The Manor Park sidewalk debate

Good morning! 

I am feeling refreshed after what was a great long weekend!

On Friday the Ottawa Lookout and Capital Eats team hosted our first dinner which sold out and was attended with rave reviews. A big thank you to Kitchen Maroo for the fabulous food and to Ralf for organizing such a well put together event. We can’t wait to do more events like this in the future. 

It also has us thinking about perhaps holding some Q and A’s panels on issues impacting Ottawa. If this is something you might be interested in, or have an idea in mind, please email me. We’d love to create a space where readers can ask questions and engage with the stories that are impacting this Capital city most.  

But what was definitely the highlight of the last few days was my partner Jack and I deciding to propose to each other on the same day — our anniversary. I could not think of anyone else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. 

So I guess this means it’s time to start planning a wedding. Know any relatively small and affordable venues? Please reach out and let me know. I have been told you need to book these things a year in advance!

Let’s get to today’s headlines.

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected], X: @Charlie_Senack

If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Wednesday: 28 🌡️ 17 | 🌧️

Thursday: 29 🌡️ 18 | 🌧️

Friday: 29 🌡️ 20 | 🌤️

THE LOOKOUT RECOMMENDS

A perfect meal?: I stopped by the new restaurant Le Petit Primrose over at 60 Rue Bégin in Gatineau this weekend. Our food editor, Ralf, also visited there earlier in July. I’ll leave it with him to provide a full review (subscribe here to get it) ,but it would not surprise me if Primrose starts getting more attention in the coming months and years. The meal was delightful, the wine choices spot on, and each dish well thought out. — Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

ICYMI: We’re prepping a new story soon on Lansdowne. If you need a refresher, we’ve written a few stories on the topic, including a comparison of Lansdowne and the future area at LeBreton Flats and why a councillor has been calling for a referendum on Lansdowne 2.0. 

Weekend festivities: We’re keeping an eye on a few events this weekend that you’ll want to check out, including the Navan Fair, Great India Festival and for all you book lovers, the All Things Bookish Market

Cheers: Ralf has a new wine newsletter edition coming out soon, so be sure to subscribe to get the next set of affordable recommended wines.

CITY

A growing divide: Should sidewalks be built in Manor Park?

For decades, the sprawling lawns of Manor Park's expensive detached homes have stretched to the roads, providing an open, park-like feel. The popular post-war design choice in the 1940s came at a time when walkability wasn’t considered in urban planning, and the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods wasn’t even on anyone’s radar.   

But now the city is looking to undertake an integrated road, sewer and water main rehabilitation project, which would pave over some of that greenspace with sidewalks. 

The infrastructure work would be confined to one side of the following streets: Arundel Avenue, from Farnham Crescent to St-Laurent Boulevard; Braemar Street, from Ava Road to Arundel Avenue; Farnham Crescent, from Ava Road north to the dead end; Finter Street, from St-Laurent Boulevard to the dead end; Jeffrey Avenue, from St-Laurent Boulevard to Braemar Street; and Kilbarry Crescent, from Sandridge Road to Ava Road.

But the idea is causing quite the stir in what is usually a quiet east end suburb. 

Peter Burpee is one of many who say Manor Park is a safe community, planned without sidewalks in the first place. He has been handing out “no sidewalk” lawn signs to his neighbours, which urge the city not to “pave paradise.” 

“Significant changes could be made to the traffic flow to calm the traffic [rather] than putting in sidewalks. Sidewalks really detract from the safety and connectivity of the community. The proposal for sidewalks is to connect sidewalks throughout the whole community. But, we are a self-contained residential area, wide-opened streets, designed as a connected, safe community 75 years ago and functioning well,” Burpee told CTV. 

The new pedestrian walkways are part of an updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which prioritizes sidewalks in new development and road reconstruction projects. 

During a community info session on July 30, a city staff presentation also said the plans aim to create “a safe, accessible, and well-connected pedestrian network linking homes to schools, parks, transit, and shops.”

Currently, 43.4 per cent of Ottawa residents’ trips are made using sustainable transportation. However, the demand for connectivity is expected to grow as Ottawa reaches a population of 1.4 million by 2046. That will lead to an additional 1.2 million daily trips — about half of which will occur in vehicles. 

The Manor Park Community Association did not respond to the Lookout’s repeated requests for an interview, but its president told the Ottawa Citizen that while she isn’t taking a stand, she understands the community's frustrations. 

“The neighbourhood has been saying that we don’t want sidewalks because we feel that it’s perfectly safe the way it is,” said Natalie Belovic, who is also a real estate agent. “We’ve been trying to get the city to install sidewalks in areas where they’re badly needed.”

One of those places is Braemar Street in front of Manor Park Public School. 

Sidewalks would help with future development, says environment committee

The Manor Park Environmental Sustainability Committee appeared to endorse the project on Facebook. 

“Manor Park Estates has large amounts of land in both MP North and MP South slated for redevelopment over the coming decades. Their official plan amendment passed the city council a few years ago, so they are already approved to build thousands of new residential housing units, including in mid-rise and high-rise buildings,” the Facebook post read. “All of the land they will be redeveloping at some point in the next two to three decades in Manor Park North is within two to three blocks of the streets proposed to have sidewalks and traffic calming. It is important to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity for sidewalks now and prepare the area for the future.”

The group also said it was important to bring older parts of Ottawa, which lack modern infrastructure, up to current accessibility and safety standards.

Non-profit organization Ecology Ottawa agrees. In an article posted to the group's website, Eugenie Waters — a Manor Park resident who chairs its Environmental Sustainability Committee — wrote that it’s time the city adhered to its policies, which were developed after years of work, consultation, and approval by the Ottawa city council. 

“The city has already highlighted that tree protection will be a priority, and installing sidewalks during ongoing construction is cost-saving. Any loss of green space will be offset by the creation of safer streets, which promotes more sustainable modes of transportation,” wrote Waters. 

“Finally, multiple community members, including those in the disability community, have spoken up about their own difficult transportation experiences in the neighbourhood. If preserving ‘neighbourhood character’ means excluding people with disabilities — 27 per cent of Canadians — aren’t our priorities backward?”

Ecology Ottawa fears the public pushback could derail the project. It referenced a 2018 sidewalk project in Orléans that was scrapped after similar pushback from residents who said they didn’t want the crossings going through their driveways. At the time, Innes Ward Coun. Jody Mitic said almost every resident on the street signed a petition opposing the idea. 

Then, in 2023, there was opposition towards a proposed overpass at the Orléans light rail station. Orléans West-Innes Coun. Laura Dudas said it was a safety risk and a recipe for gridlock in her community. The design stuck bike lanes directly through the path of pedestrians exiting buses. 

In response, the city said modifications were not impossible, but Michael Morgan, the director of the city's rail construction program, said it “would be a costly variation that would impact the project schedule and conflict with the results of previous public consultation efforts.” 

Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward Coun. Rawlson King’s office said he was unavailable for an interview but provided a statement saying no final decisions have been made. King has previously said he supports the TMP and noted that the July 30 public info session was held to help the community better understand the sidewalks' purpose. 

“Community input will help shape the outcome. I issued a survey to better understand residents’ views, and I’ve asked City staff to review whether sidewalk installation could be deferred under exceptional circumstances,” wrote King. 

For now, construction is expected to be completed by the fall or winter of 2026, costing $18.9 million.   

Social media giants have blocked us from posting on many channels. To help other discover this story, you can copy this link and share on Facebook, Twitter and Bluesky.

SPONSORED BY FRANCESCO CAMPANILE PSYCHOTHERAPY

Ottawa Psychoanalytic Group Therapy

People seek psychotherapy to change, whether to relieve suffering or gain deeper self-understanding. But true transformation is challenging because psychological symptoms and relational patterns constitute a delicate compromise between our inner and interpersonal worlds.

Psychoanalytic group therapy provides a supportive and respectful environment in which to change and resolve internal and interpersonal conflicts by exploring the unconscious thoughts and emotions of group members. Group participants feel less alone and more understood thanks to the group's feedback and the analyst's interpretation, which promotes personal awareness and growth.

The group is led by Francesco Campanile, a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario experienced in interpersonal psychoanalysis.

If this resonates with you, visit our website for details and book an intake session here.

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

6:32:46

That’s how long it took the fastest woman competitor to finish the Ottawa Ironman. Aliisa Heiskanen of Gatineau joined approximately 3,000 other athletes for the 3.8-kilometre Ottawa River swim, 80-kilometre bike ride around the city's parkways and 42.2-kilometre run through the downtown core. Read more. [CTV]

THE AGENDA

 🥕 A combination of heat waves and minimal rain is wreaking havoc on agriculture, and local farmers are warning that consumers may see the impact at Ottawa-area farmers markets and grocery stores. Read more. [CBC]

🚆 There are a series of upcoming O-Train service interruptions, including reduced east-end service on Line 1, no Line 1 service on the morning of August 31, and reduced Line 2 frequency in evenings towards the middle of the month. Read more. [CTV]

🍹 Construction season will impact patio season in the ByWard Market, leaving restaurant owners concerned about their bottom line. Local restaurateurs are asking the NCC to delay their plans, but the NCC says that construction can only take place at certain times during the year. Read more. [CBC]

🚓 Ottawa police are looking for two white women with long dark hair, one with glasses and one without, in connection with a reported early-morning assault in a parking lot outside a business in the 300 block of Montreal Road on July 6th. Read more. [CTV]

👮 At a disciplinary hearing, an Ottawa police constable has been demoted after pleading guilty to slapping a colleague’s butt and making sexually suggestive comments to her. Read more. [CTV]

HOME OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY ROYAL LEPAGE PERFORMANCE REALTY

True 3 bedroom condo in the heart of downtown Ottawa

Welcome to this very generously sized 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offering over 1200 square feet of comfortable urban living. Versatile and generous, it allows for designated dining, relaxed living, and additional outdoor living with southern exposure. Enjoy a walker's and cyclist's paradise, steps to the LRT, Ottawa River pathways, parks, the future central library, Parliament Hill, restaurants, the NAC and more. A caring community with a diverse range of demographic ages and employment backgrounds.

OTTAWA ARTS GUIDE

Performance

Hamilton the musical is back in Ottawa and the team at Apt613 interviewed one of the actors to explain what it’s like being in the show. 

Speaking of musicals, Love You Wrong Time is a hilarious show about Asian women and the stereotypes they face. On from Aug. 14-16 at Fourth Stage. 

Movies 

Over at Bytowne they’ve got a lovely list of movies this week, including Singin’ in the Rain, horror movie Together, cult classic The Fly and, all you cat fans will love this one: the 2025 Cat Video Fest. 

Not to be outdone, Mayfair has some classics like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights and Magnolia, and Michael Mann’s classic Thief. 

Art

The opinion pages of the Ottawa Citizen are calling for a Graffiti Art Gallery in the city. Sounds like a lovely idea!

One show we haven’t previewed in our art section is Sight, Not Seeing, a series on Black artists grappling with the tention of being visible and invisible. On at the Ottawa Art Gallery until Aug. 10. 

If you haven’t done 3 to See at the National Gallery, it’s a 30 minute exploration of one theme through three artworks, with both French and English tours. 

Music

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road plays Red Bird on 6 August. Join the North Carolina bluegrass prodigy as part of Bluegrass Wednesdays as he blends Appalachian tradition with modern innovation. Tickets $20.

Irish Moutarde hits Dominion Tavern on 8 August. This 7-member Celtic punk powerhouse from Quebec City performs their signature blend of Irish punk. Tickets $15.

Lauren Bush performs at Art House Cafe on 8 August.  See the acclaimed jazz vocalist, praised by DownBeat Magazine for her exceptional phrasing and scatting prowess. Tickets $15.

Akeem Oh performs at Club SAW on 9 August. The indie-pop artist blends classic melodies with modern alt-cool kicking off the "Under The Stars" series. Tickets from $15.

Lazzy Lung rocks House of Targ on 9 August. Originally based in Beirut, come for gritty heartfelt rock performed with raw energy. Tickets $15.

Listings for music shows are provided by OttawaGigs.ca, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The schedule for Buskerfest, running from August 8-10 is now available online. [Buskerfest]

• The Friends of the Farm is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator and Events Director. If you love the Farm, Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens, join us! [Sponsored]

• This new Indonesian restaurant in the Glebe has some talent behind the kitchen. 

• Sewers are invited to get together at the next Stitch, Hook, & Knit Social on August 22. [Reddit]

• One Ottawa Redditor is compiling a list of free infant playgroups. [Reddit]

• There are several free movies playing at Ottawa libraries this week, including Amelie, FUBAR, and Star Wars sequels. [Ottawa Public Library]

MAGE OF THE DAY

The Casino du Lac-Leamy fireworks as seen from the ByWard Market on Aug. 6.

ON THIS DAY

August 6, 1937: Gloucester township council passed a new bylaw which would change the speed limit on many local roads from 50 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour. Roads with the speed change included parts of Montreal Road, McArthur Road, and Cyrville Road. 

August 6, 1966: The Ottawa Citizen wrote: “Three youthful construction workers were almost broiled alive when a high-pressure steam pipe burst, turning a narrow tunnel at the new Ottawa rail station into a seething hell.”

• The three teens, ranging from 14 to 18 years old, were sent to the Ottawa General Hospital with third-degree burns over most of their bodies. Jacques Alberti of 240 Carillon Street was listed in critical condition, with the other two in serious condition. 

August 6, 1975: The Carleton Board of Education said it would not chip in to help purchase the Nivens Woods Conservancy, a 17-acre woodlot in Gloucester Township. It was considering contributing $10,000 towards the purchase to be used as an educational facility.

OTTAWA GUESSER