The Poodle On The Pole

The infamous Poodle On A Pole.
And its odd little green space neighbour.
Yes, that’s right, the gates are down, the weird red sculptural piping is spruced and this little nook is officially open for you to frolic in the exotic front garden space of… TD Canada Trust.
Kidding aside, green space is always a welcome sight and this tiny little park is a happy addition to the neighbourhood for that. But beyond the added green, the fact that I get to watch young men and women hilariously «clown car» themselves onto the tiny grassy nolle while I wait for the light at 18^th, I don’t really understand this park.
And am I the only one who was hoping the red piping was going to be a water park?!
They’ve got some spiffy looking red stools set up along the walk way which look darn fancy. I give you that it’s visually appealing. But short, backless chairs don’t exactly scream «relaxing park trip». There’s a reason the park bench is a classic…
And it IS lovely to have a rather expansive picnic area. In front of a bank. And a shoppers. And church’s chicken. ALL places I readily think of for my picnic needs.
…
A metal picnic area right in time for summer. So we might all relax under the weird, non water park pipey things so long as we put at least two items of cloth between ourselves and the scorching seats. Again, park planners — WOOD picnic benches… classic for a reason…
So though I welcome another touch of green in the neighborhood, I feel like this space was a missed opportunity. Most obviously for a water park…
And the Poodle — Because when you think «Riley Park» you think «Giant Ceramic Poodle… High On A Pole».
I just don’t get it.