Celebrating 50 years of the Glebe Report

Happy 50th anniversary to the Glebe Report! It is inspiring to think of the devotion of community members who have, month after month, year after year, churned out editions of the Glebe Report for half a century – the editors, the contributors, those delivering papers, everyone who has given of their own time to help make the Glebe Report happen, thank you. This paper continues to be such an asset for the neighbourhood, keeping us informed and keeping us connected. Life in the Glebe is definitely improved with the Glebe Report

New Lighting

Along Queen Elizabeth Drive

For the past number of years, many lights have been out along both Queen Elizabeth Drive and Colonel By Drive. This has been a frustrating situation for residents. The lack of proper lighting is a serious concern.

We’ve had a number of discussions with both NCC representatives and with city staff, trying to get a solution and seeking some temporary lights in the interim. The main problem with the lights is an antiquated electrical system that prevented simple bulb replacements for these lights. Further, the design of the globes allowed for water leakage, shorting out the system.

This spring, after much advocacy from residents and our office, the NCC in partnership with the city announced that work would begin on replacing the lights along the canal. Work will begin this year and will be completed in 2025. This will include lights along the roadway as well as along the pathways. Suitable replacements will be used to ensure the lights align with the heritage standards along the roads.

Lansdowne 2.0 Engagement

The city consultation process for Lansdowne 2.0 continues. Having neglected to get residents’ feedback during the last term of council before coming up with a proposal to re-build Lansdowne Park, it’s all the more important that the city hear from you now.

This month, the city has launched the Lansdowne 2.0 Coffee Chat series over Zoom – an opportunity to speak directly to the director of the Lansdowne Park Project. They’re also running a survey on public park space at Lansdowne. Both these engagement opportunities can be found at engage. ottawa.ca/lansdowne-2-0

And don’t forget to visit our website, A Better Lansdowne, at www.betterlansdowne.com, to learn more about the proposal. We have serious concerns with the plan that was developed last year, and we provide important ways the Lansdowne 2.0 plan could be improved.

You can read more about the plan, our vision for Lansdowne and an alternate design proposal from one of our Glebe residents at the website. And don’t forget to sign our petition!

New Trees at Lansdowne

Crews have begun installing large planter boxes along Marché Way and Exhibition Way. The intention of these planters is both to give trees more space to increase their chances of growing and surviving and to better protect them from salt and grit in the winter.

Next year, there will be a new soil cell project outside Lansdowne along Bank Street. The designs are still being worked out, but these soil cells are more efficient at providing water and nutrients to trees in tight urban contexts.

This work will likely take two to three months, so staff want to start in the spring at the beginning of the construction season so that the work can be done without impacting the large crowds at Redblacks games.

During this time, there will be some northbound lane closures along Bank, though there will always be at least one lane open. Pedestrian access will be maintained, as will a temporary bicycle lane.

It is no secret that trees provide tangible benefits to residents – they provide shade and cover, help clean our air and fight the heat island effect of urban area. And they just look nice – that’s worth something, too!

The Mayor’s Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors

Aberdeen Pavilion will once again play host to the Mayor’s Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors. It’s a great way to kick off Canada Day. The event includes breakfast, served until 9:30 a.m., as well as door prizes and live entertainment.

This event will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 8 until 10:30 a.m. in the Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, and tickets for the general public will be available as of Monday, June 5 by calling the City of Ottawa at 613-580-2424, ext. 21245 or by emailing protocolrsvp@ottawa.ca.

Shawn Menard is City Councillor for Capital Ward. He can be reached at CapitalWard@ottawa.ca.