By Sandra Milton and Nancy Miller Chenier
Early this year, a large sign was installed on a small mound in Jules Morin Park. The sign identifies the decade-old rink in the background as the “Rink of Dreams”, but the sign itself is creating a bit of a nightmare for the Lowertown community.
In 2012 Jules Morin Park was identified as the first site for development of a community rink to be financed by the Senators Community Foundation and the City of Ottawa. Since the winter it first opened, the rink surface and operation have been managed by community volunteers who contract with the City to be rink operators and to provide maintenance and supervision of the rink and the smaller puddle in the park. (A puddle is an open area with no boards outside the official rink and is usually used by beginners.)
Additional volunteers in the community provide general oversight of Jules Morin Park and other parks in collaboration with the Friends of Lowertown Parks, a committee of the Lowertown Community Association. The residents involved as volunteers promote appreciation of the uniqueness of each park while identifying common issues that can be addressed in partnership with the City.
With so much clear community involvement, it is thus understandable that significant discussion was generated by residents with the sudden appearance of the sign, as well as its location and size. Questions swirled: When was the community consulted? Why was the sign placed on this particular space? Who decided on such a large sign with so many logos? How much did it cost the City to create the sign and to install it in winter?
To date, the questions about the size of the sign and the cost of installation remain unanswered. But some answers did come from the desk of Dan Chenier, General Manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services at the City of Ottawa.
The sign was required as part of a “contractual commitment from the City” to the Senators Community Foundation that “included naming rights for up to fifteen years.”
The “location of the sign was worked out in discussions” with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Foundation, which inherited the naming rights for the community rink.
The “top of the berm next to the rink fulfilled these criteria”: sign visibility and prominence, public safety and avoiding interference with both summer and winter park operations, snow removal and rink operations.
The City of Ottawa claims to encourage individuals and community groups to take an active role in maintaining their nearby public spaces. Lowertown is fortunate to have committed volunteers who want to make their community a positive place to live. Our parks are a key gathering place and consultation about any changes could easily be a rule not an exception. Shame on the City for ignoring our community!
Sandra Milton and Nancy Miller Chenier are members of the Lowertown Community Association’s Friends of Lowertown Parks Committee.
“Rink of Dreams” sign in Jules Morin Park, spring 2023. (Photo: Steve Mongrain)
“Rink of Dreams” sign in Jules Morin Park, spring 2023. (Photo: Steve Mongrain)