Windsor just unveiled its new civic esplanade — but some reaction is mixed

The City of Windsor recently unveiled its new City Hall Square plaza — a multi-use "civic esplanade" consisting of a concrete slab that converts into an ice rink, public washrooms, and a jet water display. 

The project cost around $15 million dollars, including almost $7 million in federal funding. 

But despite the esplanade's amenities, the space has gotten some mixed reviews.

Windsorite Jorge McConnell says he believes the esplanade will bring more  foot traffic to the downtown core.

"It gets the kids out in the community and it opens it up more," said McConnell. "If families want to go and eat, it'll get them downtown and bring people out more."

Rasakai Basiru is a local landscaper, and says it provides a positive space for local children.

"It is good for Windsor and when I get here, I'm very happy when I see it," said Basiru. 

David Jing has lived in Windsor since 2002. He says the esplanade's funding should have been allocated elsewhere.

"We have a problem here in Windsor," said Jing. "There's been a lot of homelessness in the past two years ... there's a lot of space and the [municipal] government should have built more places and houses for the homeless [with the money spent]. 

"It's important to have public spaces, but you have to balance it and see where the priority is needed most ... There's not too much fun here, I see it as just a waste."

Windsor resident Wayne McGhee says he thinks the esplanade should've been put in a more high-traffic area of the city.

"To put it right at city hall, it's good for the city workers, but I'm thinking 'why couldn't it have been closer to the water?," he said. 

But during Windsor's hot summers, some experts who study climate and heat say visitors could find the area even warmer. 

Jeffrey Brook is an associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He explains that this heat is part of a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect — a concentrated area that is hotter than other areas that surround it.

"[Concrete] is an absorber of heat, and then can radiate it later over time," said Brook. "So it's not surprising that people are experiencing greater heat in these areas due to the excess amount of concrete [on the esplanade]. 

Brook says the city's planting of greenery should help — but it takes time to grow, which could be a short-term challenge.  

"We talk about planting trees as one of our solutions [to the urban heat island effect], but trees take a long time to mature and they're quite costly," said Brook. "We do need other ways to manage this incoming sunshine [...] other ways to reflect the heat and cool need to be part of this comprehensive plan."

In a statement, the City of Windsor noted the water feature in the esplanade as one way to help mitigate heat. The city says they've also planted more than three dozen new trees and laid  750 rolls of sod.

"Together, these features contribute to a welcoming, climate-conscious public space designed for year-round enjoyment," the city said. 

James Voogt is a professor studying geography and the environment at Western University. He says that while the high use of concrete may increase the esplanade's summer temperature, its reflectivity may benefit the ice rink come winter. 

"Because the albedo (the [light] reflectivity) is so high, it is reflecting a lot of that sunlight away, and I suspect in the winter, it's an advantage of keeping it cooler if you want an ice rink."

Voogt says that the openness of the esplanade also allows it to cool easier at night, as heat radiates to the sky without interference from buildings.