Weekly newsletter: March 26, 2024
Hi everyone, and welcome to the end of March!
The top half of the newsletter is a bit thinner this week, but make sure to check out the bottom half, where there are many opportunities for resident engagement, events, and updates from the library.
I have several things on the go at the moment, which I hope to share through the newsletter soon!
New this week, each item in the newsletter topper will include a brief sentence that summarises what it’s about. I enjoy writing fulsome updates with background and details, but I understand that’s sometimes overwhelming and time consuming. Hopefully the one-liner helps!
Benches
We’re hoping to make our community more friendly to older adults by adding sidewalk benches where they are needed most. Know a location in need? Let me know!
According to the 2021 census, 30 per cent of Ottawa’s population are older adults over the age of 55, making up the fastest growing age group in the city. The demographic is not unique to Ottawa or cities in the western world.
The Older Adult Action Plan (2020 to 2022) was created in recognition of a need to make Ottawa a more age-friendly city, and is a long-term vision to improve certain city sectors in service of that goal.
One of the plan’s actions to improve opportunities for active living and accessibility to public spaces is the addition of benches along the city’s sidewalks (instead of keeping in parks and pathways).
The 2024 budget includes 65,000$ for benches to be installed at select locations across the city, which are evaluated using the following required criteria:
Next to an accessible sidewalk owned and maintained by the city
At least 100 metres away from an existing transit stop bench
Located on public property or the city’s right-of-way
Able to adhere or be modified slightly to adhere to accessibility design standards (eg. site can be made level easily if there’s a slight slope)
Additional considerations are given to:
Midpoints between major amenities and neighbourhoods
Near natural shade and does not impede on privacy, views, or security of homes
Close to parks, shopping, community centres, and other amenities
Councillors have been tasked with recommending locations by mid-April for staff to evaluate. This is where I’d like your help!
One of my shortcomings for this exercise (or overall, some may argue) is I’m not a senior and I can walk for very long periods of time without needing rest. While I have a few locations across the ward in mind, I’m hoping your input can make the recommendations I share with staff in April the best possible locations for older adults in our community.
If you have any locations that meet the criteria and considerations above, please share them with me by replying to this email or sending a new one to Wilson.Lo@ottawa.ca by Friday, April 12.
Thanks in advance!
Easter
Summary of schedule changes to City services Good Friday (March 29) through Easter Monday (April 1).
Please note Friday and Monday are holidays, and most City services will be operating on modified hours over the weekend.
The 3-1-1 call centre will be open for urgent matters only through the long weekend, while client services centres and the provincial offences court will be closed on Friday and Monday.
OC Transpo will operate a Sunday schedule on Good Friday, and a reduced weekday schedule Easter Monday (no school trips and routes, basically). As with all holidays, day passes are valid for up to two passengers aged 13 or older through the long weekend.
Regularly-scheduled/recurring Para Transpo trips will be cancelled Good Friday and Easter Monday, so customers with trips on those days must book separate trips in advance.
Walter Baker will be closed Friday, open regular hours Saturday, and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday and Monday. The library will be closed Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday.
Minto will be closed Friday and Sunday, open regular hours on Saturday, and open 7:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday.
The Nepean Sportsplex will operate regular hours throughout the long weekend.
Please check the linked webpages as there may be changes to specific program offerings at the three nearby recreation centres.
Lastly, garbage, blue bin, and green bin collection next week will be delayed by a day to Wednesday.
Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll talk again next Tuesday!
-Wilson