News Release
Published on January 25, 2018
The NCC is developing a plan to reconnect people with the historic Ottawa River by increasing accessibility to its shorelines. Canada’s Capital sits at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau rivers. The Ottawa River South Shore Riverfront Park Plan will cover nine kilometres of parkland along the Ottawa River, between LeBreton Flats in the east and Mud Lake to the west.
The NCC is seeking public feedback on the draft plan for Ottawa River South Shore Riverfront Park Plan through an online survey, which will be available between January 25 and February 11, 2018. Following public consultation on the draft plan, the project team will present the final draft to the NCC Board of Directors for approval in 2018.
Highlights of the draft plan include the following:
- Creation of more shoreline park space
- Seven activity nodes throughout the riverfront park, with varied recreational opportunities
- Improved public access to the river
- Public amenities (i.e. public washroom facilities, water fountains, seating and lookouts, bicycle parking, and food and beverage services)
- New and enhanced river views
- Enhanced connectivity between the shoreline and communities
- Safer, segregated cycling and walking paths
- Protection and enhancement of natural aquatic and terrestrial habitats
- Celebration of the area and the river heritage.
Public engagement
The development of the draft plan for the park has been informed by public and stakeholder input, via workshops and public consultations. The online consultation on the current draft plan will be taken into consideration when NCC staff prepare the final draft, which will be presented to the Board of Directors later this year.
Additional consultations with the communities adjacent to Rochester Field and Westboro Beach will also take place in the coming years with regard to design and available amenities.