Community-Led Placemaking Program
Overview
The Community-Led Placemaking Program supports the creation of public spaces that benefit communities and invite everyone to participate—from ideas, to creation, and activation. This program helps communities undertake lighter, quicker, cheaper tactical placemaking projects that support economic recovery, create places for people to gather, create opportunities for inclusive community involvement, and incite increased visitation to the community.
Projects are selected based on their ability to meet these outcomes, with proposals accepted from local governments, non-profit organizations, business improvement districts, First Nation Bands, municipalities, and more.
To date, the following communities have participated in the Community-Led Placemaking Program:
Amherst
A portable park, bringing seating, greenery, and activations throughout the town.
Bridgewater
Reimagining of a vacant lot on Main Street and a downtown park into vibrant public gathering spaces.
Dartmouth
Turned an unused, empty plaza in downtown Dartmouth into a gathering space at the crossroads of the community.
East Preston
A portable park, bringing seating, greenery, and activations throughout the town.gathering, activations, and programming.
Glace Bay
Transform Town Square and Renwick Brook through outdoor furniture, a mobile seacan stage, and vibrant local artwork—complete with works from local children.
Guysborough
New waterfront kiosks and an outdoor seating area to facilitate pop-up food vendors and public events.
Halifax (Downtown)
Updating seating and gathering options in Halifax’s historic Granville Mall.
Halifax (North End)
Complete new seating options with public street furniture made in collaboration with four architectural design firms and local community groups.
Inverness
Celebrating community and building local pride of place through interactive signage.
Iona
Updating seating and enhancing the Iona Port and beach to create an accessible hub for locals and visitors.
Kentville
Public art, hand-painted planters, lighting, and improved pedestrian amenities in Centre Square, along with regular programming and activation.
New Glasgow
Gathering space in a pedestrian-centric street alongside a town landmark.
Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation
Expanding and enhancing gathering spaces in the Bayside Travel Centre—a key gathering place for the Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation and welcoming hub for visitors.
Pugwash
Turning open space near farmers’ market into a versatile public gathering space with green space, playgrounds, and more.
Shelburne
Improving the facilities of the Shelburne Guild Hall Market, a local gathering hub, to increase visitation and offerings.
St. Peter’s
Transforming a vacant lot in the downtown area into a hub of activity to create a space for local economy and community to thrive.
Sydney
Deployment and activation of pocket patios throughout Charlotte Street to create attractive, inclusive, and accessible spaces.
Truro-Colchester
Extending the offerings of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre into the town with a mobile entertainment trailer to bring new activations to rural communities throughout the county.