King Township Municipal Administration Centre

King City, Ontario

Completed in 2019, the new municipal offices repurpose a former school property into a hub of community activity. The site brings the diverse Township staff together, including Council Chambers, offices, recreation facilities, and a York Region Police substation.

Snow Larc’s design of the new outdoor space achieves a balance between the formal outdoor amenities, and preserving/enhancing the surrounding natural areas. The main plaza makes room for community events, including farmers’ markets, the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony and more. The patio at the back of the building offers a secluded space for lunch, informal meetings, and recreation programming, while the adjacent geothermal field houses an open lawn, offering less-structured recreation opportunities.

Low impact design initiatives include permeable pavers and bioswales to capitalize on the parking facilities for rainwater capture. A winding recreation trail brings visitors up close to the adjacent Provincially Significant Wetland, while educational signage, bat boxes, and fruit bearing native plants all add to the experience of the site.

Photo Credit: A-Frame