New Old Ottawa East Park—Forecourt Park 

Our office hosted a well-attended public consultation session on the Forecourt Park on June 22, where participants discussed the preliminary design concept on Engage Ottawa, and walked through key features with a City Parks Planner. There was a lively discussion concerning the school’s use of the park, and how the space could best accommodate residents and students. A summary of the consultation has been posted on the Engage Ottawa site, where you are also welcome to share feedback and questions. 

The City of Ottawa and the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)—the owners of the Deschatelets Building—have signed an Interim Project Advancement Agreement, marking an important milestone for the project. The agreement enables the detailed design phase to proceed, which will refine the project scope, finalize construction cost estimates, and support the development of the formal construction and lease agreements required to advance the project. Public engagement activities on the proposed community centre will continue once the milestones associated with the Interim Project Advancement Agreement have been achieved, and the concept design drawings have advanced.

Capital Ward Park Improvements

Our office has been very busy this spring and summer delivering improvements to parks via Cash-in-lieu of parkland funds! Most of these projects came as direct requests from the community and have been in process for some time, and we are happy to see residents enjoying the results. Please check out the new amenities in parks this summer, including: 

• Four colourful Muskoka chairs on flexible anchors in Central Park west, toward Lyon Street
• Two additional picnic tables in Brantwood Park between the wading pool and field house 
• Two additional picnic tables in Springhurst Park, one that’s a larger hexagon design near the swingset and grove of trees, and one standard issue table near the dock landing 
• Four interpretive signs in the Brewer Park Pond area which describe the local nature and ecological features
• A plaque describing the remarkable geology of the Bellwood Boulder in Windsor Park, and how it drew neighbors together during the pandemic
• A new bench in the shade facing the play structure at Dalhousie Park in the Glebe Annex

Funds for Cash-in-lieu of Parkland are provided by developers when densifying an area in order to meet resident’s need for new amenities. While the funds are limited, they are one of the concrete ways we are able to satisfy specific requests for park features in existing neighborhoods, which have been historically underfunded in our view. 

Brewer Community Garden—Accessible Circle 

I had a chance to visit the Brewer Park Accessible Circle Community Garden today with Channing.

For many people with mobility impairments, something as simple as joining a community garden can mean navigating inaccessible pathways, difficult water access, and raised beds that weren't designed with their needs in mind. They wanted to change that.

When the former dome garden reached the end of its life, gardeners saw an opportunity. They repaired the old garden boxes to create the Accessible Circle Garden—a space designed to make community gardening more welcoming and accessible. 

With the help of volunteers and a grant from the Awesome Foundation, they launched a summer pilot program. Five gardeners with mobility challenges, plus a local kindergarten class are helping them test the space and provide feedback. This fall, they hope students from Carleton University's School of Architecture will work with them to redesign the Circle garden to make it even more accessible. 

On Saturday July 25 from noon to 1:00 pm they are inviting members of the community to visit (located at Brewer Park Community Garden), and to learn about accessible community gardening. All are welcome.

Linda Thom Medallion

Good news! The city has replaced the medallion at Linda Thom Park after it fell into disrepair and Citizen columnist Bruce Deachman wrote about it. It’s great to see it looking new and to be reminded of Linda Thom's gold medal heroics.

Golden Plunger Award and Public Washrooms

It was a tremendous honour to be awarded the Golden Plunger Award from the GottaGo! Campaign. GottaGo! Advocates for a network of—and signage to—safe, free, clean and environmentally responsible public toilets and water fountains that are accessible to persons of all abilities at major transit stops, key public places and parks to meet the needs of residents and tourists in Canada’s Capital City.

Over the years, we have secured funding to provide portable bathrooms in parks and we’ve extended the hours that park bathrooms are open to the public. We’ve been able to get these improvements in public parks throughout Capital Ward and across the city.

But there’s more work to be done in the city. There are some quick and inexpensive ways we can improve bathroom access in Ottawa, including: open existing bathrooms in our parks, put up clear signage so people can find bathrooms and partner with small businesses to provide public access to their bathrooms. For modest costs, we can also start installing new bathrooms in high-need areas of the city.

We would like to thank the GottaGo! Campaign for all their hard work, as well as Bay Ward Councillor Theresa Kavanagh who has pushed for these improvements, as well.

Learn more about GottaGo! at www.gottago-ottawa.ca.

Coming Soon: Rainbow Crosswalks for Pride Month

With Ottawa’s Pride Month just around the corner, we have arranged with city staff to paint rainbow crosswalks to celebrate Ottawa’s LGBTQ2S+ community.

The rainbow crosswalks will be coming to the intersection of Bank Street and Strathcona Avenue in the Glebe.

Sunnyside Library Washroom Floor Replacement

The washrooms at the Sunnyside branch of Ottawa Public Library are currently undergoing flooring replacements. The existing flooring is in poor condition and due for replacement. One washroom at a time will be closed to replace the floors. The branch will remain open during standard operating hours for the duration of the project; however, visitors can anticipate some noise throughout the project.     

Construction work is anticipated to be completed by mid-August. Each washroom is expected to take four to five days.

Preparing the George Dunbar Bridge Graffiti Wall for Its Next Chapter 

The city is preparing the legal graffiti wall under the George Dunbar Bridge for its next chapter! A regulatory bridge inspection requires the City to remove 23 years of paint layers from the legal graffiti wall to assess the bridge. The wall will close during this work and reopen for community art once the paint removal and inspection are complete. Work is expected to begin on July 20, and pedestrian and cyclist access under the bridge will be maintained throughout. City staff have informed House of PainT of the project and have consulted with this important community partner on the project timing.  

If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Welcoming Goldies Outpost to the Glebe 

A brand-new sandwich and coffee shop has replaced the beloved O'Connor Confectionary (corner of Third ave and O'Connor). 

The sandwiches are fresh and delicious, and they have a wide variety of other goods for sale. They even have the old O'Connor Confectionary sign in the cafe. 

Congratulations to Jimmy and the whole crew for getting this started. 

Route 48 Adjustment

Last year, route 48 began running from Carleton University via Sunnyside Avenue. While this improved bus service, it has presented ongoing operational and safety challenges, particularly with the eastbound right turn from Sunnyside onto Bank Street. To address these concerns, Route 48 will be adjusted to operate between Carleton University and Billings Bridge via Bronson Avenue, Riverside Drive and Data Centre Road, generally following the current Route 111 alignment. This change will maintain connectivity between key destinations.

The change will take effect on Sunday August 30.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Joanna Crilly 

If you have a photo you’d like to share in an upcoming bulletin, please send it to [email protected], with the subject line Your Capital Ward. Please give us your name for attribution…or tell us if you’d rather not have your name shared.

Update: July 1 Extreme Weather Event

Storm-Related Debris Collection

We know many Ottawa residents are still dealing with insurance claims, damage assessments, and ongoing cleanup. That's why, starting Monday, Residents are asked to submit a service request to 3-1-1 when they're ready for flood-related debris pickup. There will continue to be dedicated resources in the highly impacted wards, and the service request process helps us know when residents need us and ensures we're there to support them at the right time.

Recovery Information Sessions

Additional Recovery Information Sessions will continue this week, Monday through Saturday, to support residents throughout the recovery process. The Canadian Red Cross will also continue providing information, referrals, and recovery-related assistance to residents. Canadian Red Cross representatives will be available at the Recovery Information Sessions throughout the week. Yesterday evening, another email blast to the residents who have logged storm-related service requests was sent with the Recovery Information Session information.

Please see the schedule below for session times and locations:

• Thursday, July 23: Ben Franklin Place, 2 to 6 pm
• Friday, July 24: Ben Franklin Place, 2 to 6 pm
• Saturday, July 25: Ben Franklin Place, 10 am to 2 pm

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) Program Update

The Province of Ontario has formally activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for specific areas within the City of Ottawa that experienced overland flooding caused by the overflow of Graham Creek and Stillwater Creek on July 1, 2026.

The DRAO website (Apply for disaster recovery assistance | ontario.ca) has been updated to include details of this activation, including the related Ottawa DRAO activation map (Ottawa DRAO Activation Area). The City of Ottawa has requested that the Province consider whether additional areas affected by the July 1 flooding event may also qualify for activation under the DRAO program. Any decision to expand the activated area rests with the Province and will be based on whether the additional areas meet the program’s eligibility criteria

Residents with questions about DRAO activation or the program can contact the Province of Ontario at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1-877-822-0116

The City continues to update the Extreme Weather Event page on Ottawa.ca with helpful information and resources, including a new video to learn more about how backwater valves work. Residents are encouraged to visit the page for the latest updates, recovery resources, and available supports.

Run for Ottawa Youth Council

The Ottawa Youth Council (OYC) is your chance to run, lead and be the voice of youth in your ward. Work alongside city leaders, speak on issues that matter, and take part in real conversations shaping Ottawa's future.

No experience needed—just the drive to show up, speak out and represent others.

For more information, visit untapped.earth/run-for-oyc.

Ottawa Humane Society Summer Pet Food Drive

Support the Ottawa Humane Society’s Emergency Pet Food Bank and help ensure no one has to choose between feeding themselves or their pet this summer! 

The OHS is collecting donations for their pet food drive and your support makes a real difference to for pets in need.  

The OHS’s biggest need is dry dog food in 7 or 8 kg bags, but any unopened pet food is greatly appreciated. 

Drop off your donations at the OHS Shirley Kearns Memorial Adoption Centre, 245 West Hunt Club Road.

Thank you for helping Ottawa’s pets stay with their people! 

Village Canada—A New Kind of Community.

Village Canada Consortium, led by a board of senior volunteers with a vision, is advocating for a non-profit, intergenerational, age-friendly village on the 23-acre site behind the RA Centre at 875 Heron Road.

Designed primarily for older adults, the village would also welcome students, families and adults with disabilities, creating a vibrant community with a range of housing, services and opportunities to connect.

You can support Village Canada’s vision by becoming a supporter.

Learn more at the Seniors Health Innovations Hub website.

299 Carling Park Design Construction Update

Construction activity will take place at the fenced off portion at the north end of the site at 351 LeBreton Street South as indicated on the map below. The park work is expected to start in late July and take place on weekdays between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, with completion anticipated in fall 2026.

Outdoor Air Quality

Air quality warnings are issued jointly by ECCC and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) when the air quality health index (AQHI) reaches a high-risk range (AQHI 7-10) or the very high risk range (10+). These warnings can range from a few hours to a few days and include when wildfire smoke is expected to cause deteriorating air quality.

Outdoor air pollution can be harmful, especially over a long period of time. Those most at risk include people with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, children, and older adults (65+). When extreme heat and poor outdoor air quality occur at the same time, prioritize cooling down.

Visit the OPH Outdoor Air Pollution webpage for information on how residents can protect themselves from outdoor air pollution, including wildfire smoke, and suggestions on how to reduce exposure. Air Quality Ontario (a website of MECP) has additional health information.

OC Transpo Customer Information Sessions

OC Transpo customer information sessions will take place throughout July and August.

The customer information sessions will be an opportunity for my team and I to engage directly with customers.