05-12-2025, 12:06 PM
(05-12-2025, 10:30 AM)tomh009 Wrote: Sure, it's not Berlin. But Berlin has over three million people in its urban area and more than five centuries of history, whereas KW has maybe 100K people in its urban area, and barely 150 years--and that in a car-centric North American society. It really makes no sense to compare these two cities.
And just because you don't like the Carl Zehr square doesn't mean it's not used--it's popular with many people, including kids and families, both in summer and winter. And that pretty much confirms that it's a "pleasing, bright, welcoming space".
This is just my own personal observation and maybe it's just the timing of when I visit or pass by both, but Waterloo Public Square feels like an order of magnitude more busy than Carl Zehr Square. And this is despite being in a smaller city. I use Carl Zehr square in the winter for skating, and maybe for the odd event during the summer, but never is it a casual place to just hang out. Yes there are usually a few people hanging around it, but I think you're kidding yourself to call it popular.
When I grab Four All with friends uptown it's an easy choice to go sit in the public square and watch buskers, people dancing, etc. But when I've gotten Four All downtown with friends we are always standing around trying to think of a good place to eat it and chat, and city hall isn't on anyone's mind as a good option. Last time we just sat on the planters and had profanities screamed at us (though now they have a patio to consider at least).