Author: AGMS

I'm a game programmer, doing pretty much everything (from Wii, Kinect to iPad). On the side, just for fun, I write file systems (for the nifty BeOS/Haiku operating system) and experiment with metadata.

Drinking Location in Champlain Park

Posted on the City of Ottawa website as of July 4, 2025: Personal Consumption of alcohol is now permitted in Champlain Park but only in the authorized zones marked with green stripes (SouthWest corner near Clearview/Cowley) as shown in the map below.

[Map of Champlain Park showing where Alcohol consumption is allowed]

Alcohol is not allowed in any other area, except by permit.

Restrictions

Alcohol may not be:

  • consumed within five meters of specified park amenities
  • amenities listed on the signage that are applicable to Champlain Park: playgrounds, playground equipment, wading pools, sports fields, ball diamonds, rink boards
  • consumed in rented parks and facilities during events, except by permission
  • sold, supplied or served without a permit

Individuals consuming alcohol must:

  • be 19 years of age or older
  • be consumed between 11 am and 9 pm
  • take all empty alcoholic beverage containers home
  • not drink, drive, be intoxicated in public or cause a disturbance

[Sample of what an alcohol allowed in the park sign looks like]

The Comedy of Errors, in Our Park! – July 19

Coming to Champlain Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM! With cookies!

A Company of Fools presents

The Comedy of Errors

90 Minutes of Mayhem (and laughs)

https://www.fools.ca/comedy-of-errors

[Poster for 2025 Company of Fools production of The Comedy of Errors]

This year, they’ve ramped up the madness. The tale is set in a land of warp pipes, Goombas, and mustachioed plumbers.

(Pssst. Don’t tell Shakespeare!)

All are welcome. Pay what you can.

AND

The Champlain Park Community Association Cookie Table is back

Free Cookies for all between 5:15 PM and 6:45 PM

Volunteers for cookie table set-up/take-down will be much appreciated.

Please contact Heather through the web site.

Councillor in the Park – July 15

City councillor Jeff Leiper’s newsletter #443 informs us that…

Pop-up office hours in Champlain Park July 15

I’ll be doing my last pop-up before putting those on their usual summer hiatus on July 15 from 1-4 pm at Champlain Park (140 Carleton Avenue). If it’s raining, look for us in the field house. Pop-ups are an opportunity to come by any time during those hours without appointment to chat with me one-on-one about whatever is on your mind.

Community Association Board Meeting Agenda – June 24

Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 24, 2025
7:00 PM via Google Meet
Everybody Welcome

Agenda items are limited to 5 minutes unless otherwise requested.

This is a meeting of the CPCA Board of Directors. Champlain Park Community members are welcome to attend, if you would like to propose items for discussion, to ask questions, to organize an event or activity, or to learn more about the issues affecting our community.

Activities and Issues must fall within our community plan/areas of operation in order to be addressed by the CPCA. You can write to the webmaster champlainpark@gmail.com to request a link to join the meeting and/or to connect you with the appropriate Board member for information and guidance including how to submit a Community Project Proposal.

  1. Approval of Minutes
    1. May meeting minutes
  2. Interim Motions
  3. Suggestions for improving hybrid meeting experience for virtual participants. Lynne
  4. Alcohol in Parks – Information to Date on possible implementation in CP. Also see councillor Jeff Leiper’s blog.
  5. Enviro Committee Update. Shelagh Jane
  6. Zoning By-Law Update. Heather
  7. Rolling out the revised CPCA By-Laws before AGM. Lynne
  8. Approve Company of Fools Snack Table 2025 July 19
  9. Finance/Membership/Insurance Update. Lynne
  10. Engaging Community re: Spending Surplus Monies, Historical Photos of CP in Fieldhouse, Survey of Housing Types in CP – Richard
  11. Other business
  12. Next Meeting

Agenda last updated on June 23 14:10. Please contact the secretary to add topics.

Alcohol in Champlain Park: Have Your Say

Ottawa City Council unanimously approved a pilot project to allow personal consumption of alcohol in public parks at its meeting of June 11, 2025. Drinking in parks – with some restrictions – has been allowed for a number of years in some other cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, and Council has agreed to try it in Ottawa for a few months this summer and fall.

[AI generated picture of beer in a plastic cup (no broken glass) on the grass in a park from DreamStudio.ai]

It’s up to councillors to nominate parks in their wards to participate in this pilot project. In his most recent newsletter, Kitchissippi ward Councillor Jeff Leiper wrote that, while he’s “not invested in making this happen,” he would like to choose at least one park in the ward to participate in the pilot project. One of his suggestions was Champlain Park.

The Champlain Park Community Association is not taking an official position on this issue — nor was it asked to by the City — but Coun. Leiper has asked for feedback on this idea. You can send him your thoughts at jeff.leiper@ottawa.ca

Here are the details of the pilot project:

Duration: July 1 to October 31, 2025

Permitted hours: Between 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Prohibited areas: Within 5 metres of a playground, wading pool, baseball diamond and sports field (Note that the greenspace at Champlain Park is not considered an official sports field by the City)

Other information to note:

  • The pilot only allows for personal consumption of alcohol (i.e. a beverage you bring for yourself). It does not allow serving or selling alcohol at the park, which continues to be prohibited without a permit issued by the city and the approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
  • Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs says the Ottawa Police Service does not support this initiative. You can read his letter to the city’s general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services here: OPS Chief Letter
  • Ottawa Public Health cautioned against the risks of “normalizing drinking in public spaces”, particularly for youth and young adults. You can read the OPH submission here: OPH Submission
  • The City of Toronto held its own pilot project in 27 parks in 2023. The program was made permanent last year in 45 parks, and another nine were added this year, for a total of 54. Toronto’s city staff reports few issues with its program so far. You can read a recent Toronto staff report on its program here: Monitoring Update: Alcohol in Parks

Wading Pool Opening – June 23

Summer time around the pool is here!

Our wading pool will open for the season starting on June 23, 2025 (weather dependent) and run until August 17. It’s usually open noonish until around dinner time, closed on Wednesdays. The city’s Wading Pool Information Page has more information and a map. The opening of wading pools is dependent on the weather. If the weather looks uncertain, call the Seasonal Recreation Office at 613-580-2590 to find out if the wading pool is open that day.

[Wading Pool Photo]

Our Pool is Located at Champlain Park – 140 Carleton Ave.

Visitors are reminded to abide by admission requirements and water safety rules.

Day July & August
Monday 11 am to 6 pm
Tuesday noon to 7pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday noon to 7pm
Friday 11 am to 6 pm
Saturday noon to 5 pm
Sunday noon to 5 pm

Other related pool cooling off options:

Other pools and beaches are listed on the City’s swimming page.

There’s also the RA Outdoor Pool Schedule

Barbecue & Picnic in the Park – Thanks

via Laurie…

Yesterday was a banner day in Champlain Park. The sun was out, there was a light breeze, delicious BBQ, salads and yummy desserts.

[Panorama of the 2025 Picnic and BBQ, looking towards field house]

Thank you to all who came out and ate, played games, met old and new fellow “Champlainers”. Thanks to all who brought food – most appreciated. It had all the ingredients of creating community.

[Line-up for the food truck at the 2025 Picnic and BBQ]

When I thanked Nick and Joanne I was remiss in not acknowledging others who dug in from 2 pm until the end putting up bunting, helping serve food, getting the games areas organized, etc.

[Ping Pong behind the field house at the 2025 Picnic and BBQ]

Board members Richard Lochead for selling memberships, Shelagh Jane for many things including providing that great bell. Alex Smith for his height in helping on bunting and much more.

[Dessert table unveiled, at the 2025 Picnic and BBQ]

Boa for her wonderful tattoos. There was a boy named Thomas who lent a great hand as well. Elaine Hoskins for helping out with many things. John Geddes for table prep and heavy lifting. Erin Topping looking for neighbourhood volunteers to help folks out.

[Tug of War at the 2025 Picnic and BBQ]

Plus the strong contingent from Daniel Avenue: Jeanette Rule, Dennis Van Staalduinen, Liane Luton, Kelly and Will Egan.

If I have missed anyone I apologize as there were many who pitched in throughout the day.

Thank you seems too little – but thanks anyway for taking part in a wonderful event.

We hope to do it next year – WITH A LOT MORE VOLUNTEERS.

Lastly congratulations to Clearview Avenue the 2025 tug-of-war champs. We’ll see you on the rope next year.

Barbecue & Picnic in the Park – Reminder

Picnic BBQ day is here!!!

3-7 pm in Champlain Park.
BBQ serving just after 4:30.

Hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and sausages. All free (while supplies last).

If you can please bring a salad or dessert to share that would be fantastic. Also a chair and blanket to eat on. Bring balls, frisbees, etc. We have tug-of-war, spoon races, three-legged races, bocci, badminton and a Picasso chalk drawing contest.

See ya at the park!

[DreamStudio.ai Community picnic in the park, with a food truck]