Smiths Falls gets inspired by visit from Your Town Rising

Loads of ideas for Smiths Falls, Ontario!

We’ve just wrapped up a wonderful roadtrip to Smiths Falls, Ontario to work with the Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association (DSFBA) in eastern Ontario.

The DSFBA was looking to take the next step following revitalization and infrastructure construction in the core. The recent construction project included the replacement of underground infrastructure, like storm systems and watermains, as well as the installation of new concrete curbing and large side walks, parallel parking lanes, fully separate cycling tracks, landscaping, new furniture, a new pedestrian crosswalk, pedestrian and street lighting and new signal infrastructure that meets the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Downtown Smiths Falls hired Your Town Rising to visit the town, do a DSFBA-led walkabout, and present our findings and recommendations for next steps for community-building, placemaking and public art projects.

After the morning walkabout, and our own walkabouts, we spent an entire afternoon brainstorming ideas based on our own observations, listening to the DSFBA members tell stories, discuss challenges, and hopes and dreams for the downtown.

At our evening presentations, we presented a ton of marketing, social media, and placemaking ideas specifically tailored to the downtown, its identity, and its goals. Many of our ideas were designed to be immediately doable and not tied to waiting for reports and grants.

We even left the downtown association with two challenges designed to be implemented within seven days after our visit to begin community-building actions.

“Thank you both so much for coming! It's just what our group needed,” said DSFBA board member Christin Storms. “Everyone left last night so incredibly inspired with loads of ideas. I can't wait to send you our updates!”

Thank you Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association for your enthusiasm and awesome welcomeness during our visit! We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Gregg at the new planters, benches, and mural in downtown Smiths Falls, Ontario