We will never lose Commissioners Park and the Observatory. Despite the fact that:

1.) The Civic has already indicated that it needs more than 50 acres of land.

2.) Sylvia Holden Park was relocated when Lansdowne was redeveloped.

Commissioners Park :"It was built from the 1920's to 1950's on the site of a former lumber yard owned by J.R. Booth. Follow the winding pathways and take in the explosion of colour in gardens filled over 250,000 tulips. In summer, the tulips are replaced by thousands of annual flowers, which create beautiful scenic views with Dows Lake in the background." (A Google description.)  A property on Fairmont Avenue is being renamed Princess Margriet Park and many tulips will be planted. 

3.) The Dominion Observatory campus was originally part of the land transaction between the Canadian government and the hospital: "The boundaries of site 11 were modified to exclude existing buildings including the Dominion Observatory, creating an irregularly shaped parcel." (NCC Federal Site Review for the new Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital, November 2016, page 24/256.) However, "An irregular shape would require fundamental modifications. Rating-very poor."(NCC Federal Site Review...page 45/256.)

4.) Being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Rideau Canal); Classified Federal Heritage Building; Recognized Federal Heritage Building and National Interest Land Mass apparently means nothing.

5.) The city is encouraging the creation of parkettes which encompass less than 1 acre:

 Recreational Land Strategy for Ottawa 2006-2031 - 4-4-2 Parks and Open Spaces - "The City's requirements for parks and open spaces may have to be revisited to ensure that the types of spaces required of developers reflect the need for quality space of all sorts at the right location, and at the right sizes." "Quality over quantity of space should be the guiding principle. Parks don't have to be grassy to be green. One of the many appropriate types of public green space is the plaza. Sized right and positioned at the heart of a community, it becomes a genuine focal point. The city should accept parkettes as part of the 5% parkland dedication." Commissioners encompasses 22 acres of land.

A survey:"A 1998 survey found that 74% of Ottawa-Carleton residents wanted to keep housing subdivisions off the Central Experimental Farm land, and even more (78%) did not want major office or commercial buildings there. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was not surprised by the results, saying that "I think the Central Experimental Farm is a real gem in the city and I don't think the public wants to take open and green space and have it developed." Results of the survey by the COMPAS research firm were reported in The Citizen on August 3, 1998."

August 3, 1998.