Vision Zero Safety Program

Councillor Jeff Leiper is requesting our support to implement a Vision Zero Program in Ottawa, to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries.

Two motions are attached, that Councillor Leiper proposes to present to Council. One is for a comprehensive Vision Zero strategy. The other is a proposal to use the Federal Government’s one time increase in the share of the gas tax, which is being rebated to Municipalities, to implement safe cycling infrastructure. Jeff encourages residents to write to the Mayor and Councillors to support these motions, which will be debated by City Council.

Contact information for the Mayor and Councillors is here: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/mayor-and-city-councillors
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Wolf Sighting

This is an advisory to raise awareness of a potential risk to smaller animals and maybe even children.

Description of a sighting on Saturday May 18 provided by a homeowner along Clearview Ave and Patricia Ave, which backs onto the Champlain Woods:

…you mentioned seeing a wolf-like creature in the NCC woods behind our property.
Any skepticism I may have had back then disappeared Saturday evening when [we] both saw what I’m almost certain was a wolf walking the fence line. Much larger and heavier than a coyote (which we often see at our golf club) and certainly not a dog. Perhaps a mix of some sort but definitely a predator from the way it moved through the brush.
The entire area back there is flooded right now and impassable to foot traffic but I wonder if we shouldn’t create some awareness of the risk to smaller animals and maybe even children?

If you happen to see a wolf or other danger, please email info to champlainpark@gmail.com

P.S. Deer were seen in the woods last week. And years ago during a dry summer a family of black bears came across the river from the Gatineau Hills and wandered around Tunney’s Pasture. So we could easily see other wildlife in the neighbourhood.

Garage Sale – June 1

For late breaking news and posts about the garage sale, see https://champlainpark.org/category/community-news/garage-sale/

Kitchissippi Community-wide Garage Sale on Saturday June 1 2019

Start getting those treasures ready!

The annual community-wide garage sale is just around the corner, which is exactly where you hope all those treasures will end up!

The sale generally begins at 8 a.m. and usually winds up about 1 p.m.

Rain date is Sunday, June 2.
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Planting Trees in Small Places

Planting Trees in Small Places: Options to consider when selecting the right tree for you.

Do you have a plantable space in your front or back yard? Do you have a mature tree in your yard that needs a new generation growing up beside it? This pamphlet offers some tips and points you to suitable native tree species. Native species are key because they also support the native insects and birds adapted to them. Some examples are provided here, with a link to 79 native species suitable for Champlain Park. Let’s all do our part to sustain the trees that make this a special neighbourhood.

Daniel Buckles


Planting Trees in Small Places brochure 201905.pdf

Pontiac Planters and Depaving

Daniel Buckles writes:

That was easy! All planters have been picked up, with one water-helper from last year now taking #3 between Alexandra’s herb’s and Lori’s tall grasses (Thanks Kathy). Everyone has the go ahead to proceed when you are ready. Fabulous.

FYI, the Pontiac Ave depaving may occur in September of this year (or later). This does not affect your plans, other than at harvest time. The depaving is managed by Councillor Leiper’s office, with Adrian Bradley as the local association executive contact for this. Jeff has confirmed verbally that the 7 planters will remain in the community even after the depaving is complete (although locations may change).

As of now, I am formally bowing out of the coordinator role. The group information is below, so I will leave it to one of you to pick up the reins of keeping each other in touch and supporting as needed. This might include putting up a notice of progress once in a while to the community association website.

Thanks for your enthusiastic planting and tending. I remain active in the neighbourhood on tree planting and other environment projects. Cheers, Daniel

Planter Assignments:

  1. Heather Pearl
  2. Alexandra Evershed
  3. Kathy Choquettee
  4. Lori Kibbee
  5. Lianne Bellisario
  6. Kelly Wiles
  7. Lauren Simon

Champlain Park Emergency Preparedness

We need your help: Champlain Park Emergency Preparedness

Many residents in the Ottawa region are dealing once again with rising flood waters from heavy spring snow melt. Last summer, tragedy struck many when 6 tornadoes caused extensive damage throughout the region and cut off power to most parts of the City for extended periods. Battery backup for cell towers died in a couple of hours. Had the power outage lasted more a few more days, land lines also would have failed and hospital generators might have run out of fuel or might not have been able to keep up with demand.

We can’t know when the next natural disaster will hit or when but it makes good sense to be well prepared.

How can you help?
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Flooding Status in Champlain Park

As mentioned in a post on Facebook by our city councillor Jeff Leiper, sewer overload warnings have been delivered to the appropriate houses (a flyer or fire department visit); if you didn’t get one then there’s no worry about keeping usage down.

The Pontiac and Keyworth sandbag wall should be okay; the water won’t be rising too much and should mostly affect low driveways there.

Also the Patricia sewer overflow seems to be mostly ground water coming from upstream (higher water pressure). I assume it’s better to let it flow out there than filling the pipes.

Pontiac and Keyworth Sandbag Wall in the Rain and Sleet