After months of collaboration between the Wheatley Task Force, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, and community members, an Urban Visioning Concept Plan has been developed.
You can find the full details on the Let’s Talk CK Wheatley Updates page, which can be found here:
Sharing your feedback on this concept is very important – it will help shape the future of Wheatley’s community! Members of the Wheatley Horticultural Society spoke with the FOTENN design team at the Wheatley Waves Forward Community Event to learn that there is a choice of one of two plans; the second design includes a structure for housing the scrubber long term. The elements of the two plans are designed to be interchangeable – components of one design can be replaced with those from the other design to accommodate community feedback on the preferred elements. We encourage you to look at all elements of the plans! We have zoomed in on the designs, taking screenshots and resharing FOTENN’s explanation of the visions for the reimagination of Wheatley’s main core. Check out the overviews and comparables below:
Once you’ve spent some time thinking about the concepts, make sure to fill out the survey. It will be open until June 22nd.
Mail Chimp Survey – https://us21.list-manage.com/survey?u=35d40a3232eee8b12b8b9af53&id=470e3825a9&attribution=false
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM WHEATLY UPDATES PAGE: All designs, plans, views, structures, and materials shown are conceptual. While these efforts are based on extensive community input and collaboration with the Wheatley Task Force, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, and other partners, further refinement, detailing, and formal approvals are still required before any construction can begin.
Design 1 – Fotenn’s Summary
While both options are equally informed by the extensive community feedback gathered by the Wheatley Task Force, and our firsthand interactions with the community, Design 1 asked the question, “What would a park that could only BE in Wheatley, FROM Wheatly, OF Wheatley look like? What would happen if we turned “The Wheatley” up to 11?” Inspired by the local fishing and boat building industry, the love of music and performance, the ingenuity and the friendly welcoming nature of the community, Design 1 is an exercise in bringing these attributes and qualities into physical forms. In response to the ongoing efforts by T.L. Watson and Associates, Design 1 assumes no long-term structure in necessary on the grounds.
Design 2 – Fotenn’s Summary
While both options are equally informed by the extensive community feedback gathered by the Wheatley Task Force, and our firsthand interactions with the community, Design 2 explores the cycle of give and take between the land, water and the long standing traditions of the Wheatley community. The design utilizes “inland habitats” which feed into the main “river” of circulation leading to the “open water” of the main intersection of the town. In response to the ongoing efforts by T.L. Watson and Associates, Design 2 assumes that a long-term structure is necessary on the grounds.
Comparible Elements
Entrance from Talbot/Erie and Main Plaza Area
Design 1 has an open central plaza with clear lines of site to the main intersection. Design 2 has a “river like” plaza with a promenade style. Both are capable of holding 20 farmers market stalls and could feature at grade jets for summer fun and cooling.
Design 1 – Arieal view of entrance from Erie & Talbot (1), main plaza (2) and at grade jets (4).
Design 1 – View from corner of Erie & Talbot
Design 2 – Aerial view of entrance from Erie & Talbot (1), “river-like” promenade plaza (2) and at grade water feature (4).
Design 2 – View from Erie & Talbot
Post Office Garden – We often run into community members at the Post Office and Fotenn’s designs both reflect this and feature a Post Office Garden. Design 1 is slightly more open to Talbot Trail, but has less seating than Design 2. Both have the porch swing seating, and Design 2 also includes benches. Design 1 is backed by a Miyawaki forest while Design 2 repeats its native meadow bioswale avian insectivore habitat throughout.
Design 1 – Aerial View – Post office porch swings (5), Miyawaki forest (6), Boardwalk to Main Plaza (7), Entrance from Talbot (8)
Design 1 – These porch swings are featured in both designs, but this configuration is from Option 1.
Design 2 – Aerial View of Post Office Garden, which includes more seating than in Design 1 (5), Entrance from Talbot (6), and Hillside Platforms (8). These platforms face the Ivan Coulter Memorial Gathering Space.
Ivan Coulter Memorial Gathering Space/Stages– Both spaces provide a new home for performance arts in downtown Wheatley. In Design 1, the space is slightly smaller, with an additional stage set further back in a quieter area that may be used for unplugged music, yoga classes etc. In Design 2, the space is larger and is backed by a public or memorial art instalation. The area also includes a permanent structure which includes public washrooms.
Design 1 – Aerial view of Ivan Coulter Memorial Gathering Space (13), Peaceful Place (14), which is a quieter gathering spot, and Rock Garden (15).
Design 1 – View from Rock Garden, across Ivan Coulter Stage, to Erie St.
Design 2 -Ivan Coulter Memorial Stage (10) and Gathering Space (7), featuring public/memorial art (9), Hillside Platforms (8 &11), public washrooms & mechanical building (12) with habitat features (13).
Design 2 – Aerial view of Ivan Coulter Memorial Gathering Area and “river-like” plaza, looking towards Talbot.
Design 2 – View from Erie St to Ivan Coulter Memorial Gathering Space
Unique Features– Design 1 – “The Boat” – this photogenic feature can act as a meeting place, stage, place to highlight the fishing and boat building industry and more.
Unique Features – Design 2 – “The Net” Floating hammock garden
Unique Features– Design 2 – Mountain/Highlands platform (16) with goat paths (15)
All of these options are a lot to consider! Remember that the choice does not have to be between one or the other – it is possible to incorporate preferred elements from both plans to create a unique space. Spend some time considering these plans and respond to the survey, sharing your favourite and least favourite elements. We touched on only a few core features, however, please share your input on all elements of the plan, including boardwalks, paving surfaces, outdoor furniture, etc. The survey will be open until June 22nd.
Mail Chimp Survey – https://us21.list-manage.com/survey?u=35d40a3232eee8b12b8b9af53&id=470e3825a9&attribution=false
