As part of the Building LeBreton project, the NCC is improving public places and spaces for everyone. As such, we are reinvesting proceeds from development into the public realm at LeBreton Flats.
The following projects make it easier to access LeBreton Flats and create new ways to learn about the project on-site. They are flexible and adaptable, allowing us to test different uses, collect feedback, and adapt to changing needs and opportunities.
Public art installation
In 2023, we partnered with Canadian Heritage to display a unique and eye-catching public art piece at LeBreton Flats. The piece was originally installed for one year, but has now been extended until June 2025.
The artwork is titled When the Rubber Meets the Road (2018) and was created by Canadian artist Gerald Beaulieu. It is located along the LeBreton Flats Pathway west of the parklet area.
The artwork depicts a large crow lying flat on the ground in a way that resembles roadkill, symbolizing the collision between human and natural worlds. Beaulieu constructed the crow from old tires to refer to the harm caused by commuter culture as well as the crow’s role as a scavenger of urban waste.
The artwork invites us to reflect on how we impact our environment and the creatures that inhabit our shared spaces.
Parklet seating area
In 2023, we installed a new parklet at the Flats, along the LeBreton Flats pathway, west of the Pimisi O-Train station. The parklet has modular seating, shade and information panels.
The furniture is made of sustainable materials such as wood and steel. Each seating set has colourful aluminum umbrella “flowers” to provide shade. Information panels about the Building LeBreton Project and the LeBreton Flats Master Concept Plan has been added to the aqueduct lookout areas along the pathway.
LeBreton Flats Pathway
In 2021, we built a new pathway connecting the Capital Pathway along the Ottawa River to the Pimisi and Bayview O-Train stations.
This was the first public realm improvement completed as part of the Building LeBreton project. Thousands of pedestrians, cyclists and cross-country skiers have used the pathway since it opened.
