Here is the latest installment of what's going on in the rapidly growing community of Central Park.
Pond and park nearing completion
The storm water treatment pond is now complete. The fountain that aerates the storm water is working and vegetation in the pond is growing well. Even the ducks have taken up residence in the pond. The pond is surrounded with a 4 foot high decorative fence.
The soccer field is sodded, and the goal posts are in place. The regulation tennis courts are just about ready, and are far above City of Ottawa standards. The tot lot area has sand, but is missing play structures. The link between the main park and Crystal Park Crescent is still in need of landscaping.
Some trees and shrubs have also been planted in the main part of the park, although far fewer than some residents would like. Larry Sargent, President of the Central Park Citizens Group is planning to meet with Janette Foo, Commissioner of Community Services to see about getting more trees and shrubs planted. Ashcroft Homes is willing to buy additional shrubs if Central Park residents do the work of planting them.
A grand opening party for the park is being planned by Ashcroft for September 15. All Central Park residents are invited to attend.
OC Transpo starts service
In late August, OC Transpo bus stops were installed along both sides of Central Park drive, 12 new stops in all. On September 5, peak service via route 55 started serving Central Park. Buses travel from Merivale via Central Park Drive then return to their regular route along Merivale.
According to Helen Gault, Director of Planning and Development at OC Transpo, route 151 will join route 55 on Central Park Drive on Christmas Eve to provide all-day bus service to Central Park residents.
Merivale Road modifications
As reported in the March 2000 edition of The Carlington Summit, further modifications are required to Merivale Road to facilitate the Central Park development. According to Bill Jolliffe, Project Manager at the Region, planning is proceeding, and the modifications are planned for this fall.
Mr. Jolliffe has also clarified the outstanding issue of bicycle access to McCooey Lane. He indicated that the new median between Central Park Drive (north) and Nortel will have an access to allow cyclists to make a left turn from Merivale onto McCooey or a left turn from McCooey onto Merivale. These two movements would be otherwise restricted by the new median.
Nortel issues
Nortel is planning to move their power station and air conditioning equipment from the rear side of Tower 7 to the empty lot at the corner of Baseline and Merivale. The plan goes for approval in front of City Council on September 15. This is great for the residents close to Nortel, as the air conditioning equipment is quite noisy.
Some residents are still not convinced that the issue of external lights on the Nortel buildings shining into Central Park has been resolved. In fact at least one resident felt that the adjusted lights are now worse, not better.
Drop by and visit the Central Park web site at http://www.central-park.ottawa.on.ca for more information.