Cross-country ski trailhead in the works

From the desk of: Rideau-Rockcliffe Councillor Rawlson King

By Manor Park Chronicle

City of Ottawa Councillor—Ward 13 Rideau-Rockcliffe Rawlson King

(Editor’s note: Rideau-Rockcliffe Councillor Rawlson King contributes a regular column on municipal news.)

I am pleased that a community partnership capital project was recently approved in Manor Park.

The municipal Community Partnership Major Capital Program is an initiative to implement major capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities. The city offers grants on a cost-shared basis with community partners.

In October, city council approved a $15,000 contribution to the Manor Park Community Council (MPCC) for the establishment of a cross-country ski trailhead. It would be based at MPCC’s new community space located at 1805 Gaspé Ave., the former Historica Canada campus that housed the “Encounters With Canada” program.

The community council will work with Ski Heritage East to create a connection to NCC lands. This includes access gates, seasonal storage, and outdoor seating for the many residents who take advantage of the 40-kilometre, multi-use winter trail that is located alongside the banks of the Ottawa River.

Gaspé Ave. open house

I was also very pleased to attend the open house at 1805 Gaspe Ave. to unveil a beautiful outdoor mural, sponsored by the city, that beautifies our neighbourhood, as well to visit the new child care facility, where 54 new licensed child care spaces have been allocated under the federal Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program through the City of Ottawa.

Blasdell bridge connection

Concerning National Capital Commission (NCC) land, my office was notified that work is tentatively set to be initiated in the spring to formally connect the Blasdell Ave. pedestrian bridge to the capital pathway network at the Aviation Pkwy.

The new pathway will be asphalt, and when the project is complete, the NCC will remove the gravel access road. The NCC intends to landscape the area by planting trees and adding benches. When further details about the project emerge in the new year, the NCC will communicate to Manor Park residents online, using social media, and through contact with the Manor Park Community Association and the MPCC. (Editors’ note: For an article about the recent naming of the bridge, visit here.)

Plan to improve bus service

I recently released a position paper focused on improving OC Transpo bus routes in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward to enhance efficiency and improve the passenger experience.

I explore the challenges with current routes that serve our area and the importance of route optimization for the main bus routes which serve this ward.

Additionally, the position paper calls for:

  • reduced travel time,
  • improved reliability, and
  • increased ridership.

I makes recommendations concerning bus route improvements. These are based upon resident input through a transit survey and virtual townhall session that my office conducted earlier this year. View the paper can be here.

As always, you can contact my office by email at rideaurockcliffeward@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613-580-2483. Please subscribe to my newsletter at www.rideau-rockcliffe.ca.

A new mural at 1805 Gaspé Ave. helps celebrate the official opening of Manor Park Community Council (MPCC)’s new headquarters. City of Ottawa council approved funding to help establish the site as a cross-country skiing trailhead.