Rink of Dreams

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Rockefeller Center has a fence around theirs...meh.

The Rockefeller Center also has the "Top of the Rock" observatory deck, art, music, a lego store, cafes, shops and lots of business nearby.

[Kitchissippi]

We have city council, a.k.a. "Cirque de la ville", next to ours.

[AuxTown]

I think it looks pretty sweet! It's gonna be packed on those days that the canal isn't able to open due to ice conditions. This weekend will probably be mayhem.

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

The Rockefeller Center also has the "Top of the Rock" observatory deck, art, music, a lego store, cafes, shops and lots of business nearby.

Yes, I think we're all aware of that. I was just pointing out that a fence around the rink doesn't mean automatic urban space failure. Next.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Yes, I think we're all aware of that. I was just pointing out that a fence around the rink doesn't mean automatic urban space failure. Next.

True, but the Rink of Dreams is hardly an urban public space achievement. If the city was smart and imaginative (HA!), they would/could turn the Rink of Dreams, City Hall, and Cofnederation Park into a rather nice urban space with events, shops and attractions.

[reidjr]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

True, but the Rink of Dreams is hardly an urban public space achievement. If the city was smart and imaginative (HA!), they would/could turn the Rink of Dreams, City Hall, and Cofnederation Park into a rather nice urban space with events, shops and attractions.

It would not take much just look at the Misssissuaga town square its very basic but its nice and fits the need of the citizens.

[Dado]

Since the Rink of Dreams is hardly located in an already successful urban space, it really doesn't need additional impediments placed on it. From what I can tell though, the fence is removable to allow it to be used for other things in the rest of the year (presumably with dropped curb and all), so my point still remains: someone with a "fence it in" mentality decided that the rink - and only when used as a rink - needed fencing in.

If they really believe some kind of fencing is needed to prevent people from mindlessly wandering onto the ice (and what other reason could there be?), at least be a little creative about it: they could have ringed it with benches set back a couple of feet and achieved the same results.

[amanfromnowhere]

by southfacing on Flickr:

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Dado

Since the Rink of Dreams is hardly located in an already successful urban space, it really doesn't need additional impediments placed on it. From what I can tell though, the fence is removable to allow it to be used for other things in the rest of the year (presumably with dropped curb and all), so my point still remains: someone with a "fence it in" mentality decided that the rink - and only when used as a rink - needed fencing in.

If they really believe some kind of fencing is needed to prevent people from mindlessly wandering onto the ice (and what other reason could there be?), at least be a little creative about it: they could have ringed it with benches set back a couple of feet and achieved the same results.

Impediments? Have you ever been to the small yet enjoyable marvel that is Bryant Park in New York? Nevermind the Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park is a fantastic, compact, and efficient urban space.

[waterloowarrior]

Originally Posted by Dado

Since the Rink of Dreams is hardly located in an already successful urban space, it really doesn't need additional impediments placed on it. From what I can tell though, the fence is removable to allow it to be used for other things in the rest of the year (presumably with dropped curb and all), so my point still remains: someone with a "fence it in" mentality decided that the rink - and only when used as a rink - needed fencing in.

If they really believe some kind of fencing is needed to prevent people from mindlessly wandering onto the ice (and what other reason could there be?), at least be a little creative about it: they could have ringed it with benches set back a couple of feet and achieved the same results.

Maybe the Sens wanted it to have a resemblance to an outdoor hockey rink? But as J-P mentioned, Bryant Park has see through boards as well

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Impediments? Have you ever been to the small yet enjoyable marvel that is Bryant Park in New York? Nevermind the Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park is a fantastic, compact, and efficient urban space.

It's an additional barrier to movement and interaction, just like all those annoying fences that restaurants have to put around their patios if they want to serve alcohol.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Dado

It's an additional barrier to movement and interaction, just like all those annoying fences that restaurants have to put around their patios if they want to serve alcohol.

I've yet to hear any complaints about outdoor patios unless loud drunks are involved. It's such a minor issue that in most places it ISN'T an issue. Also, the rails can be useful and often aren't an impediment to interaction. Some German tourists called me over from across the skating barrier in Bryant Park to take a picture of them. It wasn't any kind of problem. I also saw skating rookies using it as a support and for balancing purposes. You really are making a big deal out of nothing.

[waterloowarrior]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

I've yet to hear any complaints about outdoor patios unless loud drunks are involved. It's such a minor issue that in most places it ISN'T an issue. Also, the rails can be useful and often aren't an impediment to interaction. Some German tourists called me over from across the skating barrier in Bryant Park to take a picture of them. It wasn't any kind of problem. I also saw skating rookies using it as a support and for balancing purposes. You really are making a big deal out of nothing.

I think Dado does have a point... the practice in Ontario is to have these rinks as part of an urban civic square with little to no barriers:

Toronto



Mississauga



Waterloo


Kitchener (one side with a hand railing)


Guelph



North York


Kingston


The lighting on the rink of dreams boards does look very cool though (see the video link below). I'd be interested to find out why they went with the boards.
http://en.video.canoe.tv/video/1415065106001

[eemy]

Barrie's also doesn't have boards. I don't have any pictures though.

[Richard Eade]

Why go so far afield - the rink at Ben Franklin Place has no fence AND it is owned by the City of Ottawa.

That said, barrier is also ART in that it is lit by constantly changing colour LEDs in the evening.