Old East Common

LIFE*SPIN moved to our current location in 2005. We started the “Building Common Grounds Project” in 2006 to provide community green space in the Old East neighbourhood. The first step, however, was to remove the dilapidated house located at 423 Ontario Street just behind LIFE*SPIN, and create an empty lot.

A comprehensive study, conducted by the Geography Department at the University of Western Ontario, found there was insufficient recreational and green space in the Dundas corridor area where, LIFE*SPIN was located. This lack of shared community space left residents isolated inside their homes, where they struggled individually.

In 2006, residents in the area were contracts through a door-to-door survey, and then invited to a community forum to share their design ideas. These ideas from residents helped to create the blueprints for the space, which were consolidated into a landscape plan by Landscape Architect Gabriel Sanio.

Green spaces serve as gathering places to interact with neighbours. This heritage garden gives more than 3,000 people in this neighbourhood a green space and a play area for their families and themselves to spend time. Providing a sense of community and ownership.