Downtown Revitalization Update & Global Placemaking Summit Reflection

Hi everyone!

It’s Shelby, the Downtown Revitalization Coordinator with the Fenelon Falls Chamber of Commerce. You might remember me from the Discover Downtown Fenelon Falls community meeting back in March at the Senior’s Centre.

I wanted to share a quick update on the downtown revitalization project that is currently underway. The Downtown Revitalization Committee wrapped up data collection after the community meeting. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the surveys! Your feedback has been instrumental in shaping the next steps of the project.

Using that feedback, the Committee has developed an action plan that outlines goals and activities to support our downtown over the coming years. Stay tuned, more details will be shared soon!

I also wanted to share a few highlights from the Global Placemaking Summit I recently attended in Toronto. One key takeaway I found was how public spaces can do more than simply exist, they can serve a bigger community purpose. Placemaking is all about designing spaces that are rooted in the community. It’s not just what a space looks like, but how it makes people feel. Is it accessible, comfortable and inviting? Does it reflect and serve the community that it’s in?

The event was held at Evergreen Brick Works, a former industrial site turned into a dynamic public space. It now serves as a cultural hub, event venue, community space, and is a fantastic example of placemaking. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend visiting!

Most importantly, the Global Placemaking Summit reminded me that  community efforts thrive when people come together around a shared vision. With passion and teamwork, we can transform challenges into meaningful change, and create spaces where people don’t just live, but choose to belong.

Thanks for reading my article. You can always reach me at opportunities@explorefenelonfalls.com. Take care!