “love it to death” certainly applies here. As the public is drawn to this park in vast numbers, the grounds have suffered significant deterioration over the years. For instance, it is not uncommon for one of the city’s major festivals held at 
Gage Park to attract a quarter of a million people over a four-day event. In addition to these larger festivals, the park also hosts many smaller events each year. In fact, permits were issued for 19 events in 2016.

Further, citizens and visitors are attracted to the many features of the park on a daily basis. What is more difficult to understand is the senseless vandalism that frequently occurred in the park. In this regard, praise must be given to the hardworking staff that combat this ‘invisible’ menace each day to ensure the park is not only safe, but also remains attractive to the public.

Revitalization underway

Unfortunately, many years of deterioration took its toll and a massive redevelopment plan was required to restore its original grandeur. The City of Hamilton recognized the functional and spiritual role of the park to the community and given its importance, the city committed significant money and resources to undertake the large-scale renewal of the space.

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In 2010, the city adopted a revitalization master plan which was prepared by DTAH Landscape Architects. The new vision for the park provides greater protection of cultural heritage elements that, in turn, will strengthen the grounds as a cultural landscape and showcase it as a premier regional park in the city.

Following the adoption of the master plan, a capital improvement strategy was formed and the hard work began. Projects to date include the installation of a subsurface stormwater collection and detention system, revitalization of the formal perennial gardens along Hamilton’s Main Street, new decorative fencing and brick gateway features, new greenhouses, replacement of walkway lighting, restoration of the Gage Park water fountain, and redevelopment of the terrace plaza and perennial gardens bordering the watercourse.

Fountain restoration

The fountain restoration, including the redevelopment of the fountain terraces, was completed under two contracts. The fountain restoration was completed 
in 2011-12 by the city’s Tourism and Culture, Planning & Economic Development Department under the supervision of Therese Charbonneau, senior conservator, who retained Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd., of Toronto, to develop all restoration drawings and specifications. D.J. McRae Contracting Ltd., also of Toronto, was the general contractor.

Work included the complete disassembly of the fountain pedestal, replacement of engraved dedication stonework around the column’s pedestal, repairs to damaged stonework, cleaning and repainting of the concrete walls and basin in the upper pool and lower watercourse, restoration of the bronze turtle and duck features, and new plumbing to all spray jets. Other work included restoration to the natural stone stairs and abutments. The total construction value of this restoration was $630,000.

A notable adjustment was the return of the original column segment between the pedestal 
and lower bowl. This 1.2-m (4-ft) high column, decorated with dancing cherubs, raised the fountain to its original height.

Fountains, terraces, and perennial gardens command attention

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While the fountain commands attention, it is the upper and lower terraces with its formal perennial and annual beds that set the stage. Unfortunately, years of overgrowth, aging materials, and abuse have made this an area to avoid. The original design was still strong and relevant; however, the materials had reached the end of their lifecycles.

To redevelop this landscape and restore the dignity and elegance of this space, the city, under 
the direction of the Public Works Department, turned to landscape architect Haig Seferian, Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA), Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows (FASLA), and Burlington, Ont.’s Seferian Design Group, to create a new vision while at the same time respecting the legacy of the past.

The issues and concerns that needed to be addressed included:

• Tired horticultural displays;
• Failing unit paving;
• Ineffective lighting at the end of its life;
• Fountain overspray management;
• Inaccessibility between the two levels; and
• Tall beech hedges that surrounded the terraces creating too much privacy, which also acted as cover to the vandals who severely damaged the fountain.

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The vision proposed and detailed by the Seferian Design Group recreated the gardens on both sides of the lower watercourse and introduced a large circular plaza with horticultural beds around the fountain in the upper terrace. Formality was reintroduced with the installation of boxwood-lined planting areas which included a wide array of perennial plantings in the lower terrace and framed beds for changing annual plantings in the upper terrace. To ensure success and reduce operational pressures, a new irrigation system was installed throughout all beds.

Two access ramps were also added to each side of the grand staircase to allow easy movement between the levels. These were carefully designed to be integrated into the gardens and to preserve design symmetry.

The upper plaza was designed as a place to congregate and hold events around the fountain. The generous plaza also serves as an overspray area during windy conditions. Water is collected and directed towards the fountain base to a circular trench drain that accentuates the circular form of the fountain. Beyond the spray zone, custom-designed curved concrete benches reinforce the circular form and provide ideal viewing spots of the fountain and flower beds.

Attention was paid to every detail, including the mechanical distribution chamber. With the reinstatement of all spray features for the fountain, it became apparent the old chamber did not have the space for any additional pipes and valves. In consultation with the plumber responsible for the fountain operation, a new custom chamber was designed not only to provide easy access, but also to eliminate any confined spaces. 
To achieve this, a stainless steel butterfly vault hatch cover was used. Since the vault was located in the plaza, a heavy-duty cover—rated for an H20 load (the bridge design criteria established by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials [AASHTO]), was used to support any vehicle that would drive over it.

New replica stone walls were built on the opposite side of the upper terrace to integrate the new plaza to the existing staircase. In fact, the old wall at the top of the staircase served as the pattern for Benabec Architectural Precast Products, a manufacturer of custom concrete architectural designs, which recreated the shape of the spindles and cap stone 
to match the style of the old wall.

Security was improved by removing the tall beech hedges and opening up the views from all parts of the park. New light-emitting diode (LED) decorative lights were also installed on both terraces. The lower terrace features single luminaires with two hanging baskets on each pole. These baskets were irrigated with drip lines. The upper terrace has twin luminaires and the pole is extended up to support LED spotlights carefully aimed to accentuate the fountain from all sides. Black metal benches and litter containers were added to complete the furnishings.

The redevelopment of the fountain terraces was completed in 2013-14 at a cost of $690,000. The general contractor was the CSL Group of Hamilton 
in Ancaster, Ont.

Park enhances quality of life

Hamilton’s Gage Park contributes to the community year-round by providing improved quality-of-life 
for city goers and tourists alike. It helps make the surrounding neighbourhoods more habitable by providing free recreation opportunities for youth and families, and it presents places where everyone can feel a sense of community.

Inaugural ‘Legacy Award’

In 2016, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) created a new award called the CSLA Legacy Project Award. It recognizes distinguished landscape architecture projects that were forward-thinking for their time, contribute significantly to their communities, show leadership and innovation, and are still relevant examples of excellence in the profession of landscape architecture.

This award honours projects that have left and continue to leave a lasting impact on Canada’s landscape. Hamilton’s Gage Park was the first project to receive the Legacy Project Award which was presented last summer at the CSLA’s gala in Winnipeg.

“Our community is proud to be home to one of Canada’s best urban parks. Gage Park has a long history of hosting cultural, musical, and community events while offering a quiet escape from urban life right in the heart of Hamilton. We are proud to receive the inaugural CSLA Legacy Award,” says Hamilton Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Green.

City of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger says Gage Park is a destination for cultural events that highlight the diversity of the community.

“To be the inaugural recipient of the CSLA Legacy Project Award is a great honour and nod to an iconic landmark in Hamilton,” says the mayor. “The restoration of the fountain along with numerous upgrades preserves the legacy of the park and its original designers.”

Gage Park Fountain Terraces Project

Location: Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E., Hamilton, Ont. Owner: City of Hamilton Photography: Francis Fougere Photographics Fountain restoration Restoration of historic masonry, including grand staircase, vertical fountain feature, basin, and water course: • Project manager—Therese Charbonneau, senior conservator • City of Hamilton, Tourism and Culture, Planning & Economic Development Department • Architect—Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd., Toronto • General contractor—D.J. McRae Contracting Ltd., Toronto • Mechanical—Aqua Plans Aquatic Consultants Inc., Kitchener, Ont. • Plumbing—Binbrook Plumbing & Heating, Hamilton Fountain terraces Upper and lower plazas, lighting and landscaping features: • Project manager—Lawrence Stasiuk, landscape architect • City of Hamilton, Public Works Department • Landscape architect—Seferian Design Group, Burlington, Ont. • Civil engineering—AMEC Environmental & Infrastructure, Burlington, Ont. • Irrigation—Creative Irrigation Solutions Inc., London, Ont. • General contractor—CSL Group of Hamilton, Ancaster, Ont. • Electrical engineering—Cronnox Incorporated, Oakville, Ont.

[6]Lawrence Stasiuk, FCSLA, OALA, is a supervisor with the City of Hamilton, Public Works Department, Landscape Architectural Services. He was the project manager for the redesign of the fountain terraces. He can be reached via e-mail at Lawrence.Stasiuk@hamilton.ca[7].

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