Manotick Village and Community Association
A voluntary, not-for-profit community association advancing Manotick's interests
and the quality of life of its residents.
November 15, 2019
The City of Ottawa is hosting drop-in information sessions about its cultural and arts funding programs. The closest one will be held at the South Point Community Centre (off Woodroffe north of Strandherd) on November 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff will be on hand to discuss programs such as the Heritage Funding Program, Diversity in the Arts Fund, and Arts Funding Program to name a few. Details:
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MVCA advocates on behalf of local residents on local planning issues, traffic and pedestrian safety and also organizes community events throughout the year.
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Beryl Gaffney Park
The City of Ottawa is moving to make improvements to Beryl Gaffney Park using funds retained specifically for this purpose. These funds were generated through an agreement with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority when the City transferred land for their new building at the corner of Prince of Wales Drive and Rideau Valley Drive North. Close to $1 million is now available for enhancements to the Park.
MVCA has sought input from local residents who use the park and encouraged everyone to attend public consultations that have been taking place over the past year. MVCA has been an active participant in these public consultations regarding the future plans for this park and has supported efforts to maintain the natural environment of the park while providing additional amenities such as benches, picnic tables and improvements to the existing network of pathways.
On June 24 there was a public information session regarding the proposed improvements. MVCA representatives were surprised to discover that the proposed changes were significantly different than those discussed at prior meetings. It is our position they do not reflect the stated intent of the funding nor do the changes reflect what the community and park users have indicated they would desire for the Park.
The City is now recommending traffic lights, a parking lot and a fenced dog park instead of the enhancements of more benches and picnic tables as well as path improvements to extend the pathway network through to Chapman Mills and to David Bartlett park, including a small bridge. These priorities not only preserve the natural beauty of the park, they would connect Manotick to Ottawa’s greater network of paths.
We will continue to post updates on these consultations and City responses in the coming months.
If you have comments on this, MVCA is pleased to receive them and we encourage you to also share them with your Councillor Moffatt and Councillor Meehan as the Park falls within their Wards. You can find more details on the plan on the City of Ottawa website.
Beryl Gaffney Park borders the Rideau River, and is located near the intersection of Prince of Wales Drive and Rideau Valley Drive.
In September, the MVCA, with the support of the Council on Aging, undertook a walkability audit of the Village Core. Four volunteers, including one individual in a wheel chair, joined Director John Harrison in a walk along Bridge and Main Streets and the cross streets between Dickinson and Main Street.
The full report has been sent to the City of Ottawa and some of its findings will be included in the Council of Aging's 2018 Progress Report. The MVCA Board has reviewed the findings with Councillor Moffatt and further action will be undertaken as a result. Future updates will be posted as items are finalized.