The City of London, Ontario, has been revitalizing the downtown core for a number of years. Part of this revitalization included the renovation of a vacant department store into the city's new Central Library. With the acquisition of the building, the city also acquired an 18,000-square-foot parking lot. Through a series of public consultation meetings conducted by the Library Board, it became apparent that there was a strong desire to see the parking lot converted into a public garden.
Working with a Garden Steering Committee, the design team prepared a series of guiding principles. These principles included the creation of a space that would emphasize the library's goal of being a place of discovery for all ages, showcase the diverse plants of the Carolinian forest in an urban setting, and provide a variety of large and small outdoor spaces for community events, reading, and relaxation.
