Great Places in Canada
Visitors to this site say that these are great places in Canada. What is your favourite place in Canada? Search the nominations submitted so far, and place your vote!
If your favourite place isn't on our website, consider nominating it!
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West Montrose Covered Bridge
Waterloo, ON
Public Space
The bridge was built in 1881 and underwent major repairs in 1999. Light traffic is still crossing the bridge daily including horse and buggies. The bridge is often referred to as "The Kissing Bridge" because it is enclosed and the soft light provides a feeling of intimacy for the romantic...More
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Queen Street
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
Street
Noted for its beautifully maintained heritage buildings, the town is the site of the province's first newspaper, the first lending library, the first parliament of the region, and the first historical museum . It is now a favorite tourist destination, not only for such historic sites but also for the world-renowned Shaw Festival , the lovely parks, and the area's vineyards and wineries...More
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Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Yarmouth, NS
Public Space
Located at the tip of scenic Cape Forchu, approximately ten minutes from the Town of Yarmouth, the Cape Forchu Lighthouse is home to the first “applecore” style lighthouse with its 75 feet of statuesque beauty and 19 acres of pristine grounds. This towering beacon sits atop picturesque volcanic rocks, and has guided vessels safely into the Yarmouth Harbour since 1840. The light keeper's home is a duplex that housed both the light keeper and his assistant and their families. Today it's a museum, and a Tea Room is located in the kitchen and dining area. The fog building is still functional, but must be sounded manually. Cape Forchu is Nova Scotia's only intact lightstation open to the public. All the others have lost one or more keeper's houses and outbuilding...More
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Victoria Park
Truro, NS
Public Space
A true gem in the heart of Truro! Victoria Park is one of Truro's greatest assets – a natural woodland park of roughly 400 acres in the centre of town. Lepper Brook, with its two sets of waterfalls, flows through a steep tree covered rocky gorge. Several walking trails follow along the brook, allowing a close view of this unique setting. The first set of falls is named after the distinguished Joseph Howe who admired them during a visit in 1830. The next are the Waddell Falls, named after Susan Waddell Stevens, who donated the first land in 1888 containing the falls and gorge, thus beginning this park for the enjoyment of Truro citizens...More
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Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
Street
Yonge Street is a historic main shopping street in Toronto. It's the Times Square of Canada, a singular melting pot with unparalleled history (especially music history). Tons of musicians come to mind: Ronnie Hawkins, The Band, Gordon Lightfoot even wrote a song about the street. It's remained a great pedestrian stroll with vibrant storefronts and buildings (for the most part) kept to a human scale. There really is something for everyone on Yonge Street; it's the biggest and best example of large-scale urbanism come to Canad...More
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Old Montreal
Montreal, QC
Neighbourhood
Old Montreal can be measured by the number of people visiting it. It has reached millions of people, including regional residents. It is located on the waterfront and the access is easy by subway or walking from downtown Montreal. Several old buildings made the renown of this beautiful location...More
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Prince Arthur's Landing
Thunder Bay
Public Space
Prince Arthur's Landing is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the City of Thunder Bay. The newly renovated waterfront now includes an outdoor skating rink that becomes a splash pad in the summer. The historic CP Rail Baggage Building was renovated to become an artisan space that will be used as a workshop for artists and a place to sell their wares...More
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The Dog Park - "Dogs in the Hood"
Kingston, ON
Public Space
This dog park is one of four off leash parks in the city of Kingston On and is located next to a public library and adjacent to the Cataraqui River in east Kingston. The dog park is accessed by a paved walkway making it accessible to people with handicaps. A fence surrounds it, and dogs and their masters enter through a set of gates. Bench seating is provided for the people while water, "poop bags," and waste bins are provided for the dogs. Once inside the park, dogs can run and play in open space with other dogs or walk the sawdust trail with their people friends...More
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Lake Koocanusa
BC
Public Space
It is a lake in British Columbia where the waters are clean and crisp. It is a great place to camp with the kids and is full of memories for many people. It is called Koocanusa because it is a river that is dammed, the Kootney river, hence the KOO part of the name; it is partly in CANada and the other part is in the USA.. That is why it is called KOO CAN USA...More
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Mississauga Celebration Square
Mississauga, ON
Public Space
Located outside of Mississauga City Hall in the downtown core, Mississauga Civic Square opened in 1987. In 2011, $40 million was spent to revitalize the space, which was reopened and rebranded as Mississauga Celebration Square...More
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Main Street
Summerland, BC
Street
Located in the heart of downtown, Main Street is roughly four blocks long, with Rosedale Ave and Victoria Rd at either end. The street is over 100 years old...More
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Botanical Beach (in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Near Port Renfrew, BC
Public Space
Botanical Beach is a beautiful spot to explore. You must first walk along a gorgeous path where the sights, sounds and smells stimulate your every sense. Once you've reached the beach, you can hear and see the waves crashing against the rocks creating huge splashes. You can enjoy a sunrise, a sunset, or simply an afternoon escape. While you're there, don't forget to explore all of the tide pools sculptured in the sandstone, which is home to many living organisms such as Purple Sea Urchins, fish, sea cucumbers, clams, and so much more. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins during their migration...More
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Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Oakville, ON
Public Space
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is conveniently located between Oakville and Burlington just north of the Queen Elizabeth Highway (QEW). Established in 1974, it boasts over 10 km of walking trails, 144 campsites, an outdoor swimming pool, children's farm and play barn, nature centre, 1900s living history museum, and 11 picnic shelters and picnic areas. In the winter, you can ice skate on the Olympic-sized outdoor surface or toboggan down any number of slopes...More
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Officers' Square
Fredericton, NB
Public Space
For 230 years and counting, Officers’ Square has been Fredericton’s main public gathering space. Back in its heyday, it started off as the soldiers’ training grounds and was located adjacent to the military barracks. Gradually, it has come to form a part of a whole row of public, civic, and institutional uses along Queen Street, the historic core´s main axis. Officers´ Square lies in the centre of this historic and cultural area, equidistant from City Hall to the west as it is to the Provincial Parliament Building to the east...More
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Town of Ladysmith
Ladysmith, BC
Neighbourhood
Ladysmith is located on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is an oceanside town with a great deal of character and has a rich history. Ladysmith is 112 years old, and the population of Ladysmith is around 7,500 people...More
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Victoria Row (on Richmond St.)
Charlottetown, PEI
Street
Victoria Row is one of downtown Charlottetown’s gems. It’s a pedestrian street located on Richmond St., between Queen Street and Great George St. The street is approximately 800m long and can be found here on the map...More
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Village de Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc
Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Public Space
Le Lac Saint-Jean est l'une des plus belles régions touristiques du Québec. Beaucoup de rivières y sont accessibles. Celle-ci dans ce petit village est d'une beauté remarquable. Il s'agit de l'une des beautés naturelles du Lac Saint-Jean parmi plusieurs autres cours d'eau attrayant dans cette région. Vous pouvez vous y arrêter pour méditer, respirer un bon coup ou tout simplement y faire un pique-nique. Des cyclistes s'y arrêtent le temps de faire une pause...More
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Wascana Park
Regina, SK
Public Space
Wascana Park is a large public park in Regina, Saskatchewan. It has existed for as long as I can remember -- an early, albeit not my first, memory of it is attending wonderful birthday parties that were held at some of its numerous BBQ or picnic spots. It is one of the largest urban parks and is broken down into many areas, some of which are still not developed...More
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Minden Boardwalk
Minden, ON
Public Space
The Township of Minden Hills invites everyone to come out and enjoy the completed Minden Riverwalk pathway along the beautiful Gull River running through downtown Minden, along with the newly completed Boardwalk, constructed through the existing Minden Walking Trail. It displays flora and fauna of the area while providing a comfortable walking environment for residents and visitors to Minden...More
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High Street
Grand Falls Windsor, NL
Street
High Street is located in the beautiful Town of Grand Falls Windsor along the Exploits River. Situated in the downtown core of the Town, High Street is the main source of economic, civic, and recreational activity...More
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Roncesvalles Village
Toronto, ON
Neighbourhood
Roncesvalles Village is located in west Toronto, just east of High Park. It has semi-formal boundaries due to local geography and urban features. Roncesvalles Village is bounded by High Park on the west, Lake Ontario/Queen Street to the south, Lansdowne/rail corridor to the east, and Bloor Street to the north. The neighbourhood is approximately 100 years old; many houses, churches and commercial buildings in this neighbourhood were built between 1909 and 1914. According to the 2006 census, Roncesvalles Village had a population of approximately 16,000. This has probably increased by about 1000 since then...More
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Town of Churchill
Churchill, MB
Neighbourhood
Churchill is located on the shore of Hudson's Bay in Manitoba. It is believed that nomadic Arctic people who first populated this area in 1000 AD evolved into the Inuit. The Dene people also came into this area around 500, long before the Europeans first arrived in 1619 where only three of the 64 explorers survived their expedition. The Hudson's Bay Company had an important role in colonizing the area by setting up a permanent settlement in 1717, and named this trading post after one of Winston Churchill's ancestors, John Churchill, who was governor of this famous company and also known as the first Duke of Marlborough. Like many newly populated areas, Churchill had its share of wars, conflicts, and growing pains. Approximately 1000 people live in Churchill consisting of non-native, Aboriginal (Chipewyan and Swampy Cree), Métis, and Inuit...More
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Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario
Public Space
The most scenic trajectory through the park is on Highway 60 between Barry's Bay and Huntsville. The park is readily accessible from major urban centres such as Ottawa and Toronto. You can see the boreal forest and its inhabitants, including many Canadian animal icons like the beaver, spotted loon, moose, timber wolf, and the black bear without much exploratory effort...More
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Heartland Forest
Niagara Falls, ON
Public Space
This location is deserving of an award as it is a barrier-free (fully wheelchair accessible) nature trail with a wheelchair accessible treehouse AND playground. It is also FREE ... there is absolutely no cost to visit and walk amongst the protected forest and wetland areas. At any time you can see a variety of animal and plant species. It is just gorgeous there...More
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The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Vancouver, BC
Public Space
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the first of its kind outside China. It is a haven for quiet in the big city. It is made of natural woods, stones, plants, and the light affects it differently at different times of day. There are separate room-like areas which give you privacy. The walls are high, keeping out the noise. You feel at peace, can meditate, and just reflect -- it is gorgeous (take a virtual tour online)...More
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Hecla Provincial Park
Near Riverton, MB
Public Space
The park was established in August of 1969 and opened for public use in 1975. The year 2005 marked its 30th anniversary. Hecla is 6.5 km wide and 26.5 km long. Other islands which are a part of Hecla Provincial Park include Black Island, Goose Island, Deer Island, Punk Island, and Little Punk Island. In 1926, the present Gull Harbour Lighthouse was constructed; the original one was built in 1898...More
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Icefields Parkway (Highway 93)
Banff to Jasper, AB
Street
The natural, pristine beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks with excellent public access along the Icefields Parkway is world-renowned. Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Maligne Lake, Banff and Jasper townsites, are among the fabulous highlights. It is readily accessible by motorized and non-motorized methods as well as by foot. The broader community of Canadians and foreign tourists are welcome to travel the Parkway...More
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Lion's Head
Northern Bruce Peninsula, ON
Neighbourhood
Lion's Head is a village within one of the most dramatic landscape features in the province. The rugged 400-million-year-old cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment that surround this community plunge into the deep turquoise waters of Georgian Bay. This is an intriguing community that offers outdoor experiences for every enthusiast, and that is committed to maintaining a balance between development and the protection of the natural environment as part of its UNESCO World Heritage designation...More
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Assiniboine Forest
Winnipeg, MB
Public Space
It is unusual to find a forest within a city, but Winnipeg has one, specifically 700 acres of forest, marsh, and wildlife...More
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Chinatown
Ottawa, ON
Neighbourhood
Located moments from Parliament Hill and Downtown, Chinatown is a charming neighbourhood where east meets west in the heart of Canada's multicultural capital. Home to the award-winning Chinese imperial style arch. Ottawa's Chinatown welcomes visitors 365 days a year...More
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Richmond Olympic Oval
Richmond, BC
Public Space
The Richmond Oval was the venue that held the speed skating events and the official anti-doping lab during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is a 33,750-m² facility, including a 20,000 m² main floor that includes a 400 m refrigerated track. It is built on a location beside the Fraser River and is the first Olympic venue that visitors can see as they fly into Vancouver...More
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Miller Point Peace Park
Dayspring (near Bridgewater), NS
Public Space
Along the LaHave River is a beautiful park for strolling, sitting, having a picnic or walking your dog, Beautiful trees, flowers and river scenery...More
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Clare Street
Victoria, BC
Street
Clare Street is short, sweet, one block long and made up of 24 single family homes. It is located at the edge of the City of Victoria and the District of Oak Bay. It is home to seniors, families with children, home businesses, and a child care centre. It is a stone's throw from a busy main street, and a short walk to all the amenities. The original street was probably built 100 years ago, however most of the homes were built in the 40s...More
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Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
Halifax, NS
Public Space
The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market opened in August 2010 along the city's waterfront, in a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly building. It has more than 4000 square metres, almost double the size of its previous location. In addition to the spacious vendor areas and storefronts, the Market boasts harbour views, a rooftop garden, a “living wall” (a wall of plantlife for air filtration), wind turbines, and outdoor meeting and shopping areas...More
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City of Fernie
Fernie, BC
Neighbourhood
Fernie was incorporated in 1904 and now has a population of over four thousand residents. The municipality of Fernie covers a smaller footprint than the social and economic community of Fernie, as many would consider West Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort and other outlying rural areas as part of our community...More
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The Lunenburg Heritage Society Bandstand
Lunenburg, NS
Public Space
The Lunenburg Heritage Society Bandstand sits in the centre of the Town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The current bandstand is an exact replica of the original built in 1889 and was rebuilt in 1987 by the Lunenburg Heritage Society. It is located at the junction of Cumberland and King Streets – next to the Town Hall. The great wooden structure was re-created with great attention to detail and is a favorite of townspeople and visitors to the town...More
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Victoria Park Neighbourhood
Kitchener, ON
Neighbourhood
The Victoria Park neighbourhood is bounded by Queen, Joseph, and Victoria Streets, as well as Highland Road and West Avenue in Kitchener, Ontario. It includes hundreds of homes as well as Victoria Park. The first home was built in 1816 and is now the Joseph Schneider House Museum and Gallery — a National Historic Site and Kitchener’s oldest building...More
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Samson Trail
New Glasgow, NS
Public Space
The Samson Trail, located along the banks of the picturesque East River, is a 4 km groomed trail built along the bed of Canada's first iron railroad. The trail is lined with Victorian style lampposts providing visitors and residents alike with a scenic vista that offers the freshness of nature's blooms in spring, spectacular sunsets in summer, a tapestry of color in autumn, and a serene winter beauty. A walk along the Samson Trail is sure to nourish your spirit, no matter what the season...More
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Powell River's Historic Townsite
Powell River, BC
Neighbourhood
"This is the coastal town that they forgot to close down," goes the lyric from 'Everyday Is Like Sunday,' one of Morrissey's early great hits. It's also the theme song for Powell River community radio host Bad Karen's Friday night show of the same name...More
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Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden
St. John's, NL
Public Space
Established in 1971, the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden is located at 306 Mount Scio Road, situated on the north side of St. John’s. The Garden encompasses 110 acres, mostly a managed and interpreted nature reserve featuring a large natural pond, fens, streams, mature boreal forest, and an old forest-fire regeneration area. The Garden also has 5 acres of cultivated gardens including heritage gardens, wildlife friendly gardens, shade gardens, medicinal gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, vegetable gardens, and alpine house. The Garden’s field centre features indoor interpretive displays about various aspects of gardening and natural history as well as hosting a variety of art shows featuring local artists’ images of nature. Their gift shop and café will complete any visit to this great place...More
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Town of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan
Gravelbourg, SK
Neighbourhood
The Town of Gravelbourg in Saskatchewan is “a Touch of Europe on the Prairies.” Gravelbourg is unique and in a rural central area. For its population of 1,300 people, it offers many amenities. The uniqueness of this town is summarized in its four pillars: Culture; Heritage; Architecture; and Spirituality...More
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Woodfield
London, Ontario
Neighbourhood
Woodfield is a Victorian neighbourhood located in the heart of London, Ontario. This historic community is bordered by Richmond, Dundas, Adelaide, and the CPR tracks to the north. Woodfield's roughly 1,400 households fall mostly within two Heritage Districts (East and West Woodfield). Homes in Woodfield date from the 1840s, with most homes built between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Woodfield is one of the largest and finest examples of intact Victorian streetscapes in Canada...More
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Rainbow Stage Theatre in Kildonan Park
Winnipeg, MB
Public Space
Rainbow Stage is an outdoor theatre situated in the heart of Kildonan Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theatre has been around since 1953, making it the oldest of its kind in Canada. It seats over 2,000 patrons who are protected from the elements by a large triodetic dome that covers the seating area. In 2011, a mural was designed and painted along the building’s exterior to provide the venue with a fresh new look. The finished product was spectacular and received raved reviews from its visitors.Rainbow Stage Theatre is used primarily to provide Winnipeg with professional musical theatre productions during the summer. It is also used for a number of other community-related events during the year, which typically focus on the arts and culture...More
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Parkdale
Toronto, ON
Neighbourhood
Parkdale is located in the southwest of downtown Toronto. It's a residential and commercial neighbourhood adjacent to the Roncesvalles and High Park neighbourhoods, and it includes the historic Sunnyside waterfront park. Currently home to about 50,000 people, Parkdale was founded as an independent settlement in 1850, eventually joining Toronto in 1889...More
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Marysville
Fredericton, NB
Neighbourhood
Marysville was a planned community developed at the height of the industrial revolution when it was becoming not only fashionable to provide industrial workers with better living accommodations, but also proven to be more economically efficient and profitable. Industrialists were finally realizing that providing workers with better housing resulted in more productivity from them. Alexander “Boss” Gibson planned the community so that his mansion was the epicentre of the community and was located on the west side of the Nashwaak River overlooking the cotton mill on the east side of the river. The cotton mill workers all lived in 58 duplex brick tenements beside the cotton mill. There were a number of local names to describe certain areas of the community like Brick Hill, Mud Alley, Punkin Centre, Front Row, etc. The managers, including Gibson, lived on the west side of the Nashwaak in a long row of houses locally known as Nob Hill...More
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Millennium Park
Creston, BC
Public Space
Discover a pocket of paradise in the heart of the Kootenays in a town called Creston. Creston is in fact a natural paradise with a unique climate of its own. A place where the climate is mild, the views are stunning, and quality of life is the best. Creston’s outdoor Millennium Park opened in 2004, thanks to amazing efforts by the Creston Valley Rotary Club, Creston Valley citizens, service groups, and businesses. It is located on 16th Avenue South, at Dogwood Street, on land that was donated to the Town by Crestbrook Forest Industries. The park features unique landscape elements and a variety of ornamental trees. The locally designed and constructed Japanese-style garden was a generous gift from Creston’s sister city of Kaminoho, Japan...More
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Cathedral Grove
Near Port Alberni, BC
Public Space
Cathedral Grove is an interpretive forest located close to Port Alberni that shows the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. The story goes that while logging the area BC fallers came upon Cathedral Grove and because of the enormity of the trees, refused to fall them. It features some of the biggest trees in Canada, and is open to visitors 24/7. Parks Canada, as well as numerous community groups, help with maintenance and informative tours of Cathedral Grove. It’s a very big tourist draw, which helps the surrounding communitie...More
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Bois-des-Esprits
Winnipeg, MB
Public Space
This is an 80-acre outdoor space that incorporates river bottom, marshland, tall grass prairie, and forest. Wildlife including deer, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and birds live in this area. The Save our Seine organization lobbied hard in 2003 to keep this area as a natural habitat and was ultimately successful. Local wood carvers have carved dead trees throughout the space into representations of people and animals...More
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Queen Street
Fredericton, NB
Street
Queen Street has been Fredericton’s main East-West street since the city of Fredericton was founded in 1783. After the first buildings were erected along the Saint John River—namely those forming the Military Compound such as the officers’ quarters, barracks, guard house, and training grounds—a street was traced running parallel to the river behind the compound that joined these buildings and spaces with each other. On the other side of the street, houses and shops were built, creating a continuous row of two- to three-storey buildings establishing the beginnings of the economic life of the town. This was Queen Street...More
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Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
Street
Sussex Drive is located in the oldest part of downtown Ottawa. It is approximately 3 kilometres long. It was built in the late 1820s during the time when Colonel By was building the Rideau Canal between Kingston and Ottawa. Starting at Rideau Street, it runs straight in a northwest direction through two grid-like City districts – the ByWard Market and Lowertown. About halfway, it bends in a northeast direction to follow the shores of the Ottawa River, defined by the steep slopes of the Bonnechère Escarpment, the same ragged slopes that form a backdrop to Parliament Hill. At this point, Sussex Drive becomes an institutional sector featuring large and medium-sized buildings in a campus-like setting of trees and open spaces. This is also where the Rideau River empties into the Ottawa River in dramatic fashion at the Rideau Falls. Further along, Sussex Drive becomes the western edge of another historic residential district, New Edinburgh, eventually ending at a newly-landscaped roundabout. This roundabout serves as the eastern gateway to Sussex Drive, in front of Rideau Hall, the home of the Governor General and 24 Sussex, the Prime Minister’s residence...More
