Award:
+ Waterfront Center (Washington, DC), Top Honor Award

Located 400 kilometers north of Toronto, Ramsey Lake is the largest lake within the boundaries of the City of Greater Sudbury and its main source of drinking water. For 100 years the watershed and landscape had been severely damaged by fire and pollution from the forestry and mining industries. In 1990 the City embarked upon the development of a Community Improvement Plan that would guide the regeneration of Ramsey Lake. But first it needed a long-term vision.

Moriyama & Teshima's first steps were to redefine the terms of reference. The Vision would guide future actions for the next 100 years, the time required to heal the environment. And, given the significant underlying natural processes and interdependent ecological relationships that affect environmental health and quality of life, the entire watershed had to be considered, not just the Lake itself.

Because no single organization had the skills or resources to guide the implementation of the Improvement Plan, the 100-year Vision recommends the establishment of the Ramsey Lake Trust. A public, charitable foundation, the Trust protects and enhances the Lake and its environs, encouraging community stewardship with a code of ethics for those living on and using the Lake and related watershed lands.

The 100-year Vision established Ramsey Lake as the green and natural heart of Sudbury. A public domain of park and recreational space, the magnificent setting of Ramsey Lake is a place of enjoyment, discovery, and recreation for everyone. A continuous trail system has now been created for cyclists, joggers, and cross-country skiers. A network of centers for conservation, education, research, recreation, cultural arts and tourism will eventually extend through urban areas, conservation lands, and open spaces.

In 1992 the 100-Year Vision for Ramsey Lake and its watershed was integrated into the Ramsey Lake Community Improvement Plan and finally endorsed by the City in 2002. Thanks to the Vision, downtown Sudbury now has five beautiful beaches, public gardens and an amphitheatre for concerts and other cultural events.