Land beside Maplelawn will be used for affordable housing.

Maplelawn is a Classified Federal Heritage Building located at 529 Richmond Road in Ottawa. And the Maplelawn House and Gardens are National Historic Sites of Canada. National Historic Sites are legally protected by buffer zones.

"A representative from the office of the Minister of PSPC said certain features, like windows and the exterior will need to be preserved. By adding 529 Richmond Road to the Land Bank, PSPC will have the opportunity to vet applications and choose contractors that meet certain criteria for protecting the building's heritage."

 "Say goodbye to Rochester Field"

 "NCC looks to revive 'controversial' Rochester Field development though the land bank. The federal government has added the site at 529 Richmond Road to the Canada Public Land Bank" by Catherine Morrison, Ottawa Citizen, November 19, 2024.

"Federal land in Ottawa's west end now available for housing" by Josh Pringle, CTV News, October 8, 2024.

Maplelawn and Gardens National Historic Site of Canada

Address: 529 Richmond Road, Westboro, Ottawa Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. H-4)

Designation Date: 1989-06-22   more

Ottawa city councillor Jeff Leiper is opposed to what is happening. Councillor Leiper: "For over a century, Rochester Field has been a jewel in Westboro. If a plan is rushed forward through City zoning by the National Capital Commission, we'll lose the best parts of it forever. It's time to take a second look."

"Rochester Field is a large NCC parcel that straddles the land from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to Richmond Road. It is a barely maintained space. Through the years cow paths have been worn along natural desire lines as dog-walkers and people walking to the Dominion transit station have used the field, while the rest of it has lain largely fallow as habitat for various flora and fauna. 

Amy's Corner by Amy Kempster Champlain Speaker, March 2004, Volume 23, Number 6: "The land closest to our community is west and north of Maplelawn fronting on Richmond Road. If the National Capital Commission wins their appeal (with the Ontario Municipal Board) they could then ask for a zoning amendment. Their appeal states that this parcel is not deemed to form part of the National Interest Land Mass (Note: The Lebreton Flats are part of the National Interest Land Mass, but thousands of residential units and a stadium are destined for the lot.).In his campaign literature our councillor suggested he would ask the city to obtain Maplelawn field (Rochester Field) for a park, so perhaps he knew it was in danger of disposal."

The Cole and Rochester families sold 529 Richmond Road to the Federal District Commission, now known as the NCC. But the Deed stipulated that the land would remain a greenspace, for people to enjoy in perpetuity. However, 40 trees were chopped down fairly recently and condos are planned for the site.

Green Living Ottawa Practising Urban Environmentalism (Part of the Internet article.) 'We pride ourselves on being a city with an impressive amount of green space. However, unless we have a clear vision, commitment and political leadership to protect these green spaces, they will disappear.'

'Rochester Field is one such space...it is well used by residents as a recreational pathway along the Ottawa River and to the Transitway, as well as a place to run, explore nature, fly kites and walk dogs. The City zoned it as Parks and Open Space, which the National Capital Commission appealed in 2003.' (The park is 3.8 hectares or 9.39 acres, and the article is from January 22, 2018.)