The Beautification of Space

When I first encountered Abbotsford’s public sculptures in the form of benches in the historic part of downtown, I read them as an attempt at beautification of a public space. The city of Abbotsford made an attempt to revitalize the downtown area since the implementation of the C7 zoning bylaw, which regulates activities and services to minimize risk-on-return through control and carefully placed objects. Even though the benches suggest use, they lean towards beautification, rather than function. The benches are functional but not likely to be used, due to their placement. Their true value is an attempt to increase the aesthetic value of an area in transition. 

Heavy use of parking on the streets, in addition to minimal foot traffic, suggests that shoppers drive in from neighbourhoods in the surrounding areas to shop in the C7 area. While riding my bike around the parameters of C7, I soon discovered that the roads are not bike friendly. The city may have future plans to develop density rich neighbourhoods in the downtown C7 area, with residential units and road friendly bike lanes, which would increase foot traffic, but for now commerce dominate the area, while the area goes through transition.
At the corner of Essendene and Montrose Avenue is a sculptural bench of three men. Essendene Avenue is one of the main arteries leading vehicles through the core of downtown Abbotsford, which makes the corner noisy and an unlikely spot to rest. What the placement and angle does provide is high visibility for the public art sculpture. Google image offers a view of someone resting at the bus stop, just behind the public artwork. 
 PictureGoogle image of the public art bench at Montrose Avenue and Essendene Avenue.
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Regulating Flow

Public space is never free from regulations and restrictions. Land owners are subject to bylaws and surveillance. In Jubilee Park the sign at one of the entry points serves as a reminder of how the park is to be used; no tents, no motorcycles, no horses. Given that Jubilee Park is highly visible and flanked by major arteries of heavy traffic moving through downtown Abbotsford, the site served as an ideal political platform for the homeless community as a protest point when they set up their tents on the edge of the park. For several months the blue tarp tents were a constant reminder of the homeless situation in Abbotsford. 
The majority of Jubilee Park is open with easy access and many points of entry, with one exception, the Jubilee Park Lawn Bowling Club which has a fence around its property line. The club has been a operating since the 1930's, which gives it a long standing history. The fence signals to the public in the area that the club is separate from the park area and operates by its own set of regulations and rules. 

Fences, Gates and Sites of Public Restriction

Fences, gates, low barrier shrubs and other signs of division and control of movement and flow. Public space is restricted space. It's a regulated shared space. It's accessible only by agreed upon terms by the land owner, regulating political bodies and people. Opting into an agreement on the use of space is a gradual indoctrination. One that happens over a life time, so that you barely notice when there is a small change. Our concept of what is useful and beautiful develops over a life time of being exposed to social practices. 
The historic library in the C7 zoning are, that sits on the grounds of Jubilee Park. The building has a unique design with a low barrier overhang and an exterior exit to basement entrances. The stairs and overhang area is restricted by a chain link fence. 
A chain link fence defines the space between the sidewalk along McCallum Road and Jubilee Park. It serves no purpose other than to project into the social space that the park is a place of regulated leisure and operates on a different social platform from the surrounding businesses, auto and foot traffic. This subtle sign identifies the park as separate from commerce and the utility; it is a differentiation of private leisure value versus the expediency of commerce.