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Scarborough Civic Centre and Square: A space oddity

Words not usually found in the same sentence: “inspiring public space” and “Scarborough.” But right there in the wilds off condofied Brimley sits the surprise of this year’s slate of urban explorations, aka Jane’s Walks. Take our tour.

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1. High point

The space-age Raymond Moriyama Civic Centre, unveiled in 1973 and looking like something out of Kubrick’s future world, remains a timeless symbol of a burb that once had big dreams.

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2. Best view

From the orchard across the street. Carl Milles’s The Hand Of God juts out from the treetops above all else, including the condos in the backdrop.

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3. Cool distraction

The award-winning square named after first reeve Albert Campbell the waterfall (when it’s working) running from inside the Civic Centre to a wading pool in.

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4. Forgotten treasure

Scarborough RT. The elevated rapid transit line was state-of-the-art tech when it was built, but it’s fallen into disrepair – and behind the times. Could use that much-talked-about upgrade.

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5. Natural wonders

The angles of light and shadow in the open space in front of the Civic Centre in the morning sun.

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6. Big mystery

Condofication. Will cookie-cutter towers going up around the square help create the sense of place planners are praying for, or just more dog walkers?

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7. Needs rethinking

All that ugly-ass concrete masquerading as “public art.” The steel-girdered walkway that announces the square to visitors arriving from Scarborough Centre station. The entranceway could use a paint job, benches and a few giant planters, maybe.

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