​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Activate Downtown Brampton Logo​Activate Downtown Brampton is a series of interactive installations and activations that take place in Downtown Brampton’s laneways and public gathering spaces. The project is a collaborative partnership between 8 80 Cities, The City of Brampton, and the Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (DBBIA). Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) was established to attract local residents to the heart of the city and create opportunities for social connection in underutilized public spaces through bold laneway installations, community programming, and live musical showcases that celebrate the City’s rich cultural diversity.​

The Activate Dow​ntown Brampton 2022 pilot was funded through the My Main Street Community Activator Program and was supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

​​Media Release​​​​​

Nelson Square Pocket Park (2023)

This year, the ADB program delivered the Nelson Square Pocket Park, a pilot project that opened in ​August 2023, and will remain open until August 2024. This activation is located in the corner of the Nelson Street Surface Parking Lot (20 George St N) and this site has been transformed into a vibrant, seasonally responsive public space for social gathering and passive recreation.​​

Harmsworth Lane (2023)

The City in partnership with STEPs installed two vibrant murals to revitalize Harmsworth Lane in June 2023 as part of the Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) program. Vibrancy in Harmsworth Lane, the mural done by artist Ashley Beerdat on the concrete knee wall along 16 John St., celebrates Brampton as an inviting vibrant and urban city by using bright and vivid imagery of plants native to Brampton including roses, honeysuckle, speckled elder, little bluestem, black medic, alfalfa, and cheese weed.

Growth, located on the back stairwell of the building was done by artist Chelsea Charles, explores the relationship between the Flower City Brampton’s landscape and its citizens. With the city’s diversity being Chelsea’s main influence, the mural uses bold and bright colours to showcase the unique cultures, traditions, and experiences that make Brampton such a special place.

Photo attribution: Alicia Reid (@lensoflici)​

Vivian Lane (2022)

In 2022, as part of the launch of the Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) program, Vivian Lane in downtown Brampton was transformed into a vibrant laneway with colourful artwork, movable seating, more plants, shade, and programming. Local Brampton artist Abiola Idowu transformed the lane with a bright, bold and colourful ground mural that reflects the objectives of Activate Downtown Brampton. Within eight weeks, 29 events were hosted, 30 local vendors were engaged and 40+ community volunteers were engaged in Vivian Lane.​​​​

23 Weeks of ​Live Music (2022)

Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) created a series of exciting interactive installations and activations to Downtown Brampton’s laneways and public gathering spaces from May to October in 2022. 90 bands and 269 musicians performed at locations in Downtown Brampton (Brampton Daily Times Square, Main St. South Patio, Segovia Coffee Co. Patio, and Vivian Lane). A diverse genre of music and a wide array of amazing musical talents were on display for residents and visitors alike. 60% of the musicians were also from right here in Brampton!

Photo credits: @brampton_bits_and_bites​​

 Studies & Reports

 Presentations & Memos

For additional information on the Activate Downtown Brampton project, please contact the project leads: