Hands Off Our Park

The City chose to include Sylvia Holden Community Park in the RFP. This has raised concerns with residents for the following reasons:

1. Poor Consultation
The only public meeting held with local residents was on 28-SEP-2009 and the people had no opportunity to ask questions. At that point, the City assured residents that the park was excluded. Now, we find out that it is included and know little about what will become of it. It is incumbent upon the City to sit down with residents to explain.

2. Unknown Layout
The elements of the park may be moved around to integrate them into a larger Urban Park. Does this mean that parking garages or staging areas will be located along Holmwood & O'Connor?

3. Universal Access
The Community Park is to be integrated into the Urban Park and parts of the Urban Park will be closed when large events are held at Lansdowne. Will the wading pool and playing fields be closed whenever there's a concert, football game or festival (e.g. during Bluesfest)?

4. The Park is Part of our Heritage
The existing Community Park is a part of the heritage of the neighbourhood. It was established in honour of Sylvia Holden and it includes commemorative trees and mature trees. How do we preserve this history?

5. Governance
The re-developed Lansdowne Site may be managed by a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC). Apparently, the Community Park will continue to be operated by the City. How is this possible if the Community Park is integrated into the Urban Park? What prevents the MSC controlling access or imposing fees?

6. Incorrect Inventory (no dog park!!)
The RFP indicates that : "Sylvia Holden Park includes two baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a splash pad, a play structure, outdoor rinks, an informal sports field and a small wadding [sic] pool and a park support building." The inventory omits the dog park, two sets of swings and all of the the trees. And there is no splash pad nor outdoor rinks. Will the new park have a splash-pad instead of a real wading pool?

7. Will the Park be Safe for Children?
The re-developed Lansdowne site is going to include a huge shopping mall and will host large sporting events, concerts and festivals with huge crowds. Will the Community Park continue to be a safe place for children?

8. Is the City able to Deliver?
The outcome of the design competition will be an ambitious park project. Does the City have the budget to deliver this project? Or will we only see the commercial aspects (e.g. shopping mall, hotel) be realized. The City of Ottawa has a track record of promising ambitious re-development and not following through (e.g. Orleans town centre, Lebreton Flats, Westboro Loblaws).

Many aspects of the Lansdowne site can be improved - however - the community park works well as it is. Please write to council and John Smit, city manager in charge of the redevelopment project, to share your concerns.

The GCA is organizing an information meeting on April 15th at 7:30pm at the Glebe Community Centre - please come out!