Downtown Core Programming Plan

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The City of Ottawa is developing an action plan for recreation and culture programming at its facilities and outdoor spaces in the downtown core. Lifelong involvement in recreation and culture is vital to creating healthy, creative, and inclusive communities. With a shift in demographics, aging infrastructure and market competition in the downtown core, it is time to redefine the recreation and cultural needs of this community.

What is the downtown core?

The borders of the downtown core are the Ottawa river on the north, Rideau river to the east, Queensway at Catherine Street to the south and Bronson Avenue to the west, refer to the photograph on the right.

The core is a vibrant tourist destination bursting with national and local museums and galleries, year-round events, historical districts, a unique shopping, and culinary scene, a lively nightlife, open green space, as well as local recreation and culture hubs. It is also home to the Parliament, a large business district of 100,000 daily commuters, the University of Ottawa, Embassies and Consulates, and 62,000 residents who encompass an eclectic mix of students, young families, and older adults. Situated on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg nation, with a large number of Francophones, many new Canadians, racially diverse people, and home of the Gay Village, this community is rich with diversity.

What types of recreation and culture programming are we looking at?

  • Special events (festivals, ceremonies/gatherings, fairs, etc.)
  • Outdoor play (play structures, wading pools, splash pads, rinks, skateboard parks, beaches, sledding, trails, etc.)
  • Cycling
  • Before and after school activities
  • Drop-in programs
  • Summer camps
  • Swimming
  • Skating
  • Sports – soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, hockey, etc.
  • Youth programs (e.g. youth club, etc.)
  • Older adult programs (i.e. guest speakers, gentle fitness, cards, etc.)
  • Fitness courses
  • Arts – visual art, pottery, craft, dance, theatre, music, literary, film/video, new media, etc. public art
  • Galleries/exhibitions, artist studios
  • Theatres - live performance, cinema
  • Heritage –built heritage, districts, landscapes, archaeology, museums, archives
  • Creative industries – film and television, music, publishing, design, fashion, architecture, video games, digital media and multiplatform storytelling – transmedia
  • Tours

How will we look at programming?

The City will be looking at programming through asset mapping, data analysis and public engagement in-person and online. This analysis will determine where opportunities and gaps exist in the downtown core and a steering committee of internal and external stakeholders will identify ways to address these through the creation of an action plan. The action plan will reflect sustainable growth, a partnered approach, and quality public spaces, to ensure a variety of recreation and culture programming is accessible to all.

The City of Ottawa is developing an action plan for recreation and culture programming at its facilities and outdoor spaces in the downtown core. Lifelong involvement in recreation and culture is vital to creating healthy, creative, and inclusive communities. With a shift in demographics, aging infrastructure and market competition in the downtown core, it is time to redefine the recreation and cultural needs of this community.

What is the downtown core?

The borders of the downtown core are the Ottawa river on the north, Rideau river to the east, Queensway at Catherine Street to the south and Bronson Avenue to the west, refer to the photograph on the right.

The core is a vibrant tourist destination bursting with national and local museums and galleries, year-round events, historical districts, a unique shopping, and culinary scene, a lively nightlife, open green space, as well as local recreation and culture hubs. It is also home to the Parliament, a large business district of 100,000 daily commuters, the University of Ottawa, Embassies and Consulates, and 62,000 residents who encompass an eclectic mix of students, young families, and older adults. Situated on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg nation, with a large number of Francophones, many new Canadians, racially diverse people, and home of the Gay Village, this community is rich with diversity.

What types of recreation and culture programming are we looking at?

  • Special events (festivals, ceremonies/gatherings, fairs, etc.)
  • Outdoor play (play structures, wading pools, splash pads, rinks, skateboard parks, beaches, sledding, trails, etc.)
  • Cycling
  • Before and after school activities
  • Drop-in programs
  • Summer camps
  • Swimming
  • Skating
  • Sports – soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, hockey, etc.
  • Youth programs (e.g. youth club, etc.)
  • Older adult programs (i.e. guest speakers, gentle fitness, cards, etc.)
  • Fitness courses
  • Arts – visual art, pottery, craft, dance, theatre, music, literary, film/video, new media, etc. public art
  • Galleries/exhibitions, artist studios
  • Theatres - live performance, cinema
  • Heritage –built heritage, districts, landscapes, archaeology, museums, archives
  • Creative industries – film and television, music, publishing, design, fashion, architecture, video games, digital media and multiplatform storytelling – transmedia
  • Tours

How will we look at programming?

The City will be looking at programming through asset mapping, data analysis and public engagement in-person and online. This analysis will determine where opportunities and gaps exist in the downtown core and a steering committee of internal and external stakeholders will identify ways to address these through the creation of an action plan. The action plan will reflect sustainable growth, a partnered approach, and quality public spaces, to ensure a variety of recreation and culture programming is accessible to all.

Discussions: All (6) Open (6)

  • Tell us what is happening now

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us what is happening now on Facebook Share Tell us what is happening now on Twitter Share Tell us what is happening now on Linkedin Email Tell us what is happening now link
    81 Responses

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    When you think of recreation and culture programming in the downtown core, what places, programs or activities do you think of? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.

  • Tell us where you go

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us where you go on Facebook Share Tell us where you go on Twitter Share Tell us where you go on Linkedin Email Tell us where you go link
    54 Responses

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    Where do you or your friends, family or communities go for recreation and culture programming in the downtown core? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.

  • Tell us what barriers exist

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us what barriers exist on Facebook Share Tell us what barriers exist on Twitter Share Tell us what barriers exist on Linkedin Email Tell us what barriers exist link
    76 Responses

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    Tell us some barriers that restrict participation in programming in the downtown core? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.

  • Tell us your programming ideas

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us your programming ideas on Facebook Share Tell us your programming ideas on Twitter Share Tell us your programming ideas on Linkedin Email Tell us your programming ideas link
    75 Responses

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    What kind of recreation and culture programming would you like to see offered in the downtown core? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.

  • Tell us how far you travel

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us how far you travel on Facebook Share Tell us how far you travel on Twitter Share Tell us how far you travel on Linkedin Email Tell us how far you travel link
    47 Responses

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    What distance do you currently travel for recreation or culture programming or activities? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.

  • Tell us how we can improve programming

    about 5 years ago
    Share Tell us how we can improve programming on Facebook Share Tell us how we can improve programming on Twitter Share Tell us how we can improve programming on Linkedin Email Tell us how we can improve programming link
    49 Responses

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    What ideas or opportunities can improve programming in the downtown core? Post your ideas in the forum below. Your ideas can include a link or picture. City staff will respond to ideas on a weekly basis if necessary.