The mandate of the Markham Village Conservancy is to strengthen the sense of community in Markham Village, Ontario, Canada; to preserve the quality of life in the Village; and to conserve the heritage and natural elements of the Village.
The Conservancy meets on the second Thursday evening of each month at 7 p.m. at the Train Station. New members are always welcome.
The Village Square Project - 2007
In our view the creation of a town square in Markham Village is a long over due and badly needed public space. With the exception of Morgan Park and the library commons, there is no other public space in the Village in which its citizens can gather.
A town square is vital to building community as it provides an opportunity for citizens to engage with one another in an attractive and safe environment on a daily basis and on special occasions. As an example, it can be a place to read the paper, have a cup of coffee, view an art show, attend a farmers market or village festival and remember those who have contributed to the success of the Village in the past. It can be a place to skate, dance and enjoy music. It can be a place that helps create fond memories and lasting friendships. It can encourage investment and immeasurably enrich life in the Village.
A location for the town square was identified in the Main Street Master Plan of 2000 and was discussed in the Main Street Vision of the same year.
We believe it is vital to engage the citizens of Markham in the design process. A key component to the success the square would be the programming of it for specific activities. The Town, BIA, Farmers Market, Music Festival, MVC, music and dance schools and many others, both private and public, could also be involved in programming. We would invite each to consider their involvement in terms of time and finances. The key to the success of the square is its continuous programming with many varied activities.
Click here for images of the plans created by the consultant hired by the MVC, Kenneth J. Hoyle, for preliminary discussion purposes. These drawings are the result of several meetings with Town officials and owners of the land under consideration. As of June 2007, a feasibility study by the Town of Markham is in the planning stages. Contact David Pearce, Manager, Real Property, of the Town of Markham for more information at dpearce@markham.ca.
The Environmental Assessment of Main Street - 2007
Please watch here for announcements of public meetings that will ask for your input on the future designs of Main Street, from 407 to Major McKenzie. Consultants have been hired and we await the first meetings.
Our history
The Conservancy is a founding member
and major participant in Doors Open Markham which took place during the
weekend before Labour Day in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Train Station was open for two days, staffed by
volunteers from the Conservancy, and welcomed nearly 500 visitors. The York
Durham Heritage Railway Heritage Train shuttled between the Markham Station and
Unionville Station all weekend. For more information, go to
www.doorsopenmarkham.ca.
The Train Station Restoration is the founding project of the MVC. The Conservancy now manages the Station for the community and has other projects within the village on the go. The Conservancy is involved with the Revitalization of Main Street Markham project and maintains close ties with other community organizations in the Markham Village area.