Sparks Street

[lrt's friend]

I doubt LAC will move from its Wellington building. It was specially designed for their use in the first place. It's most public uses will move to the new public library building, such as for genealogy research but I expect the most serious researchers would still go to Wellington Street.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by roger1818

This is how you access the path. Some signs could be added to show that it goes somewhere other than the park, but right now it really doesn't go anywhere useful, so I am not sure what the signs would say.





That could easily be fixed by adding lights.



If you notice in the picture above, there is a wheelchair ramp. We might want something a bit better if we wanted to make it a cycling route.



Direct to where? Given that there is a giant hill, the aquaduct, and a couple buildings in the way, the following route to LeBreton Flats Park seems rather direct to me.





We will have to see what happens to Fleet St west of Lett St. Looking at Geoottawa's 2017 areal photograph, it appears it is pedestrian only east of Lett St.





It will branch where it crosses the old Wellington St. at the bottom of the hill. One branch crosses Pooley's Bridge to Fleet St. Looking at the RendezVous LeBreton plans (below), it looks like Fleet St. will be extended to the arena. The other branch will lead to the library where, according to the preliminary plan (in my previous post), it runs behind the library and other buildings to Pimisi Station.

You would hope that a grand walkway would lead from Sparks Street to Canada Drive in the Lebreton project and passing by the Public Library.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Is it going to move?

No it is not. They will have an annex in the new Ottawa Public Library is all.

[passwordisnt123]

Originally Posted by MarkR

No, not so much to have cars drive down there, but just to make that area much more visible as a connection to the Flats. Yes, peds. and cyclists can make their way through the "garden" but as you say it's not very obvious. There of course used to be a full road connection into the Flats via Pooley's Bridge, but ever since Wellington got re-routed into the parkway (leaving behind that little stub) I would say most people, if they don't walk or cycle, don't know that area at all.

Yes, the new library should improve things!

As somebody who used to walk through or past the garden of the provinces on a daily basis, I can report that it is is fenced off and inaccessible to pedestrians for about 8 months out of the year.

The Garden would likely need to be significantly changed enough to remove whatever obstacle is causing them to shut it down entirely for the spring, winter and part of the fall.

[Casablanca]

A cool pedestrianized street in Santiago.

[eltodesukane]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Maybe ditch these off-putting stupid patio fences too?



What's the reasoning behind them anyway? Seems like it's strictly North American thing.

The same stupid fence is in St Laurent Mall at the Second Cup booth near the cinema.

[acottawa]

Patio fences are required by provincial liquor laws (which I would not in any way try to justify).

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by passwordisnt123

As somebody who used to walk through or past the garden of the provinces on a daily basis, I can report that it is is fenced off and inaccessible to pedestrians for about 8 months out of the year.

The Garden would likely need to be significantly changed enough to remove whatever obstacle is causing them to shut it down entirely for the spring, winter and part of the fall.

The "obstacle" is that the authorities in Ottawa, whether City or NCC, are too cheap to bother with winter maintenance of anything that people might walk on.

One noted exception this winter, though: the Bank of Canada did a good job keeping a network of desire-line paths open through their little plaza.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

The "obstacle" is that the authorities in Ottawa, whether City or NCC, are too cheap to bother with winter maintenance of anything that people might walk on.

One noted exception this winter, though: the Bank of Canada did a good job keeping a network of desire-line paths open through their little plaza.

Once development below the escarpment really starts moving, they will need to open up a pedestrian corridor year round. Right now, there is little demand.

Sparks Street could be made more inviting with a special light display, something unique that no other city is doing. With LED lighting, they could have artistic light shows in specific locations and elegant lighting throughout. Make the lighting in itself an attraction.

We need ideas that build on top of each other.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Of all the pointless public spaces that help to deaden Ottawa, the Garden of the Provinces and Territories is one of the worst.

Just wait for the new Victims of Communism Memorial to be built... that'll attract the crowds.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

The "obstacle" is that the authorities in Ottawa, whether City or NCC, are too cheap to bother with winter maintenance of anything that people might walk on.

One noted exception this winter, though: the Bank of Canada did a good job keeping a network of desire-line paths open through their little plaza.

In the past few years (I can't remember exactly when it started, but it was quite recent) Ottawa has been plowing all of its MUPs. However, the GoPT is under NCC control.

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Just wait for the new Victims of Communism Memorial to be built... that'll attract the crowds.

Isn't that now going to be located on the west side of the Garden of the Provinces and Territories?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...rial-1.4119012

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Just wait for the new Victims of Communism Memorial to be built... that'll attract the crowds.

Maybe a Monument to Monuments... somewhere near the Festival of Festivals Plaza?

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by roger1818

Isn't that now going to be located on the west side of the Garden of the Provinces and Territories?

Yes. My point exactly.

[Kitchissippi]

Garden of the Victims of Confederation?

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Garden of the Victims of Confederation?

That is too funny!

Shall we start listing the communities that are victims. I suppose everybody is a victim in some way or form because Canadian society does not offer 'perfect' freedom.

[acottawa]

How about a Garden of the Grievances, where everyone can list whatever there issue is. It could also be the location of the National Festivus Pole.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by acottawa

How about a Garden of the Grievances, where everyone can list whatever there issue is. It could also be the location of the National Festivus Pole.

Now that is an idea that would bring tourists to Ottawa.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It could also be the location of the National Festivus Pole.

Is that like a Maypole?

[rocketphish]

City reveals vision for future of Sparks Street, hopes to begin construction around Spring 2022

Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen
Updated: March 21, 2019



The City of Ottawa has revealed the results of a year-long public consultation that it hopes will help shape the future of Sparks Street.

The future of the downtown street, which became Canada’s first pedestrian-only mall in 1967, has been keenly debated for decades. Joining Elgin and Lyon streets, Sparks is seen as an important corridor given its proximity to Parliament Hill, hotels and downtown restaurants.

Through a partnership between the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission and Public Services and Procurement Canada, a pop-up office was created at 70 Sparks St. around a year ago. Since then, the city has been holding public consultations and roundtable discussions accepting ideas from the public about what should be done with the outdoor space.

In an announcement at the office on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Jim Watson outlined what the city is calling its Public Realm Plan detailing a vision of what the mall could look like. Based on public feedback, as many as 50 trees could be planted along the pedestrian throughway.

New interlock pavers, bike racks and small green spaces are suggested. Interactive water features (like fountains), digital wayfinding boards — maps that can be used to display signage — and increased lighting are proposed, along with temporary pop-up facilities for outdoor entertainment, such as concerts or displaying films.

The city plan also includes speakers to play music during events and more permanent art installations to mark intersections and the street’s main entrance.

The city is still accepting feedback from the public about its plan until May 1 via email at mysparksstreet@ottawa.ca.

The city hopes to finalize its plans and seek approval from the NCC board of directors this fall. From there, funding needs to be approved, detailed design and engineering work will need to be completed along with consultations and co-ordination with area businesses.

The city said the “earliest possible start date” for major construction along Sparks Street would be in Spring 2022.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...nd-spring-2022

[Urbanarchit]

Any chance they'll ban cars on Sparks Street? They're still driving on and parking there.