Keep the Spark Alive: Beautification and Placemaking Between Events

Big events get all the glory, but the months in between are where the real opportunity lies. How do you keep streets, parks, and public spaces engaging year-round? Here are some practical ideas and examples from communities across Ontario.

1. Review your vendors and suppliers

Your lighting, planters, and installations rely on dependable partners. Take stock: Are your suppliers meeting deadlines? Can they offer more durable, cost-effective, or sustainable options? Consider modular planter systems or reusable décor elements to get more mileage out of your investments.

If it’s been a while since you last evaluated your partners, this may be the time to go out for a Request for Proposals (RFP). A fresh RFP process can help you compare pricing, introduce new creative options, assess service levels, and ensure you're getting the best long-term value. Even if you stay with your current supplier, going to RFP can surface innovations and cost efficiencies you wouldn’t otherwise know about.

Tip: Ask vendors about flexible installation options that can be swapped seasonally—this can save time and money while keeping displays fresh.

2. Rethink lighting beyond decoration

Lights don’t just illuminate—they create experiences. Layered lighting, programmable colours, or interactive features can turn streets and public spaces into destinations even between events. Seasonal or temporary lighting can highlight architectural features or guide visitors along pedestrian pathways.

Experiment: Try a pilot lighting display in a small block or park to test engagement and maintenance needs before committing city-wide.

3. Evaluate logistics and power

Even the best installations fall flat if power supply is unreliable or maintenance is difficult. Check wiring, storage, and access points, and explore mobile or pre-planned power solutions to make deployments smoother and safer.

Question to ask: Could a single upgrade to your power infrastructure unlock multiple future installations?

4. Repurpose and extend

Don’t let materials sit idle between events. Decorative elements, lighting fixtures, or even banners can be reused for pop-up markets, outdoor art, or seasonal displays, giving your community new experiences without extra costs.

Quick win: Create a “repurpose map” of assets to see where decorations or lights could be redeployed in creative ways.

5. Build a continuous improvement plan

After each season, gather feedback and document lessons. Were there bottlenecks during installation? Did foot traffic shift unexpectedly? Small tweaks—like repositioning a planter, adding a motion sensor, or adjusting lighting angles—can have a big impact.

Pro tip: Keep a short visual log of installations for easy comparison over the years—it helps justify investments and inspires new ideas.

Extra Takeaways:

• Test new concepts in low-risk zones before scaling.

• Track seasonal engagement with photos, foot traffic counts, or social media mentions.

• Collaborate with local artists or schools for small, creative lighting or art activations.

• Consider sustainability at every step: energy-efficient lights, durable planters, and reusing materials reduces costs and environmental impact.

Beautification and placemaking aren’t just about holidays or festivals—they’re about attention to detail, learning from each season, and raising the bar incrementally. By thinking strategically about vendors, lighting, logistics, and reuse, municipalities and BIAs across Ontario can keep public spaces inviting, memorable, and engaging all year long.

Let’s chat! Reach out to book a free consult to explore how we can support your placemaking and beautification projects to keep streets, parks, and public spaces engaging year-round.