Proposed revisions eliminate plans for transforming "People's Park" in Old Ottawa East into a four-lane roadway.
In Ottawa, the long-debated plan to construct a freeway traversing the People's Park in Old Ottawa East is no longer on the table. This beloved greenspace, a stone's throw from the Lees LRT station, has been slated for development as a highway corridor since the 60s but will now be preserved.
The Alta Vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC), originally conceived to connect Walkley Road to the Queensway, was intended to ease congestion in the central-east part of the city. However, after a Transportation Master Plan update in March 2025, the northern section of the AVTC proposal, where the People's Park is located, was recommended for removal. Formal approval is expected soon.
The update notes that a road connection in this segment would provide no relief from congestion due to downstream capacity constraints. Nicholas Street and Highway 417 at Nicholas are already overloaded, and adding another road would further exacerbate the issue.
Capital Coun. Shawn Menard, a vocal opponent of the freeway, recently shared the good news of the park's salvation. After years of advocacy from residents and activists, the community can breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Changes to the plan will redirect the AVTC from Walkley to Hurdman Station, south of the People's Park on the other side of the Rideau River. John McCrea, a long-time resident of Old Ottawa East, applauds this decision, stating that the park is an integral part of the community, which is experiencing residential intensification.
McCrea notes that the park is part of a chain of greenspaces along the Rideau River, including Brantwood Park upstream and Strathcona Park downstream, which are worth preserving. The People's Park offers opportunities for various activities, such as javelin practice, that are rarely found in other parts of the city.
Shawn Menard emphasizes the importance of preserving greenspaces and reducing car traffic, citing high costs and updated priorities as reasons for the AVTC's unfeasibility. Building the freeway would have had negative impacts on the community, including poor air quality, increased public health risks, and the further division of the community.
The decision to cancel the northern section of the AVTC aligns with the city's evolving understanding of the value of a 15-minute neighborhood concept, which allows residents to access amenities within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit commute without improving commutes or leading to negative impacts on the community.
City consultations are set to continue through the spring before potential approval by council. Here's hoping the city will continue to seek alternatives to losing valued public greenspaces and increasing car traffic.
More Stories:- The transportation plan's update not only saves the People's Park but also halts a four-lane freeway plan. Read more about the 2025 Transportation Master Plan and its impact on Old Ottawa East.- For decades, residents of Old Ottawa East have fought to protect their greenspaces. Learn about the community's unwavering commitment to preserving their parks and the environment.- Urban planning priorities in Ottawa have shifted towards prioritizing transit corridors and active transportation projects. Discover how the city is investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to create healthier, more sustainable communities.
- The Alta Vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC), initially aimed at easing congestion, will now redirect from Walkley to Hurdman Station, avoiding People's Park.
- The update calls for removing the northern section of the AVTC proposal, citing no relief from congestion due to downstream capacity constraints.
- Shawn Menard, a city councilor and opponent of the freeway, applauds the decision, stating that the park is integral to the community experiencing residential intensification.
- After years of advocacy, residents and activists can breathe a collective sigh of relief as the park is preserved.
- John McCrea, a long-time resident, expresses appreciation for the decision, noting that the park is part of a chain of greenspaces along the Rideau River, including Brantwood Park and Strathcona Park.
- Preserving greenspaces and reducing car traffic is important, Shawn Menard emphasizes, citing high costs, updated priorities, and negative impacts on public health as reasons for the AVTC's unfeasibility.
- Understanding the value of a 15-minute neighborhood concept, the city continues consultations through spring, aiming to seek alternatives to losing valued public greenspaces and increasing car traffic.
