Save Our Park (Sylvia Holden Community Park)

Users of Sylvia Holden Community Park (aka Lansdowne Community Park)

The City chose to include Sylvia Holden Community Park in the Lansdowne design process. This has raised concerns for the following reasons:  

1. Poor Consultation

The City passed a motion indicating that Syliva Holden park was excluded from Lansdowne re-development. We now find out that it is included and there has been no consultation with residents. It is incumbent upon the City to sit down with residents to explain.

2. Unknown Layout

The elements of the park may be moved to integrate them into a larger Urban Park. Does this mean that parking garages or staging areas will be located along Holmwood & O'Connor?

3. Universal Access

The Community Park is to be integrated into the Urban Park. Parts of the Urban Park will be closed for large events. Will the wading pool and playing fields be closed whenever there's a concert, football game or festival (e.g. during Bluesfest)?

4. Governance

The re-developed Lansdowne Site may be managed by a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC). Apparently, the Community Park will be operated by the City. How is this possible? What prevents the MSC controlling access or imposing fees?

5. Incorrect Inventory (no dog park!!)

The RFP indicates that : "Sylvia Holden Park includes two baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a splash pad, a play structure, outdoor rinks, an informal sports field and a small wadding(sic) pool and a park support building." The dog park, two sets of swings and all of the the trees are omitted. There is no splash pad nor outdoor rinks. Would the new park only have a splash pad?

6. Will the Park be Safe for Children?

The re-developed Lansdowne site is going to include a large shopping mall and will host large sporting events, concerts and festivals with huge crowds. Will the Community Park be a safe place for children?

7. The Park is Part of our Neighbourhood

The existing Community Park is a central part of our neighbourhood. It was established in honour of Sylvia Holden and it includes commemorative trees and mature trees. How do we preserve this history?

8. Can the City Deliver?

The outcome of the design competition will be an ambitious park project. Does the City have the budget to deliver this project? Or will we only see the commercial aspects (e.g. shopping mall, hotel) be built. The City of Ottawa has a track record of promising ambitious re-development and not following through (e.g. Orleans town centre, Lebreton Flats, Westboro Loblaws). 

Many aspects of the Lansdowne site can be improved, however, the community park works well as it is. Please write to council and City Manager John Smit (John.Smit@ottawa.ca) to share your concerns. Consult our blog (http://savesylviaholdenpark.blogspot.com/) or email save.sylvia.holden.park@gmail.com to get more information and get involved with local residents. The GCA is organizing an information meeting on April 15th at 7:30pm at the Glebe Community Centre - please come out!