Rotary Frenchman's Bay Park West, Pickering — SpruceLab

Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park and Beachfront Park, Pickering, ON

SpruceLab is working with The MBTW Group on the City of Rotary Frenchman’s Bay Park West and Beachfront Park to include Indigenous design elements. The parks are on Lake Ontario near an ecologically significant marsh wetland. The revitalization of the parks will address the impact of major storms and high-water levels, while providing public realm access to the water. SpruceLab worked alongside Dbaajmowin, the Indigenous-led artists’ collective we initiated, to design and fabricate a large stainless steel public art sculpture for the site called Nbi Ayaa Mshkiki - “Water is Medicine” - Anishinaabemowin. (For more information see the City of Pickering’s website here, and a video taken of the newly installed sculpture on Nov. 3, 2023, here. The sculpture was fabricated by Jacques Baril, his assistant Tanya, and Karl Chevrier).

SpruceLab is also leading First Nations consultation and Indigenous engagement for these two parks. Anticipated Indigenous placekeeping design ideas to be explored with Williams Treaties First Nations include creating meaningful cultural spaces (for community gatherings, cultural practices and ceremony, including fire), custom site furnishings, tree plantings and gardens, locations for public art, and interpretive, storytelling signage. Local Indigenous engagement will also be critical, to help move this work forward in a way that supports the needs and interests of those living in the area.