Civic commons: A Network of Public Spaces for Community Growth

Civic commons are a network of public places and facilities that enable communities to learn, celebrate, express collective actions, collaborate, and flourish together. These spaces include libraries, parks, community centers, squares, and more. They play a vital role in fostering connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within communities.

Source: Evergreen https://www.evergreen.ca/blog/entry/civic-commons-convening-residents-to-create-flourishing-cities

Aerial view of a neighborhood with a map overlay showing construction phases for building and activating the Marygrove Civic Commons, including a green park, blue extension area, red restricted zone, and existing streets.

The Marygrove Civic Commons is not just a collection of empty parcels of land; it is a vibrant tapestry woven with memories of a community's past and the promise of a brighter future. Once bustling with houses that provided shelter and a sense of belonging, these gardens now stand as a testament to the resilience of the Marygrove neighborhood. They hold the echoes of children's laughter and the stories of lifelong friendships forged on these very grounds.

Though the absence of houses and people is deeply felt, it is in this void that the Marygrove Civic Commons finds its purpose. It symbolizes the Marygrove Community Association's unwavering dedication to revitalizing and reuniting our community. Through carefully cultivating these lands, we are sowing the seeds of hope and nurturing the growth of a thriving neighborhood once again.

Each garden within the Marygrove Civic Commons represents an opportunity for us to come together, heal, and create new memories that will be passed down through generations. It is a living testament to the power of community and a reminder that our bonds can remain unbreakable even in the face of adversity.

Let us embrace this chance to regrow and rebuild, hand in hand, ensuring that the Marygrove Civic Commons becomes a beacon of unity and strength for all who call this community home.

The Marygrove Civic Commons includes five green infrastructure investments:

A detailed layout plan of Marygrove Civic Commons showing proposed improvements, including new fencing, planters for community art projects, native gardens, a meadow, a multipurpose field, parks, arboretum, and various themed areas for community engagement.
Collage of outdoor community improvements including a gray vinyl fence, colorful murals on utility boxes and a community planter, decorative shade structures, and a decorative umbrella tree sculpture at the Marygrove Civic Commons.