Parks Canada gives bidders more time to flesh out ‘innovative’ Rideau Canal plans
Ottawa Citizen

By Don Butler, Ottawa Citizen, May 18, 2015

Parks Canada is giving bidders until the end of June to submit proposals to provide innovative new experiences along the Ottawa portion of the Rideau Canal. The federal agency issued a Request for Proposals earlier this year seeking bids from companies interested in providing multiple “innovative experiences and leading edge services” on and along the canal from the Ottawa Locks to Hartwell lock station at Carleton University. It originally gave them until May 20 to submit their ideas. via Parks Canada gives bidders more time to flesh out ‘innovative’ Rideau Canal plans | Ottawa Citizen.

Ideas raised for future of Carlington Park
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, May 18, 2015

A proposal to open a new snow tube park on Carlington Hill might never become a reality, but the suggestion alone appears to be prompting a discussion about the sizable park’s future use. Camp Fortune, which operates a ski hill near Chelsea, Que., wanted to open a tubing park on the same central Ottawa hill where many people have tobogganed for years. The company anticipated welcoming 20,000 to 30,000 visitors over the course of a season, which would last from mid-December to mid-March. via Ideas raised for future of Carlington Park | Ottawa Citizen.

Thunderstorms, tornado warnings bring long weekend to anxious close
Ottawa Citizen

By Meghan Hurley, Ottawa Citizen, May 18, 2015

The Victoria Day long weekend ended Monday with tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Eastern Ontario. Sharbot Lake, Lanark County, Smiths Falls, Perth were under the warning issued at 4:51 p.m. as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was moving eastward across Lanark County. via Thunderstorms, tornado warnings bring long weekend to anxious close | Ottawa Citizen.

Police use pedal power to fight crime
CTV Ottawa News

By CTV Ottawa, May 15, 2015

They are the modern-day mounted police. The Ottawa Police Service has rolled out its bicycle patrol for another season. Pedalling police will be a common sight around the city throughout the summer. More common than you might think. “We have approximately 100 to 110 officers from west to central and east,” says Const. Chuck Benoit, a bicycle patrol instructor. via Police use pedal power to fight crime | CTV Ottawa News.

Ottawa author details the healing power of walking
Ottawa Citizen

By Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, May 15, 2015

Dan Rubinstein has walked in northern Quebec, in inner-city Philadelphia, in the British Isles, and more, to research his just-released book Born to Walk. But it was right around the corner from his house that the Ottawa author encountered a pedestrian’s worst nightmare. Rubinstein was walking his twin daughters, Maggie and Daisy, to school in their Alta Vista neighbourhood, as he does most mornings. Maggie was ahead of him on her bike. Daisy was behind. As he watched, a car turned directly into Maggie, crushing her bike. The car then swerved and ran over Rubinstein’s legs. via Ottawa author details the healing power of walking | Ottawa Citizen.

ByWard, Parkdale markets open for the season
Ottawa Citizen

By Ottawa Citizen, May 15, 2015

At the depth of the winter’s deep freeze it seemed the day would never come, but the city has announced the ByWard and Parkdale markets have officially opened for the season, with local produce, seasonal plants, flowers, and atmosphere. A new feature in the ByWard this year will be the “Demo Corner,” offering food samples and new recipes. Saturday’s topic will be asparagus recipes. via ByWard, Parkdale markets open for the season | Ottawa Citizen.

City to examine water rate structure
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 2015

The city is exploring options for a new approach to billing for water and sewer services in Ottawa after a revenue shortfall last year left a $22-million hole in the budget. Drinking water, sanitary and stormwater services combined were to generate $318.5 million in revenue in 2014, but the forecast used by the city treasury to draft the 2015 budget earlier this year showed that the city collected $296.7 million — a shortfall of $21.8 million. via City to examine water rate structure | Ottawa Citizen.

From baby raccoons to trapped turtles, Rideau Valley sanctuary saves the day
Ottawa Citizen

By Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 2015

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Kemptville, is in full swing as it cares for more than 200 baby animals, mostly raccoons and squirrels. They expect to soon be taking in skunks and also turtles, as they get struck on roads while crossing to lay eggs. The sanctuary is authorized by the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources to care for the animals with strict conditions that it release them back into the wild once they are able to. via From baby raccoons to trapped turtles, Rideau Valley sanctuary saves the day | Ottawa Citizen.

City Hall Blog: City to review cash-in-lieu of parkland policy
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 2015

In the face of criticism by some councillors that not enough money is being spent on parks in the city, and as a response to a story earlier this year by our Matthew Pearson about how a former councillor spent some park-related cash in River ward, senior staff is launching a review of the cash-in-lieu of parkland policy. Cash-in-lieu of parkland — or CILP, as it’s known in City Hall speak — comes from a requirement from the provincial planning act that calls for all new building projects to have a certain portion of the development set aside for greenspace. But depending on the size of the development, a city could end up with little bits and pieces of green that aren’t really useful for anything. That’s especially true in the inner city wards where large swaths of land aren’t readily available. That’s why developers often give the cash equivalent — or CILP — instead of actual land. via City Hall Blog: City to review cash-in-lieu of parkland policy | Ottawa Citizen.
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