193 Keyworth Tree Removal on Citizen Front Page

On the cover of this morning’s Ottawa Citizen paper edition, there is an article about the recent loss of an ancient oak tree in our neighbourhood.

The online version of the article (and not too surprisingly, a few comments too) is available at:
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/urban-forest-champlain-park-residents-mourn-oak-tree

it starts out…

Champlain Park residents outraged after massive bur oak cut down

By Joanne Laucius, Published Oct 28, 2024.

The residents of Champlain Park were shocked on Oct. 21, when machinery moved in to remove a pre-Confederation oak tree on a building site on Keyworth Avenue.

By the end of the day, even the stump of the massive burr oak was gone, said Catherine Shearer, whose lot backs onto the building site.

[… lots of background info and stories, see the surprisingly comprehensive newspaper article …]

“This tree was there in the days of Confederation. It had 150 years left to live,” Johanis said. “There has to be something that can be done to protect this kind of tree.”

[20241029 Ottawa Citizen Front Page with Keyworth Oak Tree Article]

Leaves Wanted for Forest – Update

Here’s an update from Facebook on where they want the leaves dropped off. Also I don’t hear anything about picking up leaves…

Catherine S. says:
The ONLY place we need leaves is the Carleton to Northwestern section.

Ann L. says:
Hi there is there need for bags of leaves for the pollinator garden at the end of Carleton

Catherine S. says:
We would LOVE leaves on the stretch between Carleton and Northwestern … toss the leaves over the fence or leave bags near the ‘tiny forest’ sign.
We will spread them around the trees

[Bags of leaves piled up on the Pontiac Street fence in fall 2023]

Leaves Wanted for Forest

From Facebook…

Ann L. says:
Hi there is there need for bags of leaves for the pollinator garden at the end of Carleton

Catherine S. says:
We would LOVE leaves on the stretch between Carleton and Northwestern … toss the leaves over the fence or leave bags near the ‘tiny forest’ sign.
We will spread them around the trees

[Bags of leaves piled up on the Pontiac Street fence in fall 2023]

Community Association Board Meeting Agenda – October 15

Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
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 for September 10 2024 meeting.
  2. Interim Motions
  3. Community Members Agenda Items
    Cut-through Traffic Problems, Bill Baggs has a few words to say.
  4. AGM Planning: Everyone 30 minutes
    • Finalize agenda – order of guests (Rosaline, Jeff) and reports
    • Assign Time Limits for Presentation, Q&A/discussion
    • Require time keeper as agenda is very full
    • CPCA Board review minutes of last AGM before distributing to members
    • Election Slate and Advertisement; Running the Election
      Everyone is running for their current positions plus Alex and Bill as Members at Large; this is before election call Speaker/Web (Propose to list Task/Role for each Member at Large in brackets)
    • Techie Stuff for Hybrid meeting
    • Confirm who does what: opening the fieldhouse, setting up chairs, etc.
    • Secretary tasks: Collate materials for distribution (Electronic & Paper)
    • Confirming Attendee Membership to Vote and Run for Election
  5. Finance, Membership, Risk Management: Lynne 15 minutes
  6. Planning, Zoning, Environmental Issues: Heather
  7. Park and Fieldhouse Improvement: Joanne 15 minutes
    • Update on Champlain Park new amenities survey
      Timing/Survey logistic options and help (e.g. survey testers)
    • Review proposed survey questions (Joanne/Sarah will circulate ahead of time)
    • Decide on striking Parks Committee/How to proceed
    • Questions from Finance/Risk Management viewpoint
  8. Update on the Tunney’s Pasture redevelopment transportation planning and CPG Stream 1 meetings Joanne – 10 minutes
  9. Report on a drop-in meeting with Jeff Leiper about putting a stop sign on Clearview and Cowley. Richard – 2 minutes
  10. Other business
  11. Next Meeting

Agenda last updated on October 15 at 2:33pm. Please contact the secretary to add topics.

Hallowe’en Fun Run – October 27

via Todd Shannon’s post on Facebook…

Back by popular demand (at least in our household…), please SAVE THE DATE for the 11th Annual Champlain Park Hallowe’en Fun Run!

Start and finish line will be on the east side of the Fieldhouse, near the swings. We’ll get started at 9:30 with the ~1 mile (1.6km) route, followed by the ~800m route.

A few volunteers would be much appreciated to be on-course marshals so that no one gets lost in the haunted woods…

A $10 donation is encouraged (but not mandatory) to participate, with proceeds this year directly benefiting Achilles Canada, which provides opportunities and support for those who are blind or visually impaired to enjoy running and other sports.

Any questions, please ask in the comments on Facebook.

Otherwise, hope to see you on the 27th, and looking forward to all of the great costumes!
[Poster for 2024 Haloween Fun Run]

Workshops on New Zoning Continue + Maps

A reminder from the city zoning people…

Fall In-Person New Zoning By-law Workshops Continue

The new Zoning By-law project continues to host in-person workshops. It’s an opportunity to discuss the Zoning By-law review with members of the zoning team.

There are three workshops remaining, each starting at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm.

  • October 15 – Fred Barrett Arena
  • October 22 – City Hall
  • November 5 – Confederation Education Centre

What to Expect:

  • Display Board Exhibition – Dive into the basics of zoning and key concepts. This is your chance to ask questions and get informed.
  • Roundtable Discussions – Engage in intensive discussions on various topics with planners and fellow residents.
  • No Registration Required – Simply show up and participate.

New 3D Digital Twin Map

We are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking tool as part of the new Zoning By-law review: the 3D Digital Twin Map.

This innovative map is designed to transform how residents and planners visualize zoning changes across Ottawa. With the 3D Digital Twin Map, users can view both the proposed new Zoning By-law zoning and the current (2008-250) Zoning By-law zoning. This dual-view feature ensures that you can easily compare and understand the proposed changes.

Time-Line of Traffic Problems

From Heather…

Island Park Drive and surrounding communities have for many years been expected to accommodate large volumes of commuter traffic, which pollutes our neighbourhoods and endangers our kids. The RCMP cannot keep up with the volume of cut-through traffic making illegal turns onto IPD. Vehicles are backed up to the Scott/Northwestern intersection. From Clearview, some turn and speed south looking for other exits to IPD.

In 1996 and again in 2014, local governments and communities suggested solutions. Several were implemented, but nothing was done to fix the main problem, that two parkways are being used as commuter routes.

In September 2024, the NCC invited local communities to discuss proposed new parkways guidelines.

The CPCA submitted the attached comments to the NCC, c.c. councillor Jeff Leiper.
Continue reading “Time-Line of Traffic Problems” →