Mouse City 1

Posted on: October 27, 2019

March 9th, 2019

Mouse City is a model-building project run by Small Print Toronto, a registered non-profit that has run programs which empower children to tell their own stories since 2008. On March 9, 2019 the Cloverdale Common hosted the first in a series of Mouse City programs that help reimagine the Cloverdale Redevelopment through perspective of children. 

In this first session, participants were presented with a blank canvass to interpret the concept of “complete communities.” Structured as a drop-in session, facilitators approached participants arriving at the event and introduced them to Mouse City asking them the question “What are your visions for a great neighbourhood at Cloverdale?”

50 people attended this first session. The event attracted a mix of ages including many older adults bringing their grandchildren, along with families with small children.  Some of the creative structures that were constructed by the children included:

  • Mixed-use towers (including uses such as apartments, theatres, restaurants)
  • A party house
  • Buildings with rooftop spaces (living roofs, mix of public and private)
  • Mouse City Centre for the Arts
  • Powerplant (energy generation method unknown)
  • Public dancefloor
  • Outdoor stage in an arts and culture park
  • Waterpark
  • Variety of places to live (small and large apartments, treehouse, shelter housing)
  • Local food production (factory, gardens)
  • Hotel