Exploring shade structure options for Waterloo Public Square

As of August 2023, the construction of the new shade structures in Waterloo Public Square is complete! Thank you all for your input on this project to help make the square 'cooler'.

• Learn more about the design of the new shade structures.
• Learn more about the other improvements coming to Waterloo Public Square.

Project background:

The City of Waterloo, along with a consultant team led by SHIFT Landscape Architecture, conducted a feasibility study for the Laurel Greenway in January 2021 to explore a new shade feature/structure to Waterloo Public Square.

As part of the engagement for this project, many excellent ideas and opinions were collected from the community through comments and survey responses. Some of the highlights of that input included:

• a preference for smaller-sized shade elements throughout the square
• a multi-season feature that supports the current uses of the square
• desire for integrating natural materials
• inclusion of trees and planting as a source of natural shade and to break up the extent of the concrete area

From there, SHIFT worked with a local architect team, Whitefish Architecture, to develop a conceptual shade structure design suitable for the public square space.