Construction begins on a new year-round gathering place beside the Central Library

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill is proud to break ground on Dave Barrow Civic Square, a new destination park and central gathering place at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West. Richmond Hill Council broke ground today at the location of the park, with members of former Mayor Dave Barrow’s family in attendance. 

Dave Barrow Civic Square will become the City's sixth destination park and a signature public space designed to bring the community together year-round. Located on green space beside the Richmond Hill Public Library's Central Branch, the square will host community events, celebrations, and everyday gatherings, and will serve as a gateway to Richmond Hill's historic Village area. 

Once complete, Dave Barrow Civic Square will feature a range of spaces and amenities for residents to enjoy in every season, including:

• The Richmond Hill Bowl and Bowl Stage, an outdoor amphitheatre and permanent stage for concerts, movies and community performances
• Richmond Hill illuminated letters, a signature sign with programmable lighting to celebrate civic events and community occasions
• A seasonal skating rink in the winter months that converts to an events lawn for spring, summer and fall programming
• An events plaza and terrace for gatherings, activities and everyday enjoyment
• Natural spaces including woodlands, a pollinator meadow, a natural grass meadow and a marsh, connected by a network of new trails
• A teaching garden for outdoor learning 

The park also preserves the existing memorial bench and Dave Barrow's sandblasted quote, "It's all about community," honouring the former Mayor's decades of service. 

Dave Barrow served Richmond Hill for more than 30 years, including as Mayor from 2006 to 2021. Construction of Dave Barrow Civic Square is expected to begin this fall. 

For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/ParksProjects. 

Quick Facts

• Construction of Dave Barrow Civic Square is expected to take place from summer 2026 until the end of 2027.
• Dave Barrow Civic Square was first dedicated in September 2022.
• The Dave Barrow Civic Square Park Plan was developed with input from the community and approved by Council on March 26, 2025.  

Quotes

"Dave Barrow Civic Square will be a place where our community comes together, where neighbours become friends and where pride in Richmond Hill comes to life. This is already one of our busiest corners, next to our Central Library, and soon it will be a true gathering place for residents to celebrate and connect in every season. I can't think of a more fitting way to honour Dave Barrow and the words most closely associated with his decades of service: ‘It’s all about community.’”  

- Mayor David West