Newsletter - 3 April 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Fixing the Forgotten Roads: A Safety Push for Rural Intersections
Rural Ottawa has waited long enough for critical road safety upgrades. With the support of Councillors Matt Luloff and Catherine Kitts, I successfully passed a motion at the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to redirect funding toward long-overdue improvements at high-risk rural intersections.
These changes will reduce collisions, improve traffic flow, and save lives. It’s time rural communities receive the investment and attention they deserve.
Ward Updates
Speed Limit Change - Fourth Line Rd
Following a review of Fourth Line Road approaching North Gower, it was determined that a speed transition zone is needed to improve driver awareness and safety. To address this, a new 60 km/h transition zone will be added before the current 50 km/h speed limit zone. This adjustment will help create a smoother and safer speed reduction for drivers entering the village. New signage will be installed in spring 2025.
🚍 OC Transpo Changes: What It Means for Ward 21 – and How We’re Taking Action
As part of OC Transpo’s “New Ways to Bus” initiative, significant changes to Route 283 will take effect on Sunday, April 27. While these changes may aim to streamline service across the city, they present serious challenges for many rural commuters in our community.
🔁What’s Changing?
Route 283 will now connect Limebank Station to Munster Hamlet via Eagleson Road, Brophy Drive, Bankfield Road, Prince of Wales Drive, Riverview Station, and Earl Armstrong Road.
Service between Old Richmond Road and Tunney’s Pasture Station will be discontinued, effectively eliminating a direct express option into the downtown core.
This rerouting removes a vital express connection for many who rely on public transit to reach work, appointments, and services downtown efficiently. We understand how disruptive this will be—especially for those with limited transportation alternatives.
🛠️What We’re Doing About It
Our office is taking proactive steps to address these issues. We are:
Pushing for the return of express bus routes to offer faster, more direct service into the urban core.
Exploring partnerships with private mass transit providers, similar to successful models from 20 years ago, to increase rural transit options.
🌟A Vision for Better Transit
We remain optimistic that with community support and consistent advocacy, we can build a public transit system that works for everyone—whether you live in the heart of the city or the farthest reaches of Ward 21. By improving reliability and connectivity, we can also make a stronger case for extending service to weekends and non-peak hours.
These conversations with OC Transpo are ongoing, and we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
📍 View the new route map here
Proposed Commemorative Naming - Larry Ellis
The City of Ottawa is considering a commemorative naming proposal to honour the late Larry Ellis by naming the pavilion at A.Y. Jackson Park (1102 Bridge Street, Manotick) as the "Larry Ellis Pavilion." Following a detailed review by the Commemorative Naming Working Group, the application has been approved to move forward to the public consultation stage.
Starting April 8, residents are invited to share their support or concerns about the proposed naming on Engage Ottawa. The consultation period will remain open until May 6, and all feedback will be carefully considered before a final decision is made.
Larry Ellis was a beloved and dedicated member of the Manotick community. Widely regarded as the town’s unofficial historian, his passion for local heritage was evident in the many books he authored and through his active involvement in numerous community groups. From his roles in the Kiwanis Club, Manotick Legion, and local community associations to his long-standing contributions to The Manotick Messenger, Larry Ellis left an indelible mark on the fabric of Manotick.
This proposed naming recognizes his extraordinary commitment to preserving the history and spirit of the community he loved.
🌳Registration for the new Plant Your Place! program is now open!
The City of Ottawa is excited to launch the new Plant Your Place! program—designed to make it easier than ever for residents to plant trees on their own properties. Registration is now open!
Through the City-Wide Tree Distribution stream, residents can apply to receive a FREE tree from a selection of 16 native species—available on a first-come, first-served basis. Approved applicants will collect their tree at their ward’s Spring Tree Distribution Event and receive expert guidance on planting and tree care.
This program is delivered in partnership with EnviroCentre.
🔗 Learn more and apply: Visit the EnviroCentre website
📅 Don’t wait—trees go fast!
If you have questions, contact EnviroCentre:
📧 plantyourplace@envirocentre.ca
📞 613-656-0100 ext. 7
Help green our communities—one tree at a time.
🌱Committee approves new rules for Food Gardening in Boulevards
On March 27, the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee approved updates to the Use and Care of Roads By-law, making it easier for residents to plant food and use planters in the residential boulevard—the City-owned portion of land beside roadways, sidewalks, and properties.
These new rules will:
Support local food access by allowing residents to grow fruits and vegetables in boulevards.
Encourage plant diversity, which benefits the environment and pollinators.
Permit raised beds and movable containers, helping address concerns about soil quality and food safety.
To maintain public safety and allow for City operations, setbacks will be required for any garden structures placed in the boulevard.
This change is a big step toward empowering residents to engage in sustainable urban gardening and beautify their neighborhoods.
🌐 Learn more at: ottawa.ca
🌿Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Road: Help Keep Ottawa Clean & Green
The Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Road programs are City-wide initiatives that invite individuals, families, neighbourhood groups, community organizations, and local businesses to take pride in their surroundings by helping maintain Ottawa’s parks and roadways.
As an Adopt volunteer, you’ll contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful city by:
Picking up litter and debris
Sweeping sidewalks and pathways
Pulling minor weeds
Reporting vandalism on public or private property
🌱 Volunteer Commitment
Volunteers adopt a park or a 1 km+ stretch of road for a period of two or five years, with at least two cleanups per year—once in the spring and once in the fall—to promote long-term community stewardship.
🪧 Recognition
In recognition of your commitment, you can request an Adopt-a-Park/Road sign bearing your name or organization’s name. Signs are installed after one full year of participation (with cleanup reports submitted for both spring and fall), and are placed during the spring or summer seasons.
Join hundreds of others across Ottawa who are stepping up to keep our public spaces clean, green, and welcoming!
🔗 Learn more or sign up: ottawa.ca
📹 CAMSafe: Partner with Police to Keep Ottawa Safe
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is proud to support CAMSafe, a new community safety initiative that helps prevent crime and support investigations by partnering with residents and their home security systems.
CAMSafe is a voluntary registry where homeowners and businesses with surveillance cameras can provide contact information and indicate their willingness to share recorded footage with police if requested during an investigation.
This program represents a modern approach to community policing—like a digital evolution of Neighbourhood Watch—by creating a secure and efficient way to build a network of community partners in public safety across Ontario.
🔗 Learn more: ottawapolice.ca/camsafe
📧 Questions? Email: camsafe@ottawapolice.ca
📝 Ready to register? Visit: camsafe.ca/register
⚠️Reminder: Sports Fields & Baseball Diamonds Remain Closed
Although the snow is melting and warmer temperatures have arrived, sports fields and baseball diamonds across the city are still closed.
These fields require time to dry out and undergo seasonal maintenance before they can safely reopen. Using them too early can cause damage to the turf and delay the start of the sports season.
City staff are closely monitoring conditions throughout April. We’ll announce official opening dates as soon as the fields are ready for use.
💧New Grants Available - Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program
The Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program (ORCWP) is now accepting applications for its 2025 grant cycle, offering funding of up to $15,000 for eligible projects that help protect surface and groundwater quality.
📅 Next application deadline: May 1, 2025
Grants are available for 19 different project categories, including:
Nutrient management
Soil protection
Water management
Land stewardship
Education and innovation
Eligible applicants include:
Farmers (rural and urban Ottawa)
Rural landowners
Non-profit organizations working on clean water education and innovation projects
The program is administered by the LandOwner Resource Centre, in collaboration with the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities, and the City of Ottawa.
🌐 Learn more or apply: ottawa.ca/cleanwater
📞 Contact the LandOwner Resource Centre:
613-692-3571 ext. 1136 | Toll-free: 1-800-267-3504
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
Below is a updated list of roads that will be resurfaced or are being impacted by infrastructure work. There may be nighttime construction noise associated with some of these projects from the hours of 10:00pm to 7:00am.
Further updates will be provided as necessary about these projects and other planned road work.
2025 list coming soon
Noise Exemption at South Carleton High School
📍 Location: 3673 McBean St. (South Carleton High School)
📅 Date: May 16, 2025 (Rain Date: June 6)
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
🔊 Noise Source: Live music, speakers, and cheering
🎗️ Rationale: South Carleton High School is hosting its first-ever Relay for Life to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Renewal of 7 Culverts in Ward 21
A major infrastructure project is underway to replace seven culverts in Ward 21, ensuring the longevity and safety of local roadways. The culverts slated for replacement are located at:
Fallowfield Road – 0.02 km east of Munster Road
Roger Stevens Drive – 0.14 km west of McKenna Road
Second Line Road – 0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Drive
Fourth Line Road – 0.06 km south of Callendor Road
Coldstream Drive – 0.01 km east of Munster Road
Fourth Line Road – 0.15 km north of Dilworth Road
Stratton Drive – 0.01 km west of Third Line Road
The project is currently in the preliminary design stage, with construction expected to begin in 2026. However, due to its advanced state of deterioration, the culvert on Second Line Road South is scheduled for early completion in fall 2025.
Starting in late March or early April, the City will conduct geotechnical investigations at each culvert location. These studies will assess underground soil conditions to support the design of the replacements. The drill rig will be on-site at each location for approximately one day, with temporary lane reductions in effect. Traffic control measures, including flaggers and signage, will be in place to ensure driver and worker safety.
For further details and updates on this project, visit ottawa.ca.
Other Construction
Below are other ongoing construction projects and activities that may have local impacts, including closures and lane reductions:
-Multiple Roads on Long Island - Manotick Watermain Link (Phase 2)
A list of current and future construction project plans are listed on the Ward 21 website here. Any immediate or significant construction notices and/or development plans will be included in future newsletters.
**For more information about planned construction projects and road resurfacing plans across the city, please visit the online interactive map here.**
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
City Updates and Events
Ward 20 Bi-Weekly Updates
Welcome to this week’s Ward 20 update! As we navigate this transitional period, our team remains committed to assisting you with municipal concerns, connecting you with resources, and keeping you informed about local happenings. Whether you have questions about city services, road maintenance, or community initiatives, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help!
Upcoming Events
Ward 20 is home to many great events, and you can find details on your local Community Association’s websites and social media pages. Below are a few highlights happening soon:
🎨 Drawing and Painting Workshops for 50+
📅 April 3 – 17 & May 1 – 15
⏰ 10 AM – 12:15 PM
📍 Greely Community Centre
Free workshops offered through the City of Ottawa for residents 50+
Register: ottawa.ca | ✉ osgooderideaurecreation@ottawa.ca
🌷 Greely Spring Fling
📅 Saturday, April 12
⏰ 1 PM – 4 PM
📍 Greely Community Centre
The Greely Community Association (GCA) will be hosting a free family event on Easter weekend
With a lengthy list of activities planned, there will be something there for every member of your family to enjoy!
More details can be found on the GCA's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/greelycommunity
🐰 Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm Easter Egg Hunt
📅 April 12, 13 & 19
📍 2452 York's Corners Road, Edwards
For more details and tickets visit Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm
📢 Hosting an event? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to share it!
Ward 20 Updates
Plant your Place – The City will be distributing free trees to residents across the city for planting on private property. Applications opened on March 31st, so make sure to apply at envirocentre.ca/plant-your-place before trees run out! There are several different species to pick from, which range from 1.5 to 2.5 meters tall.
Outreach Collection for Naomi’s Place – The Osgoode Outreach has been collecting household items, personal care items, and craft items for children and adults for Naomi’s Place and will continue to do so through April. You can find more details on specific items this Resource Centre needs at naomiscentre.ca. While they may not be physically located in Ward 20, this centre provides support to many across the area.
HydroOne Scheduled Outage – There will be a scheduled HydroOne outage on Sunday, May 4th from 7AM to 12PM affecting parts of Manotick, Osgoode, and Metcalfe. While we all know these outages are not ideal, they are necessary to keep up with maintenance on the grid and we all appreciate your patience throughout the outage.
Manotick Legion Senior’s Survey – The Senior’s Survey will continue to be open until April 6th after which the results will be reviewed by the Senior’s Program Committee. Following their analysis, they will be hosting an information session, complete with snacks and refreshments, to discuss the results and new activities. Follow the Manotick Legion on Facebook for more information as it is released.
Stay Connected
Our team is here to serve you! If you have any concerns, ideas, or need assistance, please reach out:
📧 Ward20@Ottawa.ca
📞 613-580-2490
Looking forward to another great week in Ward 20! 🚀
Stay in touch!
I want to hear from you! Stay connected and keep informed by:
📱 Following us on social media – Click the icons below to stay updated.
🌐 Visiting our website: www.ward21.ca
📧 Emailing your concerns: ward21@ottawa.ca
📞 Calling our office: 613-580-2491
📅 Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.
Looking forward to connecting with you!