Manor Park Community Council

Seasons change and so do we . . .

By Allison Seymour

Harvest Bounty of vegetables, tomatoes, beets, radishes, kale etc.
Despite a late start to planting, the MPCC day-campers enjoyed the extra bounty resulting from the relocation of the community gardens earlier this summer. Photo: Stephanie Sears

With the seasons changing from summer to fall and soon from fall to winter, and with the ever-evolving COVID-19 environment, the MPCC has been busy ramping up programs to support the community through all the transitions. Whether it has been readying for “back-to -school” with before-and-after school programs or “back-to-work” with fitness programs, the MPCC continues to flex and adjust to the needs of Manor Park and our neighbours. This fall was busy with:

  • Creating an outdoor nature-based licensed preschool program at Manor Park Playschool
  • Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by introducing Indigenous games to our child participants
  • Continuing food bank hamper deliveries through Ottawa Cares volunteer drivers and grant support from the Ottawa Food Bank Emergency Fund
  • Ongoing upgrades to our fire engine play area and the addition of outdoor lighting to keep programming going well into the evenings

Now, as we look forward to the next season, we are planning activities to welcome the snow and ice and make the most of the winter wonderland in Manor Park!

We are hoping to be able to program the new space at Gaspé utilizing the rink and outdoor space for new activities for families and friends . . . stay tuned for further news as our plans evolve! The community centre ice will again be open to pond hockey, power skating, skating lessons and on-ice fitness classes. Additionally, we are introducing winter multisport for kids. There are also a number of new indoor programs for kids and adults being introduced so keep an eye out for those.

Regardless of the season, the MPCC remains vigilant in all our programming, requiring that staff, volunteers and participants be double vaccinated to ensure that all can participate knowing that the highest level of safety measures are in place. We also have introduced voluntary rapid antigen testing for staff.

For more information on our COVID policies please visit http://manorpark.ca/policies.

Finally, MPCC is anxious to host a community event to welcome everyone “back” as soon as this is permissible . . . perhaps a skating and chili party is in our near future?!