LAST WEEKEND TO ENJOY MANY OF THE NCC’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Canada’s Capital Region – Many of the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) outdoor programs and activities are coming to their season’s end this weekend. The NCC invites residents and visitors to take in a last excursion during Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays, to participate in the Discover the Hill program and tour the grounds of Parliament Hill, to visit the National War Memorial, and to have a swim at Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake beaches.
The schedule for the last weekend of these summer activities and programs is as follows:
NCC BEACHES — OPEN UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
Residents and visitors have until Monday, September 6 to swim at Leamy Lake beach, in Gatineau, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, and at O’Brien, Blanchet, Breton, Parent and La Pêche beaches, in Gatineau Park, from 10 am to 6 pm. Lifeguards are on site during duty hours to ensure public safety. Swimmers have access to various facilities such as washrooms, change rooms, barbecues and picnic tables. Entry fees to Leamy Lake beach are $6 per automobile and entry fees to Meech, Philippe and La Pêche Lakes beaches in Gatineau Park are $10 per automobile.
40th SEASON OF ALCATEL-LUCENT SUNDAY BIKEDAYS — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Gatineau Park: Parkways Reserved for Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays The Gatineau, Champlain and Fortune Parkways, which are ideal destinations for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy steep hills, are closed to motorized traffic from 6 am to 11 am. One section, to the north of Lac-Meech Road (parking lot P8), is ideal for families with young children and is closed for two additional hours, from 6 am to 1 pm. (Length: 30.5 kilometres)
Ottawa: Parkways Reserved for Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays
Ottawa River Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
The westbound lanes of the Ottawa River Parkway, located on the south side of the Ottawa River just west of the downtown core, are closed to motorized traffic from Vimy Place (Canadian War Museum) to Carling Avenue. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. (Length: 5.5 kilometres)
Colonel-By Drive — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of Colonel-By Drive, located on the east side of the Rideau Canal in the heart of the Capital, are closed to motorized traffic from the Laurier Bridge to the Hog’s Back Bridge. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from KPMG. (Length: 7.6 kilometres)
Rockcliffe Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of the Rockcliffe Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, are closed to motorized traffic, from the Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans. (Length: 8.4 kilometres)
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikeday participants can get their bikes checked free of charge by members of the Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks Sunday, September 5, 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm on Colonel By Drive (near Seneca Street).
Members of the Ottawa Inline Skating Club will offer free one-hour instructional sessions on braking, turning and stride improvement, and provide inline skating tips and advice, with special emphasis on safety, Sunday, September 5, 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm on Colonel-By Drive (near Clegg Street and Echo Drive).
DISCOVER THE HILL INTERPRETATION PROGRAM — ON UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
The Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program is an excellent complement to the Centre Block tour, which continues all year long. The public is invited to gain a better appreciation of the importance of Parliament Hill by visiting the Info-Tent, enjoying a tour using the free Discover the Hill Outdoor Self-Guiding Booklet or walking In the Footsteps of Great Canadians during a free 45-minute guided tour of the grounds. The Discover the Hill Interpretation program runs until September 6, 2010. For more information, the public can visit the Info-Tent, located on Parliament Hill, weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm and weekends and holidays from 9 am to 5 pm.
INTERPRETATION OF THE NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL — ON UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
Confederation Square is Canada’s place of remembrance. The monuments found there, including the National War Memorial, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and the Valiants Memorial, collectively speak of remembrance, sacrifice, courage and endurance, and represent all those whose actions in times of conflict and war have shaped Canada’s past and continue to influence our present. Visitors can learn more about the history, symbolism and importance of these monuments by speaking and sharing stories with the NCC interpreters stationed at Confederation Square daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm. For more information on the National War Memorial and The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, please visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
For more information on activities offered in Canada’s Capital Region, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530, or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
LES SAMEDIS « COURT CIRCUIT » DE LA CCN DÉBUTENT CE WEEK-END
Région de la capitale du Canada — La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) souhaite informer le public que des sections de la promenade de la Gatineau seront fermées à la circulation automobile tous les samedis, du 4 septembre au 23 octobre 2010. Les amateurs de sports de plein air peuvent s’exercer sur 8,2 kilomètres de promenades panoramiques au parc de la Gatineau qui sont réservées aux cyclistes, patineurs à roues alignées, coureurs et marcheurs.
- La promenade de la Gatineau, entre le chemin du Lac-Meech et la promenade Champlain Fermée de 6 h à 11 h* Ce tronçon (4,8 km) est idéal pour les cyclistes amateurs de parcours vallonnés.
* Pendant le Coloris automnal, soit du 2 au 17 octobre, cette section de la promenade de la Gatineau sera fermée à la circulation automobile de 6 h à 9 h 30.
- Section de la promenade de la Gatineau située au nord du chemin du Lac- Meech (aire de stationnement P8) Fermée de 6 h à 13 h
Ce tronçon (3,4 km) convient bien aux familles avec de jeunes enfants.
Pour de plus amples renseignements à propos des samedis « court circuit », veuillez communiquer avec la CCN au 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (ATS) ou 1-866-661-3530 (ATS sans frais) ou encore consulter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/courtcircuit.
NCC SATURDAY SHORT LOOPS BEGINS THIS WEEKEND
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to inform the public that sections of the Gatineau Parkway will be closed to motorized traffic every Saturday from September 4 to October 23, 2010. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy 8.2 kilometres of scenic parkways in Gatineau Park that are reserved for cyclists, in-line skaters, runners and walkers.
- Gatineau Parkway between Meech Lake Road and the Champlain Parkway Closed from 6 am to 11 am* This portion (4.8 km) is great for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy hilly terrain.
* During the Fall Rhapsody program, from October 2 to 17, this portion of the Gatineau Parkway will be closed to motor vehicles every Saturday from 6 am to 9:30 am.
- Northern section of the Gatineau Parkway off Meech Lake Road (P8 parking lot) Closed from 6 am to 1 pm
This portion (3.4 km) is also suitable for families with young children.
For more information on Saturday Short Loops, please contact the NCC at 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/shortloops.
NCC And Cities To Place Cycling At The Heart Of Capital Region
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC), the City of Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau have agreed to combine efforts to improve cycling infrastructure and services throughout Ottawa, Gatineau and Canada’s Capital Region, with the key aim of improving the commuter cycling experience.
A special meeting of the Capital Region’s Tripartite Committee between the CEO of the NCC, Marie Lemay, Mayor Larry O’Brien of Ottawa and Mayor Marc Bureau of Gatineau was held today to follow-up on the participation of a delegation from the Capital Region at the world’s leading conference on cycling, the Velo-City Global 2010 Conference held in Copenhagen in June 2010. They discussed potential short, medium and long term cycling initiatives. In addition to the many planned cycling projects undertaken each year by the cities and the NCC, the following initiatives will take place this fall:
- The members of the Capital Region’s delegation who attended the Velo-City Global 2010 Conference and visited cities in Europe where cycling is a dominant mode of transportation, will share what they learned, including best practices for integrating cycling facilities into urban environments. Public presentations will take place at Maison du Citoyen in Gatineau on September 21 at 7 pm and at Ottawa City Hall on September 22 at 7 pm.
- One of the world’s leading planning experts on sustainable mobility and cycling in an urban setting, Mr. Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects – Urban Quality Consultants, will speak on October 6, 2010 in a public session about his experience transforming major world cities into cycling friendly and sustainable 0communities.
- In addition, Gehl Architects – Urban Quality Consultants will conduct a workshop, lead by the NCC in collaboration with both cities, to better understand the opportunities and challenges related to integrating cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation in the downtown core of Ottawa and Gatineau.
- The group also agreed that an integrated regional cycling map will be developed incorporating on-road cycling lanes, shared-use recreational pathways and other cycling facilities such as Bike-Share stations throughout the Capital Region.
Several other measures to make cycling safer will be considered by all three parties. For example, in order to make lanes more visible for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike, colored city and NCC bike-only lanes and/or intersections will be explored.
Finally, cycling will become a permanent item on the agenda of the Tripartite meeting and a forum will support the cities and the NCC as they move forward with these initiatives:
- The Inter-Agency Recreational Pathway Committee, an existing committee which brings together staff from the cities of Ottawa, Gatineau and the NCC, will meet four times a year to advance initiatives and share knowledge and expertise on cycling. Its mandate will broaden to include commuting and, once a year, this Committee will also invite cycling group representatives to their meetings to discuss cycling related issues.
“As we are embarking on the review of the Plan for Canada’s Capital, a blue-print for the Capital Region for the next 50 years, we know that sustainable mobility will be a key pillar,” said NCC CEO Marie Lemay. “The NCC wants to work together with the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau to define the place of cycling as a means of commuting within the Capital Region.”
“These are the kinds of initiatives that are possible when decision-makers take a longterm view of what’s best for Ottawa,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “I’m pleased to once again be working with the National Capital Commission and Ville de Gatineau to deliver real results for our residents.”
“Gatineau is a green city and is working to develop infrastructures that will foster the use of alternative modes of transportation. By multiplying efforts to prioritize sustainable transportation, we contribute to reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby making our environment even healthier. The involvement of the three partners in an approach to promote and develop a network of bicycle paths will guarantee our success in the area of sustainable mobility,” stated Marc Bureau, Mayor of Gatineau.
Participation in Velo-City Global 2010 Conference.In June 2010, a delegation from Canada’s Capital Region made up of representatives from the NCC, the City of Ottawa and the City of Gatineau attended the world’s largest global conference on cycling in Copenhagen, Denmark. The delegation also visited leading cycling cities in the Netherlands and Germany as part of a regional effort to learn from these world-class cycling cities. In each city, the NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Marie Lemay, Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau and Ottawa City Councillor Jacques Legendre met with cycling and sustainable transportation experts, city planners and cycling advocates to gather information for future planning for the Capital Region.
For information about the NCC’s cycling network, go to www.canadascapital.gc.ca/biking.
For information about the City of Ottawa cycling, go to www.ottawa.ca.
For information about the City of Gatineau cycling, go to www.gatineau.ca.
For information about the Velo-City Global 2010 in Copenhagen – Different Gears,
Same Destination, go to www.velo-city2010.com.
