THE EVENT
Credit: Martine Bresson
The Shoreline Shuffle was designed to create awareness about the need for better public spaces and planning on our waterfront. Mass Swims had drawn attention to the need to improve specific waterfront locations, but we felt it was time to focus on the shoreline as a whole. Kingston has more than 220k of shoreline within its municipal boundaries but we have never had a comprehensive waterfront plan, resulting in the jumbled and often dilapidated waterfront that we have today. We have some beautiful spots, but much of our shoreline has fallen into disrepair and many public spaces have been fenced off entirely. Click here for a few photos of the event.
The Shuffle brought together hundreds of walkers, cyclists and paddlers over a 7.7km stretch of downtown Kingston, from Douglas Fluhrer Park to Lake Ontario Park (see map below). Many participants had never gone end to end before, so it was a chance to see things first hand. It was also a great way to build a waterfront coalition, as the planning of the event brought together some 25 different organizations.
The art installations gave the day real appeal, with 15 temporary 'word art' installations along the route. Each word or phrase was chosen to be relevant to the need of its immediate surroundings and intended to draw reference to place, community desire, and the need for change along Kingston’s waterfront. A misty morning gave the water and art work a magical feel, then the sun came out to give us a perfect summer day.
An opening water ceremony by a local Mohawk traditionalist, Laurel Claus-Johnson, paid homage to the long history of indigenous settlement and history along the shoreline. There was also a poem written for the event by Kingston's poet laureate , about Molly Brandt, an important aboriginal figure in Kingston's history.
Our hope was that the large turnout at the Shuffle would push Kingston city council to take seriously the need for a long-term waterfront plan - one that involves a variety of citizen groups and different levels of government. We need a diverse and intriguing waterfront that respects different interests. We were successful in this regard and a new planning process is now in place!
Stay tuned for updates....
The Shuffle brought together hundreds of walkers, cyclists and paddlers over a 7.7km stretch of downtown Kingston, from Douglas Fluhrer Park to Lake Ontario Park (see map below). Many participants had never gone end to end before, so it was a chance to see things first hand. It was also a great way to build a waterfront coalition, as the planning of the event brought together some 25 different organizations.
The art installations gave the day real appeal, with 15 temporary 'word art' installations along the route. Each word or phrase was chosen to be relevant to the need of its immediate surroundings and intended to draw reference to place, community desire, and the need for change along Kingston’s waterfront. A misty morning gave the water and art work a magical feel, then the sun came out to give us a perfect summer day.
An opening water ceremony by a local Mohawk traditionalist, Laurel Claus-Johnson, paid homage to the long history of indigenous settlement and history along the shoreline. There was also a poem written for the event by Kingston's poet laureate , about Molly Brandt, an important aboriginal figure in Kingston's history.
Our hope was that the large turnout at the Shuffle would push Kingston city council to take seriously the need for a long-term waterfront plan - one that involves a variety of citizen groups and different levels of government. We need a diverse and intriguing waterfront that respects different interests. We were successful in this regard and a new planning process is now in place!
Stay tuned for updates....