Weekly newsletter: March 3, 2026
Hi everyone!
There are 17 days until spring begins, but it looks like we might have to make it through a few days of lousy Smarch weather first. Don’t forget to spring forward on Sunday March 8 at 2:00 am, as daylight savings time begins!
Have you noticed there are no more public service announcements for changing smoke alarm batteries alongside daylight saving starting and ending? Most modern smoke alarms draw less energy and either require annual battery changes or have sealed 10-year batteries. However, it’s still a good opportunity to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Disc golf
Baskets proposed at Calaveras, Chapman Mills, and Oldfield parks.
Based on requests from the community, including at my virtual town hall last year, parks planning staff have proposed disc golf baskets at three Barrhaven East parks: Calaveras, Chapman Mills, and Oldfield.
The proposed sites are not large and are meant for practice, learning, and light back-and-forth play. Full games can be played at the disc golf courses in and around Ottawa, such as at Beaverbrook Park in Kanata, Centrepointe Park in Nepean, and others listed by the Ottawa Disc Golf Club↗.
The likely funding source is an account made of fees paid through development applications for local parks (known as cash-in-lieu). However, please note the project is not yet approved or funded.
Maps of each park are shown below. Each proposed location includes two baskets about 30 metres apart and were selected based on the availability of trees and vegetation behind the basket location to limit errant discs.
Let me know what you think by Friday March 20 by replying to this newsletter or by emailing me at Wilson.Lo@ottawa.ca! block.
Weekend water rescue
No ice is safe ice.
On Saturday February 28 at 1:18 pm, a 9-1-1 call reporting a dog falling through the ice on the Rideau River near the Vimy Bridge was received. The caller advised they could still see the dog, which was partially submerged and clinging to an ice shelf with its front paws.
Upon arrival at 1:25 pm, the Ottawa Fire Services Ice Rescue Team confirmed visual contact with the dog. Crews also identified a bystander who had attempted to rescue the animal and fell through the ice themselves.
The rescue team established a tethered rescue system and deployed a rescue sled onto the ice. The bystander was rescued first, followed by the dog. Both were safely brought back to shore at 1:29 pm and were cleared by paramedics at 1:40 pm.
As we get closer to spring and temperatures rise and fluctuate, please stay off waterways. Ice conditions can change rapidly and without warning, and incidents like the above can always (and have) turn out worse, especially if the water has a current.
Thank you to the Ottawa Fire Services and Ottawa Paramedic Services for their swift response!
Bite-sized updates
Sorted alphabetically. New or updated items marked with an asterisk (*).
Beatrice/Queensbury (stop 3345) bus shelter – Installation tentatively scheduled for the spring.
*Beryl Gaffney Park cricket pitch – Public feedback for the proposed project in Barrhaven West accepted via EngageOttawa↗ page until March 11. See last week’s newsletter for more information about the proposal.
*Daylight saving time – Remember to spring forward by an hour on Sunday March 8 at 2:00 am!
Deerfox Drive closure – Deerfox between Ryland and Woodroffe will be closed until Friday, March 13, for a private development-related water connection.
Development application, 3400 Woodroffe↗– The City received an application to construct 160 homes divided amongst stacked townhouses, back-to-back townhouses, and traditional townhouses. The developer is seeking rezoning to permit the desired density. Given public interest in the file, I am organising a public information session. Details to come.
Kindergarten registration – Now open for the four public school boards. Please contact the individual schools, boards, or trustees for further information.
Police office hours – South District officers are testing out open office hours as an added form of community outreach. Officers will be upstairs at the Walter Baker Sports Centre from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm every other Thursday, with their next day on March 5. No registration or scheduling needed.
*Property taxes – Interim property taxes are due on March 19. See Ottawa.ca↗ for more information and payment methods.
Recycling – Friendly reminder that all recycling inquiries, including service issues and replacement bin requests should be directed to Miller Waste at 1-888-852-2374 or Area2@MillerWaste.ca. Garbage, green bin, and yard waste remain responsibilities of the city.
Vacant unit tax – The deadline to complete the VUT declaration is March 19, 2026. Homeowners may complete their declaration through their ServiceOttawa account↗, at Ottawa.ca/VUT↗, by calling 613-580-2444, or in person at Ben Franklin Place or City Hall. Letters with access codes were delivered.
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Have a great week ahead!
-Wilson