'A park to dazzle': 3 themes emerge for future of Newmarket's Mulock Farm

Residents can comment on energized, expressive and peaceful concepts

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 30, 2020
Lisa Queen

As the redevelopment of the historic Mulock Farm hits a new milestone this week, resident Darryl Gray is looking forward to considering three themes emerging as guideposts for the property.

“I think they reflect what’s possible here,” said the father of sons Nathan, 11 and Ben, 13, who’s been participating in public consultations shaping the site on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Mulock Drive.

Over the past year, based on the feedback of thousands of residents, five guiding principles are in place -- making the property a destination place, keeping it natural, rooting the site in history while also looking forward, creating inclusive and accessible spaces and connecting it to the town.

Beginning this week, residents are invited to comment on three themes.

The concepts are a leap from the guiding principles to the beginnings of specific elements possible on the site, consultant Lisa Rapoport, of PLANT Architect Inc., said.

“People expressed a desire for a park to dazzle, while also being as quiet as possible on the land and the three concepts -- energetic, expressive and peaceful -- express this range of desires, each with a different character and feel,” she said.

The three themes are:

Energized: Village Green is full of excitement and activity, offering opportunities for the community to gather and enjoy food among the beautiful landscape. Residents can explore natural play zones, run or skate on the trail, do yoga, cool off in an interactive water feature or warm up by a fire pit. Seasonal and changing art will bring the community together at key points throughout the year.

Expressive: Culture Hub is a place to be creative and get inspired, where visitors can take in a performance on the great lawn or take long walks through art installations. A water feature, fire pits and other amenities will be infused with artistic flair.

Peaceful: The Arboretum is a relaxing space to recharge in a natural, biodiverse and forested setting. It offers walking and skating trails that meander through woods and diverse gardens, including a medicine garden. There are also opportunities to visit a cafe, get warm by a fire pit, enjoy a water feature and visit a conservatory, while being immersed in nature.

Mayor John Taylor said the final master-plan will likely be an amalgamation of all three themes.

“Our goal isn’t to have people say ‘Door number one, door number two or door number three’,” he said.

“I think one (theme) might emerge as the lead model but we will integrate a couple of things from the others, and even maybe something new, that is public-driven.”

Gray is excited to help shape the vision for the landmark property.

“I think it means a significant opportunity for us to create connections among one another as a community and a place to come together to share in experiences. It also means the preservation of our shared history,” he said.

“The town has done such a great job in animating spaces throughout the community. It’s hard to imagine a world without Riverwalk Commons and Main Street as it is. I know that years from now, we’ll feel the same way about this property.”

While COVID-19 has constrained government purse strings, Gray believes proceeding with the project is important.

“As the pandemic drags on, the great fear is that people become more and more isolated. I think there’s a hunger for being part of the community. This is ever more relevant as this drags on,” he said.

“From a community perspective, I think it will be worth the money.”

Council will consider the financial and timing prudence of the project through budget deliberations and a long-term financial strategy this fall, Taylor said.

At the same time, he believes residents support the “legacy” project.

“I think we’re doing something very important here. It’s a big investment but I think it’s a smart investment. I think it will stand the test of time that people will really connect to as a community,” he said.

Residents can learn more about the three concepts three ways:

Watch a presentation to the committee of the whole meeting Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. at newmarket.ca/meetings.

On Sept. 30 at 8 p.m., visit the town’s Facebook Live Mulock reveal at

facebook.com/events/393765001617717/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22invite_link_id%5C%22%3A5093500817342030%7D%7D%5D%22%7D

Go to newmarket.ca/myMulock to complete a survey by Oct. 12.