Building a fair and forward-looking future for Manor Park

Sidewalks vote more than concrete and construction, resident writes

For many Manor Park residents, the decision against sidewalks felt discouraging, but it reminds me that progress rarely comes easily. Every society faces moments when comfort collides with change, when the familiar feels safer than the uncertain. 

Yet history teaches us that true progress demands courage. The vote against sidewalks was not just a matter of concrete and construction — it reflected our willingness to see beyond familiarity and toward a more forward-looking, equitable, and connected community.

The decisions we make today will ripple far beyond our lifetime. When seat belt laws were first introduced in 1976, many resisted them, citing inconvenience and infringement on their personal freedom. Today, seat belts are indisputably embedded into our daily habits and thousands of lives have been saved. Our social values evolve, and progress requires the willingness to act at a cost. A Chinese proverb reminds us, “One generation plants the trees, the next enjoys the shade.”

We need to seize the opportunities to build a better environment for our kids. The constant back-and-forth that leads to construction change orders and last-minute reversals wastes public money and momentum. By removing sidewalks from a project already under way, we trade progress for paperwork and squander the tax dollars meant to serve everyone. Every delayed improvement is a deferred act of care for our community.

Equity and inclusion

Sidewalks are not a matter of preference — they are a question of equity and inclusion. They grant safety and dignity to children walking to school, to people with mobility challenges, and to parents pushing strollers. A compassionate community does not settle questions of accessibility through majority vote. Even if only one in ten residents directly benefits from sidewalks, their presence represents a win for all who value equality, safety, and shared public space.

Designs for safety improve as standards evolve. Decades ago, the planners of Manor Park could not have known what modern research tells us about traffic safety and pedestrian infrastructure. Just as the first cars did not have seatbelts in their designs. The idea that residents “feel safe” without sidewalks misses the point entirely — feelings cannot substitute for evidence. Roads built for a different era should not dictate the choices of today. A progressive city accepts that its neighbourhoods must adapt to new realities, not resist them.

Good health is never something we should take for granted. For most of my life, I was blessed with excellent health and never once considered what life might feel like without full mobility. But after the birth of my baby, I began to understand the value of accessibility infrastructure. Now, when I come across stroller ramps or cooperative seating on buses, I no longer see them as minor conveniences. They have become quiet affirmations of care and inclusion. They remind me how our society builds these small but vital structures not just for those who currently need them, but for anyone who might, one day, find themselves in a moment of vulnerability.

Personal experience

While some residents may feel safe without sidewalks, it does not reflect my family’s experience. When I push a stroller to playgrounds or the bus stops, especially in rain or snow, I feel exposed as I weave around cars parked on the street. In winter, snowbanks erase what little walking space exists. And looking ahead, when my child is old enough to walk to school alone, the thought of them doing so without a dedicated sidewalk is deeply worrying. Safe, dedicated sidewalks are a necessity for some families, not a luxury or an option.

City council has a moral and civic responsibility: to lead according to evidence, fairness, and long-term vision. Councillor King has a role to play to not just inform the resisting residents about the benefits of sidewalks, but to lead with conviction and compassion. True leadership means standing firm for the right decision, even when it is uneasy. The role of government is to guide society with foresight — not to mirror fears of change.

We find ourselves at a critical crossroads. Will we allow familiarity and nostalgia to guide our decisions, or will we act with foresight and principle? 

Building sidewalks may seem like a small step, but this kind of small step builds great communities. It signals our understanding of what fairness means in practice —  our society’s care for every resident’s right to move safely and confidently in their neighbourhood. So, what kind of legacy do we want to leave behind?

Julie Zhang (pronounced Jah-ng) P. Eng is a new resident of Manor Park and a member of the Rideau Vanier Transit Action Group. Road safety holds dear to her since her grandfather passed away because of a car accident. This article was written with assistance from Perplexity AI to enhance and accelerate editing.