The City of Richmond Hill formally broke ground this week on Dave Barrow Civic Square, a multi-season public space being built beside the city’s Central Library at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West.
Design aims to create a year-round gathering place
Council, staff and project designers described the square as a new destination park intended to host community celebrations, performances and everyday activity across all seasons. The plan, produced by JRS, centres on a terraced amphitheatre known as the Richmond Hill Bowl and a permanent Bowl Stage for concerts and community programming.
Other programmed elements include a seasonal skating rink that will be transformed into an events lawn during spring through fall, an events plaza and terrace for gatherings, and a network of natural areas designed to connect residents to green space.
- Performance and events: Richmond Hill Bowl and Bowl Stage, events plaza and terrace
- Seasonal amenities: skating rink converting to an events lawn
- Natural features: woodlands, pollinator meadow, natural grass meadow, marsh and new trails
- Learning: a teaching garden for outdoor education
Officials said the square will also function as a gateway to Richmond Hill’s historic Village area and will retain existing commemorative elements dedicated to Dave Barrow, including a memorial bench and his sandblasted maxim, “It’s all about community.”
“Dave Barrow Civic Square will be a place where our community comes together, where neighbours become friends and where pride in Richmond Hill comes to life,” Mayor David West said.
The civic square was first dedicated in September 2022 and the detailed park plan was approved by Richmond Hill Council on March 26, 2025. City leaders stressed that the design reflects input gathered from residents during the planning process.
Green spaces, trails and learning opportunities
Natural areas are a prominent component of the design. The project includes a combination of planted woodlands, a pollinator meadow, a natural grass meadow and a marsh, all to be linked by new trails. A dedicated teaching garden is planned to support outdoor learning for local schools and community groups.
Those elements echo broader municipal priorities to expand accessible green space and biodiversity within urban areas of York Region. City officials said the mix of hard-surface plazas and softer ecological features is intended to support both programmed events and quieter, everyday uses.
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Richmond Hill Bowl & Bowl Stage | Outdoor performances and community events |
| Seasonal skating rink | Winter recreation; converted to events lawn in warmer months |
| Pollinator meadow & marsh | Enhance biodiversity and natural habitat |
| Teaching garden | Outdoor education and community programming |
Dave Barrow, who served the municipality for more than 30 years, including as mayor from 2006 to 2021, is commemorated on-site. Mayor West and council framed the project as a living tribute that aligns with Barrow’s long-standing emphasis on community-building.
Construction has moved forward after the plan’s council approval in 2025. City staff have said previously that the site’s proximity to the Central Library and high pedestrian activity at the corner makes it one of Richmond Hill’s busier public intersections, further underscoring expectations that the square will be heavily used both for scheduled events and everyday visits.
As construction proceeds, municipal officials plan to continue sharing timelines and programming details with the public. For residents, the new civic square promises an expanded public realm close to the downtown core and the library that aims to serve arts, education, recreation and conservation goals in a single, year-round destination.
