Left: The modern City Hall allowing plenty of natural light inside. Right: A boulevard of flags lining East Main Street. Photos: Tanya Woodhead and Nathan Yee, 2013.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Located right in the heart of the city Welland’s Civic Square embodies the essence of the city through the showcase of art, new and old architecture, beautiful street fronts that are all within distance of the canal. If you are looking for the perfect place to start a day in Welland, make it the Civic Square.
The Civic Square includes Welland’s City Hall, and the Public Library. Built as one complex, these two entities combine to feature the best of Welland’s heritage. Take some time to relax on the terrace, get cozy with a book from the library, or take some time to look at the tourist attraction information available in the main lobby of the City Hall.
Photo Gallery
The front view of the modern City Hall, its design allows for a great amount of natural light to shine in. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Civic Square proudly hanging its flags. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Find maps and brochures in the main lobby of the City Hall. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Preserving Welland heritage by the courthouse. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Welland Civic Square is home to the Welland Public Library. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
You may find your walk down to the aqueduct quite serene. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Community Wellness Complex Terrace is an expansive outdoor courtyard – the walkways are lined by plants and exhibit a beautiful view of the canal. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The rock wall of this aqueduct was made in 1845. It was changed from its original state to deepen the canal and reduce the number of locks needed. The history of the aqueducts is an important part of Canada's history of transporting goods worldwide. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Rose gardens along the Community Wellness Complex walkways illustrate the reasoning for The Rose City's nickname. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The city centre proudly exhibits local art and structures, the ones featured above are made from stainless steel and created by Rod Dowling. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The crystal clear water while leaving the Civic Square towards Merritt Island. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Welland is proud to be a part of Canadian heritage. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The sun lighting up the path to Civic Square. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The front view of the modern City Hall, its design allows for a great amount of natural light to shine in. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Civic Square proudly hanging its flags. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Find maps and brochures in the main lobby of the City Hall. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Preserving Welland heritage by the courthouse. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Welland Civic Square is home to the Welland Public Library. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
You may find your walk down to the aqueduct quite serene. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Community Wellness Complex Terrace is an expansive outdoor courtyard – the walkways are lined by plants and exhibit a beautiful view of the canal. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The rock wall of this aqueduct was made in 1845. It was changed from its original state to deepen the canal and reduce the number of locks needed. The history of the aqueducts is an important part of Canada's history of transporting goods worldwide. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Rose gardens along the Community Wellness Complex walkways illustrate the reasoning for The Rose City's nickname. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The city centre proudly exhibits local art and structures, the ones featured above are made from stainless steel and created by Rod Dowling. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The crystal clear water while leaving the Civic Square towards Merritt Island. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
Welland is proud to be a part of Canadian heritage. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The sun lighting up the path to Civic Square. Photograph by: Tanya Woodhead & Nathan Yee, 2013
The Civic Square completed its construction as the foundation for the downtown core revitalization movement. The opening was attended by many locals and dignitaries, after taking the will of three mayors from start to finish. This new addition serves as the gateway for locals and visitors to see the many festivals, Market Square, Merritt Island, and the Downtown.
RECREATIONAL information
During the winter, the pond in front of the Civic Square is converted into a beautiful skating rink, perfect for the family and to experience the close-knit community that exists.
CULTURAL information
As a promise to the city’s art heritage, the Civic Square features eleven pieces of Austrailian-born, Rod Downling’s, stainless steel sculptures. Dowling has been always been known as an adventurer, allocating his time to sailing, and long distance running when young. In more recent years he spent time travelling and understanding architecture from a more of a design standpoint, rather than function. This enthusiasm in design largely attribute with his fascination with sculpting, and through the range of different materials, he has chosen the rare crafting of stainless steel as his preferred medium. The sculptor now calls Niagara his home, contributing many of his stainless steel sculptures to many destinations around Niagara, including Buffalo’s Cultural Centre, Shaver Hospital Garden, and St. Catharines City Hall among many others.
DIRECTIONS
The Niagara Region is known for its beauty and small-town feel. We suggest taking your time as you drive past the lovely farmers fields, wineries, and winding roads. The following directions depict our suggestions from both Toronto and Buffalo.
From Toronto:
From 401 West:
1. Head onto the 401 West
2. Keep right to continue on 403 West/Hamilton
From Gardiner Expressway:
1. Head onto the Gardiner Expressway West
2. Merge onto 403 West/Hamilton
3. Remain on the Queen Elizabeth Way, via 403 West for approximately 21km Keep left, following signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie
4. After approximately 43km, take exit 57 for Victoria Avenue toward Vineland. Head southward on Victoria Avenue.
5. Turn eastward (left) on King Street, (after 2km you will pass by Jordan Village – a quaint little town with great boutiques and restaurants, see ______ for more information)
6. Turn southward (right) on Ninth Street
7. On Pelham Road turn eastward (left) and stay right to immediately head southeast on Wessel Drive
8. Merge onto Effingham Street
9. Turn eastward (left) on Roland Road
10. Turn southward (right) on Merrittville Highway
11. Continue onto Niagara Street
12. Follow Niagara Street onto Division Street
13. At Cross Street turn left
14. The Welland Civic Square is at the intersection of Cross Street and East Main Street
From Niagara Falls:
1. Head northwest on the Rainbow Bridge toward Falls Avenue, veering right, follow Falls Avenue until you reach Hiram Street on your first right. Turn here and head southeast on Hiram Street until you reach River Road
2. Turn right heading southwest onto River Road. Continue on River Road which runs along the Niagara River
3. Merge onto Niagara Parkway. Follow Niagara Parkway. You will pass the Horseshoe Falls on your left. Continue along Niagara Parkway past the Niagara Parks Floral Showcase on your right
4. Continue on Niagara Parkway through the Dufferin Islands and past Kingsbridge where the road will merge onto Macklem Street heading in a southwest direction
5. At the end of the road make a left onto Portage Road heading southeast, travel over the bridge and follow the road until you reach Main Street
6. Turn right onto Main Street heading southwest and follow the road as it merges into Lyons Creek Road/Regional Road 47. Follow The 47 until you reach Montrose Road/Regional Road 98
7. Turn left onto Montrose Road heading south and follow the road until you reach Schisler Road/Regional Road 27, where you will take a slight right
8. Follow The 27 eastward and continue straight on to East Main Street/Regional Road 27
9. Continue on East Main Street past River Road and Dorthy Street on the right
10. The Welland Civic Square is at the intersection of East Main Street and Cross Street
Please Note: Paid meter parking can be found along East Main Street and surrounding side streets.