Village Green Park Centennial Garden Rehabilitation

I agree with refurbishing the central circle that is badly deteriorated and replacing with durable materials to last. There should be seating at perimeter of the circle but not to overwhelm the sense of open space. So a balance of seating with path and open surface. The plantings will need to be maintained so materials that are hardy and self sustaining requiring a minimum of human intervention should be favoured. Sometimes less is more. I like the natural path that goes from the Centennial Garden space to the Jubilee Garden space as each area has its special magic. No formal pathway is needed as there is no path in the Jubilee area. Important to keep the snow plow activity away from benches and refurbished circle. Some of the current benches backless were replaced several years ago and are in good shape so perhaps they could be re purposed in other parts of that City park maybe along Springfield but again not in the line of snow plow activity. Any commemorative plaque on benches not being re purposed should be moved to another bench and possibly one of the new ones. To avoid potential mishaps consideration could be given to logical level of snow plowing as most parks with paths in the neighbourhood are not winter groomed but still very well used by walkers snow shoers and skiers. The Village Green park simply has different uses in the winter as does the Centennial Garden area and quiet contemplation on a snowy night is high on the list. A single path from Springfield with its sidewalk across the park toward Buchan Road would get walkers and those heading to skating rink safely underway. Others will happily trek along their own self made pathes in the snow.

The plan looks fine as a rehabilitation, which is sorely needed. Some minor suggestions: I would have liked to see an accessible path right through the park so that it can be part of someone's route or shortcut. The current plan means people need to backtrack from the circle along the single path. Are all the paths in the park going to be redone? At the moment, the asphalt is crumbling a a couple of them. I don't understand the plan for the trees. Many of the trees on this circle are stumps at the moment, having died in the last few years. Integrating the plaques from the current benches would also be nice since some of the benefactors are important figures in Ottawa history. The design would also benefit from a stronger connection to the Centennial Garden, perhaps something that incorporates the metal pine cone sculptures into a more delineated path (but still informal).

I think my comments generally agree with the three that are posted here except that I do not agree that one side of the cedar hedge enclosing the Jubilee Garden should be removed - that hedge is part of the original Humphrey Carver design and is a heritage feature. I am worried about the city's long-term commitment to the maintenance of the Stone Circle as I see nothing in the proposal that includes maintenance. I will submit more extensive and somewhat technical comments directly to Ms Proteau and Councillor King.

I understand that what will be renovated is the paved rock circle in the middle of the garden. About time - it has been badly deteriorated for at least twenty years. At present it is paved in a mix of blacktop and river stone, neither of which can comfortably be walked on in their existing state. The key issue is whether walkers will be able to walk only around the periphery (as at present) or across the circle. I suggest the latter would be better. It would be excellent to have some flower beds, maintained in the same way that the NCC maintains the flower beds in the Rockeries nearby. However, the City is unlikely to make that commitment, I think. Therefore, the best we can hope for is that the repaving of the circle will be entirely in natural stone (no blacktop) and that it be walkable. I also think that the adjacent "bowling green" should be visually connected to the Circle and the Park by removing the dividing hedge on the Park/Bowling Green boundary (leaving the hedge facing the streets). There is no need for bushes close around the paved circle, native or otherwise - leave that aspect as it is, an open circle, with two big rocks in the middle and paved with flat natural rock, with some benches around the periphery.

Overall I think the plans are on the right track. I would like to see an even greater variety of native plants/flowers/shrubs to fill out the space and ensure that the gardens are in bloom throughout the seasons with a greater mix of colour and texture, as well as to be able to attract more pollinators. I welcome additional seating that is sympathetic in shape and form to the undulating and circular forms of the garden, but would encourage materials that (while durable) are comfortable to actually sit on. IT will be nice to see this lovely space cleaned up and revitalized, with some additional pruning of dead branches and a focus on ensuring the long-term health of the trees.

I often walk through my neighbourhood and regularly spend time in and around Centennial Garden. Sitting to enjoy the green space and sometimes read. As a renter living in the neighbouring community of Lindenlea, without access to a private garden, I deeply value public gardens like this one.

I’m glad to see the inclusion of native plant species in the proposed renewal, this is a great step. I would encourage the addition of even more flowering native plants to enhance the garden's beauty and support local pollinators. More public gardens like this are greatly needed across our communities, especially for those of us who rely on shared green spaces.

Additionally, in the longer stretches of the garden not interrupted by pathways, it would be wonderful to see more continuous seating options added. I would personally prefer wooden benches over metal ones, as they are more comfortable and inviting.