There is an upcoming workshop, Designing Public Spaces to Support Vibrant Communities, that will bring together local partners, elected officials, public health professionals and other community stakeholders. The workshop highlights the importance of public spaces in healthy community design.

The workshop objectives:

• To highlight the importance of public spaces in healthy community design
• To support OPPI's Call to Action - Planning for the Public Realm
• To hear about successful design strategies from local communities
• To identify both the health and economic benefits of well designed public spaces
• To facilitate a discussion how public spaces can meet the needs of our population

Keynote addresses by: Paul Young, OALA, Consultant; HC Link

Pierre Chauvin, Partner, MHBC Planning

Local Presentations include:

Planning for Wellness: How Gardens Facilitate Healing – Thomas Dean

CMHA's Owen Sound Food Forest – Teresa Pearson

Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores – Kerry Jarvis

Harrison Park, City of Owen Sound, Walking Tour – Adam Parsons

The workshop takes place Friday, September 15, 2017, 12:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Harrison Park Community Centre in Owen Sound.

The workshop, Designing Public Spaces to Support Vibrant Communities is jointly presented by the Grey County Planning Department and the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Unit