Cope Park

Update September 27, 2023

Thank you to all for your contribution and your comments on the concept plan for the new Cope Park.

Following a successful public consultation, a preference was expressed for the play concept option 1. Please find below a comment’s summary follow-up:

• The pickleball courts will abide to the ongoing City Pickleball Strategy.
• The amenities layout in the park respond to functional criteria and recreational standards. Relocating the parking lot along Cope Drive would most likely reduce the number of amenities in the park.
• A solo practicing tennis bounce wall and a dog fenced park are not within the scope or budget for the project.

The Cope Park concept will be developed into a detailed design. Details of the construction schedule will be posted once available.

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The City of Ottawa is seeking your input regarding the design of a forthcoming community park. This new park will be situated within the Westwood Subdivision in Stittsville and is labeled as Park No. 3 in the Fernbank Community Design Plan. Despite being referred to as Cope Park, the park's official name will be determined through the Commemorative Naming process.

With about 3.04 hectares, Cope Park is planned to be located at 785 Cope Drive. This community park has been meticulously crafted to serve as a special space for the community, offering a wide range of both passive and active recreational opportunities.

The conceptual plan includes a full-size soccer field, two tennis courts coupled with four pickleball courts, a multipurpose seasonal ice rink that converts into basketball courts, a puddle rink, playgrounds for both junior and senior age groups, a swing set, a sandy play area, a splash pad, as well as a gazebo. These play facilities have been thoughtfully designed to enrich the community's experience and contribute to the park's unique identity. These recreational features are seamlessly linked with open play zones, as well as connected by an asphalt walking trail with seating and shading. Moreover, accessible seating along the trail aims to support the City of Ottawa's Older Adult Plan. Additionally, a multi-use pathway along the park's Cope Drive frontage, alongside a designated bus stop are also planned for.

To ensure the park maintains a lush green environment, a diverse selection of native plants will be incorporated, aiming to achieve a minimum of 30% canopy coverage throughout the area. This contributes to the overall greenspace network within the city. The overarching goal of the park's design is to offer an extensive array of recreational possibilities, encompassing a variety of sports and play amenities for the community's enjoyment.

In the two concept options, the designs for the playgrounds and splash pad are distinct in terms of theme and layout while providing an equivalent level of play value. Here's a breakdown of each option:

Concept option 1:

• The senior playground showcases a structure known as "The Castle," featuring an impressive four-slide setup, including a towering three-story slide, an accessible teeter-totter, horizontal ladder climbs, rock climbing walls, and an intricate rope maze with a slide accessory structure designed to challenge curious users.
• The junior playgrounds harmonize with the senior structures, presenting a similar theme and design with play features suitable for children under 5 years old.
• The swing set in option 1 includes an adult bucket seat, toddler seats, and belt swings.
• The splash pad follows a Nature theme, incorporating a frog pedestal, rose petal dumping buckets, and a mushroom-shaped rain cap.

Concept option 2:

• The senior playground introduces "The Jungle" structure, allowing explorers to navigate interconnected shaded spaces via accessible bridges. This concept also includes a rope-based climbing experience as an accessory.
• Like the senior structure, the junior playground features a matching theme and design tailored for younger children.
• The swing set in option 2 offers two belt swings, two toddler buckets, and a saucer swing.
• The splash pad is centered around a music theme, incorporating playful trumpet water cannons and a parasol spray tower.

For a visual representation of these concepts, you can download and review "Concept Option 1" and "Concept Option 2" using the link provided to the right. These options showcase the proposed designs along with additional information about the park's planned amenities. Please keep in mind that the final park layout might differ from these concepts due to input from public consultations, technical refinements, and potential supply or financial limitations.

We kindly invite you to participate in the survey below to share your insights and preferences. Please be aware that the survey can only be completed once per account. Your feedback is important in shaping the future of this community park.