What makes a small downtown "charming"? - Page 4

megadude · #61 Posted **Dec 4, 2017, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny24

Somewhat related:

I was on foot in Gore Park downtown Hamilton, which is somewhat rare since I don't tend to walk that far east from my place. But I think it would a great spot for some European style cafe-patio seating. Especially along the slice of King that's closed off to traffic. Unfortunately I don't think the right type of cafe/restaurant is there along that stretch. Bu I loved the feel of those when I was in Barcelona. In one square by a church all three restaurants on the square had all their tables grouped together and that helped create a critical mass of people that made it an attractive place to stop for a meal.

I just looked up the park and it's nice. Despite living in Burlington and Oakville for the last four years, I haven't spent much time in DT Hamilton. Plenty of time in Ancaster, Flamboro, Dundas, Binbrook and Bayfront fishing and checking out waterfalls, but not much time DT other than going to the odd concert over the years and a couple times to party in Hess Village in my younger days. Though I've been meaning to catch a game at Hortons Field. I went to Ivor Wynne twice.

I was surprised by that park being there. I'm going to have to spend some more time exploring Hamilton.

jonny24 · #62 Posted **Dec 4, 2017, 4:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadude

I just looked up the park and it's nice. Despite living in Burlington and Oakville for the last four years, I haven't spent much time in DT Hamilton. Plenty of time in Ancaster, Flamboro, Dundas, Binbrook and Bayfront fishing and checking out waterfalls, but not much time DT other than going to the odd concert over the years and a couple times to party in Hess Village in my younger days. Though I've been meaning to catch a game at Hortons Field. I went to Ivor Wynne twice.

I was surprised by that park being there. I'm going to have to spend some more time exploring Hamilton.

It's definitely coming along, even in the few years that I've been spending there- I moved to Hamilton in April after dating a girl at Mac for a couple years. I do walk downtown but usually down to James or King William for the restaurants, and any farther east than that I really only go to Tim Hortons Field so bussing or driving. Still lots of the city I've yet to explore.

Westdale has it's own "downtown" that I think fits into the "charming" category, including an entrance sign, lots of trees and flowers, and a small theatre. https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.26117...7i13312!8i6656

megadude · #63 Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 8:11 PM**

Rousseau's post on another thread reminded me of this gateway sign, in Hess Village area of Hamilton.

Why can't more neighbourhoods and downtowns have these?

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/1859846...61564/?lp=true

Klaus Lang / Getty Images

kevinbottawa · #64 Posted **Jan 21, 2018, 2:11 PM**

Hamilton is nicer than I thought. I had to work there for one day 5 years ago and saw a lot of potential in its downtown, but I didn't see Hess Village. Next time.

Pinion · #65 Posted **Jan 21, 2018, 5:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadude

Rousseau's post on another thread reminded me of this gateway sign, in Hess Village area of Hamilton.

Why can't more neighbourhoods and downtowns have these?

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/1859846...61564/?lp=true

Klaus Lang / Getty Images

An American city planner hired by my city council suggested we add one to my area (Lower Lonsdale, but he thought the sign should say "LoLo District.") It was rejected for being too cliche and tacky.

Generally in Vancouver we use flags on light poles to indicate neighbourhoods.

megadude · #66 Posted **Jan 21, 2018, 6:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinion

An American city planner hired by my city council suggested we add one to my area (Lower Lonsdale, but he thought the sign should say "LoLo District.") It was rejected for being too cliche and tacky.

Generally in Vancouver we use flags on light poles to indicate neighbourhoods.

Lol. Thank God. That would indeed be tacky.

Flags are a nice touch. In TO it's more subtle, with the names being above the street signs.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/45387908714476144/

Docere · #67 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 12:54 AM**

Sadly those "acorn" signs are being replaced.

Docere · #68 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 12:56 AM**

Maybe I missed it but what is the threshold for "small" downtown here?

megadude · #69 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 4:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docere

Maybe I missed it but what is the threshold for "small" downtown here?

Up to the reader's discretion. Originally my question was about any downtown of a non major city or town. So could be like a London. That's certainly more than one strip along Main Street but small in comparison to TO.

But then it kind of morphed into any charming neighbourhood, some of which used to be downtowns of their own town before merging.

DizzyEdge · #70 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 5:04 PM**

In a nutshell:
- high density of retail per block
- architectural & design for beauty/aesthetics rather than just functional

Andy6 · #71 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 5:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docere

Sadly those "acorn" signs are being replaced.

Yes, they have a neighbourhood capper for the new ones but it’s not charming. I noticed the area around Women’s College Hospital suddenly became “Bay-Cloverhill” one day last Spring. I’d not heard that one before.

Loco101 · #72 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 11:24 PM**

Does anyone know of a town in Canada with fewer than 2000 people that has a really nice downtown?

TownGuy · #73 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 11:32 PM**

Not sure if I'd call it "really nice" but Colborne, which is around here, has a decent downtown for it's population of 2000.

https://goo.gl/maps/6tRLnLLhEYH2

SpongeG · #74 Posted **Jan 22, 2018, 11:39 PM**

not that low. Gananoque has 4000 or so and it has a nice little downtown.

Picton is slightly more but in the 4000 - 5000 range.

JHikka · #75 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 12:04 AM**

I always think Port Hope does very well in these sorts of discussions.

Docere · #76 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 12:15 AM**

I wonder if Port Hope could ever be a "Canadian Rhinebeck" or is it too hurt by the stigma from the uranium processing plant?

megadude · #77 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 3:11 PM**

Been to Picton about 20 years ago. Don't remember anything about it. Cool marquee sign on the theatre. I'm going to have to get back to PE County and Bay of Quinte soon.

Acajack · #78 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

Does anyone know of a town in Canada with fewer than 2000 people that has a really nice downtown?

St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick? Maybe someone can post pics.

kwoldtimer · #79 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadude

Been to Picton about 20 years ago. Don't remember anything about it. Cool marquee sign on the theatre. I'm going to have to get back to PE County and Bay of Quinte soon.

It has a lot to offer. I especially like it in September, when the summer crowds have thinned out.

kwoldtimer · #80 Posted **Jan 23, 2018, 4:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

Does anyone know of a town in Canada with fewer than 2000 people that has a really nice downtown?

For a village of (just) under 2,000, St Jacobs ON, just north of Waterloo, has a pretty decent, if very touristy, downtown.