Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy
The City of Ottawa is offering public consultations (virtually) regarding Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball.
Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in North America. As such, demand for court space is steadily increasing across Ottawa, while tennis continues to be a well-loved sport in our community.
The City has identified the need for an outdoor tennis and pickleball strategy, which will ensure that communities across Ottawa have access to both sports. The strategy will also serve as a reference guide for future management, oversight, and development of all public and club-operated outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.
The City will host virtual consultation sessions for the general public on Tuesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 14, 2023. Please send any questions in advance of the public information session to tennis_pickleball@ottawa.ca .
There are two sessions open for registration:
Session #1
Date: Tuesday, December 12
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Zoom – REGISTER HERE
Session #2
Date: Thursday, December 14
Time: 9:30am to 11:00am
Location: Zoom – REGISTER HERE
School Zone Changes on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard
Change is coming to the school zone on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard in front of Terry Fox elementary school.
Up until recently, the reduced speed limit of 40km/h was in effect when the lights were flashing, Monday to Friday between 7 and 9 a.m. and between 2 and 5 p.m.
The city has installed an automated speed enforcement (ASE) camera in that school zone, and the schedule for the reduced speed limit has changed. The flashing lights have been removed and replaced by a sig indicating that the reduced speed limit is now in effect Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., September through June.
The speed camera will issue tickets to vehicles traveling over 40km/h during those times, and to tickets traveling over 60km/h the rest of the time.
More information on ASE is available on the city’s website as well as the province’s website.
Parking-control Measures at Orleans United Church in December
Orleans United Church (OUC) will be putting in place measures to mitigate the parking problems that they have experienced in the past when there are major events at the church during the month of December, such as concerts and Christmas Eve services.
There are two issues: unauthorized parking at OUC by visitors to the Taffy Lane Christmas Light display; and traffic congestion at the Sugar Creek Way/Orleans Boulevard intersection. The following groups are impacted by these issues: Coro Vivo Ottawa, Musica Viva Singers, Le Choeur PLEINCHANT d’Ottawa, French Orleans Seventh Day Adventists and of course the congregation of Orleans United Church.
On the evenings when there are major events going at OUC, they will be deploying traffic-control barricades and signage at the Sugar Creek Way and the Orleans Boulevard entrances to their parking lot. The Sugar Creek Way entrance will be completely blocked off, and people attending the special events will be directed to use the Orleans Boulevard entrance.
What to Expect During a Winter Storm
From Catherine Kitts’ Newsletter
How the City is gearing up for winter
As the city gears up for yet another winter season, ensuring the safety and accessibility of our roads, sidewalks, and pathways for all is a top priority. The winter maintenance program continues to evolve, update its standards, and find improvements to deploy resources more efficiently.
Reminder that crews strive to achieve an initial cleanup of residential roads within 10-16 hours from the end of a significant snow event (7 cm or more). If you have a winter maintenance related request that exceeds that timeframe, your best bet is to first call 3-1-1. My office is also more than happy to help should complications arise.
It’s also important to stay informed and be in the know of road conditions and winter parking bans when parking your car on city streets is prohibited. You can register to receive e-notifications whenever a winter weather parking ban is announced. Visit https://ow.ly/WpSW50Q8OwE to sign up.
CGOWCA Bridge Committee Update
A picture is worth a thousand words. We can describe what a bridge just west of Orleans will look like and the effect it will have, but why not simply show you? One of our Committee members has produced a series of before-and-after images to better convey what such a bridge would do to our community. Here is just one pair:
What Orleans resident doesn’t know and appreciate the Green’s Creek lookout? Sitting on the bench or the nearby Muskoka chairs, taking in the view and basking in the peace and quiet? Well, both the view and the peace and quiet would be banished forever with a bridge, first, during the years of construction, then for decades thereafter, as trucks thunder across the span all day, every day. The noise and pollution might prove to be even worse than the eyesore.
If your reaction to the second image is outrage, please get involved. Our website is a very useful resource. There you will find out whom in the government you should contact to express your opposition, and other ways to help.
The Bridge Committee has drawn up and approved a communications plan to more effectively engage Ottawa’s east-enders to oppose a bridge as we await the announcement of the recommended corridor this spring. We are also submitting strategic questions to the National Capital Commission for its Annual General Meeting on December 13 at 2:30 PM, just to let them know that the public is taking an active interest.
You can attend the NCC’s AGM virtually. The link is Annual Public Meeting 2023 – National Capital Commission (ncc-ccn.gc.ca)
As always, you can contact the Bridge Committee at cgnbridgecommittee@gmail.com.
Save Something Green: 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Be Eco-Friendly
by Rachelle Thibodeau, CGOWCA Environment Committee
Saving money and protecting our environment are both important goals. Big-ticket items like electric cars and heat pumps may be out of reach in these tough economic times. We all know about turning out the lights or putting on a sweater to save on utilities. Beyond the basics, what are some good ways to save money and reduce your environmental impact at the same time?
1. Get free stuff. Online groups like Buy Nothing and Trashnothing let neighbours give and receive items such as food, cosmetics, clothing, tools, toys, and much more. Declutter your own house and keep an eye out for used items that meet your needs. If you need free services, consider a local bartering group like BUNZ or PALZ. Beyond the “stuff,” these local groups are great community builders!
2. Get cheaper food. Apps like Flashfood and TooGoodToGo let stores and restaurants save items from landfill and turn them into bargains for us. Some items are close to their best before dates, but if you can consume it now or freeze it for later, you can get great deals.
3. Eat less meat. Consuming less meat, especially beef, saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint. If this is new to you, start with one meatless day per week and build from there.
4. Reduce food waste. Household food waste is a major problem for the planet and for your budget. For example, throwing away one burger wastes as much water as taking a 90-minute shower! The resources used to grow, package, transport, and store the food are all lost when we throw it out. And if we don’t compost it, discarded food creates methane emissions in landfill sites. Buying only what you need, using leftovers, and composting are all important. Did you know that a “best before” date only indicates “key freshness,” not safety? Most foods past their “bb” date are just fine to consume! When dining out, why not share those over-sized and pricey portions with a friend or bring your own takeout container?
5. Beware bulk buying. Buying in bulk can save you money and reduce packaging waste (if you refill your own containers). Unfortunately, buying in bulk can also lead to food waste (if you don’t eat it all) or unhealthy overconsumption (if you do). Researchers found that buying in large quantities from club stores increases the amount spent on packaged foods and the total calories consumed.
6. Staycation. If your usual vacations involve flying, you’ll have noticed big price increases. Why not consider replacing one trip with a “staycation”, camping, or other closer-to-home trip? Companies like Guess Where Trips offer customizable, packaged trip ideas so planning your adventure is easier than ever.
7. Keep it in your cart. Shopping online has made it so easy to impulse buy for a little boost of feel-good brain chemicals. Try putting the items you desire into your cart for a couple of days, then revisit your decision.
8. Beware the creep. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly upgrading our stuff, also known as “lifestyle creep” or “lifestyle inflation.” But all that stuff takes a huge toll on your time, your budget, and the environment. Even if you can afford it, does constantly upgrading your stuff bring you lasting happiness? Not according to Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos, who teaches a popular class (free online!) called Science of Well Being. She advises spending on experiences rather than stuff.
9. On your bike. Exercise is good for your physical and mental health, and reducing car trips cuts your carbon footprint. Can you use your bike for a few local errands? Or maybe incorporate it into your commute? June will be “Let’s Bike month” in Ottawa. Check out their website for lots of fun and motivating tips to help build cycling into your daily life.
10. Cut the lawn (out). If you are putting a lot of time and money into maintaining a weed-free lawn, consider a different ground cover in low-traffic areas. Search for “plants” on the City of Ottawa web site for advice on native species. Keep the project manageable, starting with a small circle or corner of lawn and adding more each year.
Many of us can’t manage too many changes at once. To make your new, greener habits stick, start small. Once you’re comfortable with that change, add something else. There is a lot that we all can do to lessen the harm to our environment– without it costing the earth.
