Weekly newsletter: October 14, 2025
Hi everyone!
I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with family, friends, or those you care about. I don’t think we could have asked for better weather!
My wife and I had something extra to be thankful about this Thanksgiving, as we welcomed our first child, Wesley, on Sunday. He also has the fortune of being the first grandchild on both sides of our family!
Baby and mom are healthy and resting. We are so happy he’s finally here and are looking forward to this chapter of our lives!
A huge thank you to the nurses, doctors, and staff at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital’s childbirth centre for the incredible care and support that was provided.
Waste collection at parks – addendum
Waste collection at parks in the winter to remain unchanged, but opportunities exist to improve winter availability.
In relation to last week’s newsletter item about the new waste collection strategy for the City’s parks, I received several questions on winter operations within the new strategy.
To recap, one of the major changes is the introduction of three-stream waste collection to all major parks with sports fields across Ottawa staged over the next four years (2026 to 2029). Two parks per ward will receive new bins next year, followed by four parks per ward annually in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Parks not on that list but with an off-leash dog designation will receive organics collection, while all garbage containers will be redesigned to be larger and easier to service, as well as address issues of odour and pests (eg. adding lids).
Please see last week’s newsletter for details of the strategy, including a list of parks.
Within the new strategy, winter waste collection operations will not change. Parks without winter maintenance (eg. unplowed pathways) will continue to have bins removed for the season.
Given the amount of feedback from residents about removed and covered bins in the winter (for parks affected by the new strategy), I will be working with staff to ensure ideal locations at the parks are selected to support keeping at least some of the bins for use in the winter, such as locations along public sidewalks and other winter-maintained infrastructure.
Additionally, where park pathways also serve as community connectors, I will advocate for their addition to the plowed pathway network with public works staff.
At Greenpointe and Water Dragon parks, where three-stream bins from the pilot will be carried over, I’ll discuss relocating bins so at least one set can remain over the winter.
Ken Ross Park’s main diagonal pathway between Claridge and Longfields was added to the plowed network last winter, so some sets of bins along that path will stay over the winter this year.
Bite-sized updates
Sorted alphabetically!
Amazon public information night – The in-person public information session is postponed due to a special meeting of the City of Ottawa's Finance and Corporate Services Committee, scheduled for October 29th, with the 30th and 31st held as overflow days, to discuss Lansdowne 2.0. We will announce a new date for the public information session as soon as possible.
Beatrice/Queensbury bus shelter – Following its untimely demise back in December, then a delay in May, the bus shelter at Beatrice/Queensbury (stop 3345) will soon be reinstalled. Utility locates were completed and concrete pouring will soon begin, followed by shelter installation by month’s end.
Clearbrook/Bissett-Highpointe – Construction to improve safety and accessibility at the school crossing should begin early-November. The turning radius of the curbs will be tightened to slow turning vehicles and shorten the length of the crossing across Clearbrook. If the weather is uncooperative, this project will be delayed to spring 2026.
Deerfox-Fieldcrest pathway – New lighting for the pathway↗ connecting Deerfox and Fieldcrest west of Woodroffe has been approved and funded. The ambitious installation timeline is November, while a more realistic timeline will likely be next spring. Thank you to residents in the area for the requests over the last few years.
Greenbank Park – The slide at Greenbank Park is out of service due to a crack at the bottom. The manufacturer will be replacing it under warranty. Expected timeline for replacement is late-October.
Household hazardous waste drop-off – Our local hazardous waste drop-off will happen on Saturday, October 18 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Strandherd snow dump (first left off Dealership Drive behind the Toyota). Details are available at Ottawa.ca↗. Batteries, paint, and aerosols don’t have to wait for a drop-off event! See link for more information.
Lansdowne 2.0 – A meeting of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee has been called for Wednesday, October 29 at 9:30 am to discuss and vote on the Lansdowne 2.0 project. Though I don’t sit on that Committee, I will be observing and participating in the discussion. The item will rise to a special meeting of City Council, where I do have a vote, scheduled for Friday, November 7 at 10:30 am.
Limebank Station pick-up/drop-off – The pick-up/drop-off location has been moved to a temporary location↗ until November due to construction. From Earl Armstrong, turn right on Limebank, then LEFT at the signals, proceed to the end of the roadway to make a u-turn (yes, really) back to the pick-up/drop-off location. Signage is in place for guidance.
Low water conditions – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s major low-water advisory↗ continues across the entire Rideau River watershed. Households on well water are strongly encouraged to suspend non-essential uses. Shower facilities and water filling stations are available at the Minto Recreation Complex↗ and Walter Baker Sports Centre↗ for residents in Hearts Desire and Rideau Glen. Please call ahead to confirm availability (contact information and hours of operation in the links).
Pedestrian crossover construction – Two new pedestrian crossovers at Paul Métivier/Beatrice and at Stoneway/Forest Gate east are currently under construction. The crossover on Paul Métivier will be raised to double as a speed hump. Expected completion is mid-November.
Road paint – Road markings across Barrhaven East were refreshed two weeks ago. Though the paint practically dries instantly (including a buffer set by a second vehicle), some residents have reported paint splattering onto their vehicles. If professional cleaning was required, please file a claim against the City in writing at Claims@ottawa.ca or by webform↗. Remember to include before/after photos and receipts.
Speed hump construction – Speed hump construction on Springbeauty Avenue is complete. Permanent signage installation should be complete this week. Speed cushions will be installed on Deerfox between Beatrice and Woodroffe this week, with permanent signage and road paint to follow next week.
Via Chianti and Via Modugno – With the completion of nearby development, the two streets will receive their final layer of asphalt starting next week until early-November. On-street parking may become unavailable periodically during the paving. The City will assume control of the two streets upon completion.
Waste collection – Garbage, blue bin, and green bin collection this week is delayed by one day to tomorrow (Wednesday) as Monday was Thanksgiving.
Woodroffe/Deerfox-Stoneway – Lane closures and shifts may be required to accommodate the ongoing private infrastructure connection project. Expected completion is late-October, and I have asked that the northbound road cut across Woodroffe be smoothen in the interim.
Woodroffe/Queensbury-Rideaucrest – Hydro Ottawa is on site until October 17 to relocate their post at Woodroffe/Queensbury (northwest corner) and install a new post at Woodroffe/Rideaucrest (northeast corner) to improve spacing between posts to strengthen the overhead wire network. At no time will access be lost to Queensbury, Rideaucrest, the commercial driveways, or bus stops, though off-peak lane reductions are possible.
Have a great week ahead!
-Wilson