NCC approves riverfront parkway plan

After a three-year planning process, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has approved the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Riverfront Parkway Plan.

The plan covers a 13-kilometre stretch along the Ottawa River, including many areas enjoyed by Manor Park residents. The NCC aims to make the park more attractive to visitors while also prioritizing environmental conservation.

The NCC board approved the plan in October, setting out a vision for the park for the next 30 to 50 years. Each initiative within the plan will be subject to funding availability and federal approvals.

In the plan document, NCC Chief Executive Officer Tobi Nussbaum writes, “The ideas proposed in the plan reflect where we want to go as budgets and opportunities allow . . . We are excited to see how they will be implemented over time together with our partners and the public.”

Access and mobility

Improving park access and mobility is one the NCC’s near-term goals. This includes introducing a number of signalized pedestrian crossings along the Sir George-Étienne Cartier parkway. The parkway intersections at Birch Ave. and Buena Vista Rd. are two planned crossing locations.

The NCC will also prioritize improving public access to the newly refurbished River House. The NCC plans to engage OC Transpo and other service providers to explore public transit or shuttle services. This would build on the introduction of a water taxi service earlier this year.

“The park offers a basis for greater cooperation and coordination between the NCC and the City,” says Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King. “We’ll have to think about how the new plans might impact and require other city services.

Things won’t happen overnight, but this creates a framework for investment in the ward and the city. I know people have been really pleased with the investment in the NCC River House and a more varied use of the park for recreation like cross-country skiing.”

Entertainment venue rejected

The overall park plan places a specific emphasis on enhancing the cultural aspects of the park, including greater recognition of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg heritage through “public art, events, landscape treatments, design and artifact displays at appropriate locations.”

The NCC was initially considering a medium-sized entertainment venue for the Mile Circle – the large, fielded area west of Birch Ave. and south of the parkway. However, based on community feedback, the NCC did not include this in the final plan.

The NCC has, however, earmarked space for a “cultural institution and/or facility” southeast of the Rockcliffe Airport.

According to the NCC, planning for this site has not yet been initiated but, when it does, public consultation will be a key element.

Community concerns

Manor Park resident Katherine Forster attended meetings of the NCC’s Public Advisory Community on behalf of the Manor Park Community Association. “Input from local community groups and the general public was really important in shaping the plan,” she says. “The community will want to remain engaged as more details become available.”

The NCC did retain some modest plans for the Mile Circle: the NCC plans to eventually formalize a parkway access path on the western side of the field and add a pollinator garden to the north.

Notably, the entire Mile Circle area remains earmarked for unspecified “future federal use.” The NCC was unable to provide more specifics.
Some local residents expressed concerns about planned changes to Pine Hill, an area many use as an off-leash dog area. The NCC has long-term plans to formalize a trail loop, which they say is needed to conserve species at risk and limit soil erosion. The plan also includes new seating, wayfinding, and a lookout.

In response to local concerns, the NCC emphasized it would not cut down trees to create a lookout but rather do “selective pruning.” The NCC has also said they would not prohibit on-leash dog walking.

The plan proposes a number of other local modifications, again subject to funding and further approvals. Rockcliffe Park is to see improved pathway surfaces and an expanded picnic area. The Rockcliffe Lookout may get seating. The Rockeries could see “enhanced landscaping” and improved wayfinding.

Again, further discussions will take place before the planned changes occur. “The NCC stressed this is the first step,” says Katherine. “Each time they’re going to do any specific changes, there will be more consultation.”

For more information, the full Sir George-Étienne Cartier Riverfront Park plan is available online.

This article was written by Chronicle contributor Leah Marchuk,