Stanley Park is untouchable.

Why is the Parks Canada Agency not protecting a 1,000 acre site in the heart of the nation's capital.

The map of Stanley Park is from the Federal Directory of Real Property website.

Stanley Park National Historic Site of Canada.

Property Number: 16935

Custodian: Parks Canada Agency

Interest: Crown Owned

Restriction: No Restriction

Primary Use: Parks and Recreation

Address: George Street, Stanley Park

Place Name: Stanley Park

Municipality: Vancouver

Province/Territory: British Columbia

Census Classification: Urban

Land Area: 384.4514 ha. or 950 acres

Building Count: 0

Record Created On: February 21, 1990

Last Modified On: February 17, 2022 (Information is from the Federal Directory of Real Property website.)

Why are historic properties sold to the City of Ottawa and foreign countries:

1.) The Laurier Avenue Bridge that spans the Rideau Canal.

2.) The Mackenzie King Bridge that spans the Rideau Canal.

3.) The Normal School on Elgin Street that is part of Ottawa City Hall.

4.) The home of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald is owned by the British Embassy.

5.) The American Embassy owns part of Majors Hill Park. Majors Hill was a Parliament Hill property. The Americans would never let a foreign country build on the lawn of the White House or Lafayette Park.

 

Agriculture Canada and the City of Ottawa wanted to preserve green spaces.

 The Natural and Open Spaces Report of 1998.

The heritage of the CEF - The Commemorative Integrity Statement for the Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site describes "Messages of National Significance" that should be communicated at the CEF. In summary these are:

• the CEF is a distinctive cultural landscape.
• the CEF is a symbol, in the heart of the Nation's Capital, of the central role of agriculture in shaping the country.
• the CEF demonstrates dominant ideas about agriculture in the 19th century.
• the CEF has made important contributions to science.
• the CEF is a rare example of a farm within a city.
• the CEF is a national historic site.

A message about the contributions of astronomy to the mapping and surveying of Canada in the 19th century could also be added. (From: Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site Management Plan, part 17/20.)

A plaque honouring Sir Sandford Fleming is attached to the front of the Dominion Observatory, near Carling Avenue in Ottawa.

The O-Train corridor near Dow's Lake, Ottawa before April of 2022.

After April of 2022. Deliberate destruction. To the person or entity that is destroying public property, do you not have a soul, a conscience? Do you not care about trees, wildlife, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Canada's history, public domain, the rights of indigenous people, the liveabilty of neighbouring communities or the future of our descendents. 

The Mulroney government refused to give Stanley Park to the City of Vancouver: House of Commons Ottawa February 4, 1986. Stanley Park - Potential transfer of title from the federal government to the City of Vancouver.

"100 years from now the farm will be to Ottawa what Hyde park is to London or Central park to New York."

House of Commons Ottawa March 6, 1959. The Hon. D. S. Harkness (Minister of Agriculture) Progressive Conservative: "...The national capital commission is in the process of acquiring some 4,000 acres of land in the green belt to be used by the Department of Agriculture as an annex to the central experimental farm. It will accommodate the animal research studies..."

"The agriculture department can use and intends to use all the present experimental farm, and has no plans whatever for disposing any part of it. In my view the farm is one of the great assets of Ottawa as a city, and the farm will be increasingly an asset as time goes on. I would envisage that 100 years from now the farm will be to Ottawa what Hyde park is to London or Central park to New York. I would certainly hope that it would not be used for building purposes, and the only big open space in the city thus alienated and done away with."

The Privy Council of Canada document pertaining to additional land that was needed by the CEF.

The Arboretum in October of 1963.

 World War 11 Temporary Buildings are visible in the upper right hand corner. After the buildings were removed, Queen Juliana Park was given to the people of Canada by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's government---for recreational purposes. QJP is now a Civic Hospital property. National Archives photo. 

--

A recent photo of the Experimental Farm Woods near the Rideau Canal Hartwell Locks. The Arboretum Woods and Prince of WalesWoods are untouchable,Google:"Urban natural features strategy City of Ottawa, April 11, 2006---Table 1-Category 1." The picture is from smallpond.ca.

The Arboretum is not a part of a land deal with the federal government.

 

The tall blue fences that are blocking access to the Dominion Arboretum. The fences are utilized for major construction projects, demolition, and when trees are removed.

I am standing in front of a road barrier near the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park, early May 2022.

My niece and nephew in Philadelphia, May 2022.

Is the Arboretum being sold? Translated, the blue sign reads "New project".

 Senator Anne Cools: "The public fears that many other parklands, like the Experimental Farm and the Arboretum are on the National Capital Commission's list for sale." (Senate of Canada, April 23, 2002.)

Gate 5 at the entrance to the Arbroretum on the Experimental Farm. The same blue gates surrounded Queen Juliana Park; the Sir John Carling Building cafeteria when it was demolished and Sylvia Holden Park in Lansdowne Park. 

Sylvia Holden Park - All 165 trees were removed. Videos on YouTube show people protesting, Google "Lansdowne Park tree cutting" and "Tree cutting protest at Lansdowne Park."

CBC News documented the Sylvia Holden Park controversy.

Laws that prevent a medical centre from building on the Farm.

1.)  A 1954 Privy Council Order-in-Council.

2.)  The Farm, Dominion Observatory and the Rideau Canal are National Historic Sites.

3.)  The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with buffer zones. Views of the Rideau Canal at Dows Lake cannot be obliterated by buildings or landscaping.

4.)  Commissioners Park is part of the Greenbelt. The Greenbelt was created by Prime Minister Mackenzie King and Jacques Greber to honour Canadian soldiers. 

5.)  The entire Experimental Farm is a National Interest Land Mass. NILM properties cannot be sold or subdivided.

6.)  The Arboretum Woods, Experimental Farm Woods and Prince of Wales Woods are protected by the City of Ottawa. (Google: urban natural features strategy City of Ottawa April 11, 2006.)

House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1951 Winfield Chester Scott McLure (Progressive Conservative): "The experimental farm is one of the finest beauty spots in this beautiful city of Ottawa. It is a place where visitors and tourists should be taken because nowhere in America will you find a spot as beautiful as the central experimental farm at Ottawa."

Most of the experimental farms in Canada are gone, Crown corporations that operate at arms-length from the federal government, from the people. 

Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario - The National Capital Commission gave 50 acres of land to the Ottawa Hospital Corporation, and several tracts of land along Baseline Road were sold to the City of Ottawa Corporation for a transit project.

Greenbelt Research Farm, Nepean, Ontario - At one time the land mass encompassed 4,000 acres. The 2,000 plus acre farm was transferred to the National Capital Commission for $1 dollar in 1998. ("Behind closed doors, with no one allowed to watch and listen, members of the National Capital Commission ponder making deals with Nortel, battling El Nino and buying the Experimental Farm for $1 dollar." by Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, August 24, 1998.)

Gamelin Research Farm, Gatineau, Quebec - Transferred to the National Capital Commission.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz prevented the sale of Ravenwood, but Upton Farm is gone. A song on YouTube called "Help Save Old Upton Farm" laments the loss of the property.

"Help Save Old Upton Farm" YouTube.

Former Dominion Farms were located in:

Vegreville, Alberta, near Edmonton.

Kapuskasing, Ontario.

Morden, Manitoba.

Brandon, Manitoba,

Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

Rosthern, Saskatchewan.

Scott, Saskatchewan.

Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere, Quebec.

Cap Rouge, Quebec.

Lennoxville, Quebec.

La Ferme, Quebec.

Farnham, Quebec.

Lacombe, Alberta.

Agassiz, British Columbia.

Invermere, B.C.

Sidney, B.C.

Summerland, B.C.

A local Mennonite colony bought the animals and the 845 acre federal property was sold to the City of Kapuskasing.

House of Commons Ottawa May 13, 1960. Douglas Scott Harkness (Minister of Agriculture) Progressive Conservative: Mr. Harkness: "I think my views with regard to the central experimental farm are well known and have been very well publicized in the local Ottawa papers. I have stated on numerous occasions that I am opposed to any of this land being alienated for building purposes...In the two or three years since I have been minister the only construction has been for laboratories for the use of the scientists who are carrying on experimental work on the farm."

 

"Direct public connections from the site to the Central Experimental Farm are not included as part of the Master Site Plan."

In other words, tall fences and security guards will separate the hospital from a National Historic Site that was in the public domain for more than 100 years. It gets worse. "Adjacent properties might be developed as compatible research parks for research not only in agriculture." "The Management Plan includes a section on Public Access and Security that requires security measures 'be put in place to separate public use areas versus more private research areas.'" (From: New Civic Development for the Ottawa Hospital, August 2021., page 58/83.) 

Are you building Diefenbunkers? Taking over the Arboretum for the use of medical staff and recovering patients? Demolishing heritage properties like the Booth Barn for the construction of research labs?

The Experimental Farm is:

• Ottawa's Stanley Park.
• Ottawa's Central Park.
• A museum without walls.
• A jewel in the crown.
• An oasis during Covid-19.
• Canada's Farm.
• Ottawa's Farm.

The Civic promised that the Sir John Carling Building cafeteria would be spared.

The William Saunders Building, Greenhouses and the Azimuth are also in the Danja Zone as well as the trees. 

The parking garage on the Farm.

House of Commons Ottawa June 17, 1961 William Arnold Peters (Whip of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation): Mr. Peters: "No buildings should be constructed on the Experimental Farm except those that are closely allied and connected with the continuation and furthering of agricultural experimental work."
 

A hospital cannot be built on a National Historic Site located in Ottawa.

And the taxpayers of Canada are not responsible for the $11 million dollar cleanup of the Sir John Carling Building site for a municipal project.

"The National Interest" - 1975-1976 NCC Annual Report, page 9/52.

"Up until recent years, the NCC and its predessors were in effect the only long-range planners for the National Capital Region. But as Ottawa and Hull and their surrounding communities grew, other jurisdictions began to assume their own and proper responsibilities for planning. Naturally, administrative conflicts have resulted."

"Under the National Capital Act, the Commission is responsible for protecting and promoting the national interest in the Capital. The objectives and purposes of the Commission are set out in the Act: 'To prepare plans for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the seat of the government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance.'

"It has been argued by some that only municipal authorities have the responsibility for promulgating and implementing region-wide planning in the National Capital Region. The Commission holds that this view is unconstitutional." (Emphasis mine.)

"Provincial and municipal authorities have responsibility for local concerns in their respective jurisdictions in the Region. But their responsibilities cannot be construed as representing the national interest. Neither can they be substituted for national concerns and interests. If Parliament had not wanted to see a national character for the Capital, it would not have created a national agency for that purpose, and there has been such a national agency since 1899."

"An important aspect of this agency-now the NCC-has always been its non-partisan character. The agency has always enjoyed the confidence of successive Parliaments and governments since Laurier's day and progress in the National Capital has never been identified with the policies of a particular government. The resultant continuity and stability are at least partly responsible for the quality of development so far."

"The Commission has functions different from those of a government department. Its special advisory committees---on planning, on design and on property transactions---are able to assess federal projects in the Region from a national viewpoint. The committees, like the 20 Commissioners themselves, are drawn from all regions and provinces of Canada and they give Parliament and the government independent professional advice in the fields of architecture, urban planning, environment, transportation and land use and development."

The Constitution Act, 1867 remains in full force in Canada. Federal Responsibilites:

• national defence.

• foreign affairs.

• employment insurance.

• banking.

• federal taxes.

• the post office.

• copyright law.

• criminal law.

Provincial Responsibilities:

• provincial taxes.

• hospitals.

• prisons.

• education.

• marriage.

• property and civil rights.

• rules of the road.

• age of majority.

Municipal Responsibilities:

• building permits and zoning.

• city parks.

• public transportation.

• collection of garbage and recycling.

• water and sewer services.

• fire prevention.

• city roads and sidewalks.

• licencing and control of pets.

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The National Capital Commission may be prohibited from selling or leasing government property if the Government of Canada receives a petition with more than 1,000 signatures: Senate of Canada May 8, 2002: Regarding the proposal by the National Capital Commission to sell federal parkland near Mooney's Bay to developers-Inquiry-Debate: Senator Noel Kinsella: "Honourable Senators, I would like to make a few remarks with reference to this matter now before the Senate...The matter relates to the National Capital Act, which created the National Capital Commission."

"It seems to me we require a provision for a recall mechanism. Section 10 (4) of the (National Capital) Act, which gives the power to the National Capital Commission to sell lands held in trust, could be amended by Parliament to provide for a review mechanism (if) Parliament or a parliamentary committee...receives for example, 1,000 signatures of citizens from any part of Canada."

Petitions that were sent to the Auditor-General of Canada, by Member of Parliament Elizabeth May.

The Federal Todd Report of 1903."A Capital City belongs to a certain extent to the whole country, and should not be placed in such a position that any one man, or company of men, can have it in their power to seriously mar its beauty, and thus throw discredit to the nation. As a Capital City, the park and open spaces should be numerous, and ample boulevards and parkways should skirt the different waterways as well as connect the principal parks and different public bridges." (The Todd Commission later became the Holt Commission; the Federal District Commission and then the NCC. Frederick Todd was designated a National Historic Person on October 21, 2020 by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.)

The Holt Commission of 1915 was a joint undertaking on the part of the Federal Government and the cities of Ottawa and Hull: "Extensive parks and playgrounds were recommended including the acquirement of lands in the Laurentian Hills for a National Park, and the development of Dow's Lake and its adjacent lands as a recreational centre was strongly urged." (Greber Report of 1950, page 199/395.)

The Federal Greber Report of 1950. "The Experimental Farm forms a central park within a residential area of the City of Ottawa, and its avenues constitute a part of the driveways of the Federal District Commission." (Page 167/395, and a photograph of the site is included.)

The Rideau Canal Promenade includes the Ottawa Locks, the Shaw Centre, Pretoria Bridge, Lansdowne Park, Dow's Lake, the Experimental Farm and Hartwells Lockstation:

The Rideau Canal Promenade.

The Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site is designated in its entirety as part of the National Interest Land Mass.
 The 1,000 + acre property cannot be subdivided or sold and will be owned by the citizens of Canada forever. "These lands are essential for the long-term symbolism, functions, physical structure, and natural and cultural landscapes of the Capital."

"Implicit in a NILM designation is a formal interest by the Federal Government in the long-term use of these lands. Most NILM lands are, or should be under the custody of the Federal Government to ensure they are protected and enhanced. Generally, the majority of these lands are, or will be, owned by the NCC, while some NILM land will also be under the custody of other custodians or departments."(From: "CEF National Historic Site Management Plan", part 7/20.)

The William Saunders Building was never part of a Government of Canada land deal.

 But a video taken yesterday shows crab apple trees, located beside the building, being loaded directly into a woodchipper. And Agriculture Canada employees are trying to salvage what they can. The video is from "Reimagine Ottawa Twitter" and is entitled "90 year old crab apple trees in/nr William Saunders side yard  @ Farm straight into the woodchipper pre-hospital devt."

The William Saunders Building is located south of the blue DARA Tennis Club courts near Maple Drive.The property was not donated to the Civic Hospital, it is not outlined in red. The Civic has indicated that they do not want "irregularily shaped parcels of land"---read the document "NCC Federal Site Review for the New Civic Campus of the OttawaHospital ---November 2016." Page 45/259 "An irregular shape would require fundamental modifications." Eventually the Dominion Observatory and Commissioners Park will be gone. And public access to Maple Drive and Prince of Wales Drive will disappear.

My 4-day visit to Gatineau Park, May 2022.

The home of Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, Kingsmere:

Letter to the City of Ottawa - Save the Dominion Observatory.

Excerpts from the September 27, 2021 letter. 

Hospital Building Heights/Design Features and Sightlines - The current zoning of the past Sir John Carling site allows up to 30 stories of height. We strongly advise that a limitation be placed on the height of the new hospital buildings to protect astronomy viewing from the Dominion Observatory federal heritage campus. This is where most astronomy viewing from the Dominion Observatory can occur. The objective should be to ensure building heights do not block the plane of the ecliptic at any time of the year, in other words the planets and the moon should be clearly visible from the DO.

Atmospheric Air Turbulence and Astronomy Viewing - It is strongly preferred that grass or other natural surfaces are maintained on all the hospital site adjacent to the Dominion Observatory, in order to avoid or minimize air turbulance and thermal gradients. Heat rising off of asphalt paving, cement surfaces or HVAC out-take vents can significantly blur any public astronomy viewing.

Lighting Specifics - We continue to request more specifics from the architect so that lighting is clearly planned and specified in advance, and not left as a last step at the end of construction.

Surface Parking - In our past correspondence we asked to have parking spaces reserved for observatory visitors and users for future requirements. The DOPC can and should be included in this process.

Construction Vibration and Seismic Surveys - In the latest revised Master Plan for the Ottawa Hospital we are pleased to see that there is an intention to monitor construction vibrations, so that they do not cause damage to nearby historically protected buildings, including those on the observatory campus. However, we did not find further mention in the report on monitoring of elements that are underground, such as the telescopic pier within the main observatory building no. 1, and that of the seismology building no. 7 underground vaults. What plan is in place for monitoring these concerns? Will a sensor/seismic reader be placed for example on the telescope pier so that movement can be noticed as soon as possible, with action required to adjust methods during construction to minimize further damage?

Maple Lane and the Observatory's Azimuth - DOPC is pleased to see that there is a plan mentioned for monitoring road salt and its effects to the Azimuth building no. 9 that can cause damage and erosion. We would like to ask again that in addition to the bollards to be installed around the Azimuth Building, whether Maple Lane could be shifted 1 to 2 meters away from this building to give more of a buffer zone.

Impact on Horizon - If buffer zones are to be created to encourage natural surfaces and more tree-scapes, can we ask that DOPC and RASC be included in the process?

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If Bill S-203 had been passed by the Senate of Canada, the Civic Hospital would not have free reign to build medical towers and condominiums on the Farm and the Dominion Observatory would be protected by buffer zones.

Keep your hands off the Arboretum--- Civic Hospital and National Capital Commission.

The following properties and waterways in the National Capital Region are protected:

Airbase Land - Federal, Private.

Arboretum Woods - Federal.

Aviation Parkway North - City, Federal.

Brittania Bay - City, Federal.

Brittania Conservation Area - City, Federal.

By-Pass Woods East - Federal.

Carlington Woods - Federal, City, Private.

Central Experimental Farm Woods - Federal. (The emphasis is mine-savecfbrockcliffe.)

Champlain Bridge Woods - Federal.

Champlain Bridge Islands - Federal.

Chaudiere Rapids - Federal.

Del Zotto Woods - Federal.

Deschenes Lookout - Federal.

Hampton Park Woods - Federal, City.

Hog's Back Woods - Federal, Private.

Lemieux Island - Federal, City.

Leopold Woodlot - Federal, Private.

McCarthy Woods and Southern Corridor - Federal.

Montfort Woods - Federal, Private.

Nepean Creek Corridor - Federal, Private.

NRC Woods North - Federal.

Parliament Hill - Federal.

Pinecrest Woods - Federal.

Prince of Wales Woods - Federal, City.

RA Centre Woods - Federal.

Rideau River Islands - Federal.

Rideau River Park Woods - Federal.

Riverside Park - Federal.

Rockcliffe Park East - Federal.

Rockcliffe Park West - Federal.

Rockcliffe Shores - Federal.

(Google: "urban natural features strategy City of Ottawa April 11, 2006.)

"Where land in a National Environment Area, Urban Natural Feature or Major Open Space designation is in the ownership of a public body or agency, such as the National Capital Commission or a Conservation Authority, and where this property is not required to achieve their interests as expressed in their plans, and where this public body seeks to have the City acquire these lands, the City will proceed in accordance with policies c.) and d.) above. Ontario Municipal Board decision March 30, 2006, under appeal.")

The Dominion Arboretum is located on 86 acres of land between Prince of Wales Drive and the Rideau Canal, and the north-east overlooks Dow's Lake.

The photo is from the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm.

A tripadvisor photo of the Dominion Arboretum.

A Wikipedia image of the Arboretum.

A letter from Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard to Sean Moore, City of Ottawa Planning Department.

 Posted on the Internet July 2,2021. Excerpts from the letter:

 Healthy Tree Cover for a Healthy City-The new civic development for the Ottawa Hospital proposes to remove 680 trees, 320 of which are distinctive, with a diameter of over 30cm. A substantial number of the trees to be removed are to make way for a surface parking lot at the north of the site close to Carling Avenue. While the environmental site assessment provides an inventory of tree species and wildlife, it does not speak to the larger question of habitat connectivity and with the arboretum and experimental farm, or the impact on overall species diversity through the area.

The parking garage - In the northeast section of the site, TOH is currently planning to build a four-storey parking garage. This is not an appropriate use of land across from Dow's Lake. The parking garage will be built upon what is currently a small parking lot, as well as Queen Juliana Park. It will also remove an important section of the Trillium Line Multi-Use Pathway. The parking garage will cut off views of Dow's Lake, and segregate Carling Avenue from Dow's Lake, and, by extension, Commissioner's Park. It will not only tower over Dow's Lake but also over the Dow's Lake Pavilion.

The intention of TOH is to move Queen Juliana Park to the top of the parking garage, greening the roof and providing outdoor space. While this is better than a layer of asphalt staring up at the sky, it does not serve the needs of residents, nor does it sufficiently replicate the current green space on offer.

A park is a destination, but just as importantly, it is a refuge. It offers relief from the noise, heat, concrete and traffic of the city. It is welcoming. It invites residents to enter, linger and stay. A four-storey trek to the top of a parking garage has none of these offerings.

Intensification-Surrounding the Civic will be significant intensification of people through much more development in this area. This includes the Claridge Icon (45 storeys), Mastercraft Soho Italia (30 storeys), Richcraft Sky at the former Dow's Lake Honda (3 towers - 55 storeys, 45 storeys, 18 storeys). In addition to these are the Canada Lands Company projects at the Booth Street Complex and at 299 Carling, the Katasa tower at 265 Carling,and the proposed development at 770-774 Bronson Avenue/ 557 Cambridge Street.

Comments about the Civic Hospital relocating to the Farm.

Neighbourhood Concerns  - Site Location

DesignMy biggest concern is every time I see pictures of the new hospital I feel like I see Mississauga, Barrhaven, suburban London. I don't see something that fits in the neighbourhood....I hope the design will take into consideration that the Canal is a UNESCO site. I hate seeing giant swaths of land at Carling, Champagne, Beech and Rochester taken up for hospital parking.

Transit

Queensway Access

Traffic - Cut Through Traffic.

 Sherwood Avenue.

 Parkdale Avenue.

 Holland Avenue.

 Bayswater Avenue.

 Fairmont Avenue:

• Drivers are turning up and down Fairmont, Bayswater because you can go underneath the 417 to get where you want and now that's like the perfect route to hit Queen Juliana Park.

• Verbally accosted by hospital residents. It has been emotionally traumatic for my kids. (Parked cars) project into driveways, (they) yell at us. (We have) concerns about what is going to happen in the future. My kids have witnessed people yell at us. This happens from the Royal too. We have to talk about the parking and the safety on the streets.

Parking -site parking:

• Every new hospital will look at ways they can actually make money from a site they are developing. Parking is a major component of making money at a hospital. If you ask the people why they are parking on your front lawn its $90+ every month to pay.

Pedestrian issues

• Four schools in our neighbourhood - hundreds of kids walk every day. We need to factor that in.
• I think our seniors need quick access walking - maybe addressed in a different way.

Greenspace - Queen Juliana Park

• It's our greenspace. Please keep it green. If not, give us a decent border of trees so we don't have to look at a parking lot.

• I bought specifically because I can see green while I'm sitting in my living room so your idea sort of blows me away, but the idea of using the park for cultural things like the powwow and fundraisers is very important. It's important for the community and for those organizations. I watch them play frisbee at 7 am and I know they all come from NRCAN. So it's being used. If you start putting a parking lot there, you are destroying a lot of people's pleasures.I don't want to look at a parking lot....Please, don't touch the park.

• It's heartbreaking that we may lose Queen Juliana Park - what will make up for that. What will be the mitigation for that? Will we be looking for other green space in the neighbourhood?

The Arboretum - Arboretum could be in danger. There's a chunk of that that is part of the Arboretum, a lot of rare old trees. It is a national treasure. Will there be some kind of reassurance given that when they go in there, are they just going to clear-cut or will there be some kind of protection for these beautiful old trees? Old exotic trees, hedges by the tennis courts. (Note: More than 700 trees on the site will be clear-cut, the Historic Hedges by the tennis courts are being removed, and the DARA tennis club is being relocated to the roof of a parking garage on Queen Juliana Park.)

 (I am including a lot more information from this meeting.) (Google: "Kitchissippi Ward-Jeff Leiper - Civic Hospital As We Heard it Report Pdf", February 6, 2017.)

People in attendance at the meeting were Ottawa City Councillor Jeff Leiper; Yasir Naqvi, Ottawa Centre MPP, and now the Liberal Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre; Kate Eggins, Director of Communications and Engagement for the Ottawa Hospital; and about 50 members of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association. City Councillor Jeff Leiper voted NO to the construction of a parking garage on QJP, so did Councillors Catherine McKenney, Rawlson King and Shawn Menard.

Scorched earth-a recent photo of the Sir John Carling Building site.

 

Zoning laws that prevent the Civic Hospital from building on the Farm. Part 2.

1.) Entry Zone - Prince of Wales Drive is a Scenic Entry Zone and I would assume that Maple Drive is included in that designation.

2.) National Cultural Institutions - The Agriculture Museum; a museum on the John Carling site to house national seed and insect collections.

3.) Rural Lands - The research fields.

Waterway and Shore Lands - Rideau Canal and nearby Experimental Farm shore lands.

Capital Parkway - Prince of Wales Drive north of the traffic circle and NCC Driveway.

Capital Urban Greenspace - Lands east of Prince of Wales.

Federal Node - Lands near Carling.

Capital Pathway Network - Recreational pathways running through the Farm. See the document "Integrated Network of Recreational Pathways for the NCR".

Pathways along the Arboretum.

1.) Entry Zone - The character defining elements of the Entry Zone are:

• Expansive lawn areas with mature specimen trees and curving paths.

• Long, framed vistas and varied, dramatic topography.

• Overlooks to Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal.

• Roadways designed in the parkway tradition.

Design Directions - "...No new buildings or significant hard landscape features should interrupt the predominance of the soft landscape and the pastoral quality of this zone. The only suitable site for buildings is in the vicinity of the existing group of buildings near the traffic circle that support the Arboretum; a building in this area is only justified in relation to the management and expansion of research related to the tree collection."

"A new structure in this location should be designed and sited to integrate with existing buildings to create a meaningful "family" grouping. The environmental resources of this zone including wetland, woodland and grassland sub-zones, as identified in the City of Ottawa "Natural and Open Space Study (NOSS)" should be protected and enhanced..."

"The sense of open public access into and throughout the Entry Zone is integral to its landscape character and should be improved with upgraded pathways, signage and seating. Introduction of fences should be avoided."

Lawn Analysis: "Lawn is a primary component of the historic landscape character in the entry and core zones...The use of lawn should be maintained as the dominant groundcover in the Central Experimental Farm."

The William Saunders Building and the Central Green. Land north of the Saunders Building is being taken over by the hospital.

2.) A Zone for National Cultural Institutions -  "The historic role of this zone as the meeting place for the public and scientists interested in agricultural research and excellence should be the inspiration for the redevelopment of all sites within this zone to reinforce a sense of a research campus. Initiatives in support of this objective should include:

• Rehabilitation of the NCC Driveway as the 'Main Street' of the Central Experimental Farm with reference to historic photographs.

• Redevelopment of the Carling Building site to become a visitor's centre and to house the national seed and insect collections. (Note: The Sir John Carling Building cafeteria was identified as the venue for a visitor's centre and a museum but the cafeteria was demolished by the hospital.)

• Expansion of the research facilities in the vicinity of the Neatby building, including a major new greenhouse research area.

3.)  Rural Lands - the research fields. "The expansive fields, plots and shelterbelts are valued for the open fields which underscore the agricultural character of the place, and which are essential to an understanding of both the historic and on-going function of scientific agricultural research and to the understanding of 'a farm within the city'. (Note: The City of Ottawa is planning to annex a large part of Baseline Road Experimental Farm land for a public transit project. And during the mid-1970's Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau refused to transfer 700 acres of the Farm to the National Capital Commission for a housing development.. The land stretched from Clyde Avenue and Baseline open fields to Prince of Wales Drive. I am re-posting an Ottawa Journal article from 1974:

The 700-acre land grab that never happened.