Lowertown is blessed with a variety of green spaces, large and small. Our parks are a major community asset valued for their positive impact on our physical health and the wider environment. They improve our lives by connecting us across diverse ages and backgrounds. And we are fortunate to have some dedicated residents who have adopted their neighbourhood parks and who keep watch over these green spaces, cleaning up garbage, organizing gatherings and communicating with city officials. The Echo reached out to the keepers of several of our larger parks and is happy to report on the following activities. A shout out to our park adopters: Sarah Bonesteel and Donna Kearns, Bingham Park; Sandra Milton and Nancy Miller Chenier, Bordeleau Park; Ilona Horvath who has recently replaced Susan Kelen, Macdonald Gardens; and the young Rotaract Club, Jules Morin Park.

Bordeleau Park

The Friends of Bordeleau Park also had an active summer overseeing the city park as well as the connected NCC portion called King Edward Park. This green space along the Rideau River was enjoyed by nearby residents, dog walkers, shelter occupants, students from De La Salle and families with picnics. Groups were frequently seen engaged in rugby, soccer, Tai Chi, Frisbee and other activities in the Bruyère Street area also used by dog owners with off-lease privileges. The tennis courts, now with pickle-ball lines, were busy while the dock provided beautiful views of the river. The splash pad and play structures were hectic places, often the site of birthday parties and spillover from the annual  block party organized by nearby Wedge residents. And as a bonus, a night of Romeo and Juliet by Company of Fools Theatre! The Friends of Bordeleau Park will continue to keep watch over this valued green space, including protecting the new trees planted by the NCC from potential winter damage if the park is again used for ice clearing equipment.

Bingham Park

The Friends of Bingham Park reported a busy summer at this historic space named after one of Lowertown’s colourful mayors and operated as a playground since the late 1890s. In addition to a fabulous art fence along Dalhousie Street, the park has tennis courts, a wading pool and play structure as well as a baseball diamond that converts to an outdoor rink in winter. Residents enjoyed all of these features throughout the summer, and took the initiative to organize a weekly evening potluck that proved to be very popular with families with small children. As well employees and residents of the nearby Bruyère site used the park for picnics. Going forward, the Friends of Bingham Park, Bruyère representatives and Councillor Fleury have had some initial discussions about the revitalization of Bingham Park. Residents are encouraged to send any ideas for the park to friendsofbinghampark@gmail.com.  

Jules Morin Park/Anglesea Square

This park, affectionately named Angel Square by former resident Brian Doyle, is located in our city’s oldest public square. It is also the only Lowertown park with a fieldhouse that has room for meetings and small events. And the fieldhouse got a lot of use during the Lowertown Celebration/Basse-ville en fête this summer and will again during Winterfest in February. The NHL size rink, active with skaters in winter, was used by skateboarders and others this summer. Residents and children from nearby schools appreciated the play structure and the angel-wing-shaped pool. The large soccer field was the site of many skirmishes over the summer months. The park is currently adopted by the Rotaract Club of Ottawa. For their fall clean up, nine young Rotaractors scoured the park, enjoying a warm sunny day along with a host of park regulars. They plan to be back again in the spring.

Macdonald Gardens Park

The Friends of Macdonald Gardens was formed in 1998 to protect and preserve this heritage-designated green space. In 2017, the park received heritage protection against development, demolition or inappropriate use. Hopefully the heritage plaque will be officially welcomed with an event in the spring. This year, the Friends group supported two walkabouts by a neighbour who volunteered to talk about the trees, several being among the heritage features in the park.  The park also received new young trees during the spring, and luckily most survived the hot and dry summer. Dog owners continued to enjoy the off-lease privileges in the west side of the park. With support from Councillor Fleury, the Friends had two meetings with city staff and did an annual walkabout in August. One of the topics at this meeting was the necessity for a long-term park-conservation plan as the cornerstone of any future work and investment. Please stay tuned and in the meanwhile continue enjoying what this unique park has to offer throughout the year – including sledding this winter!