Discussions are continuing between the city and the owners of the Dominican Gardens, over the fate of the Centretown greenspace, located between Empress and Lorne avenue.
Officials from the Dominican Convent, which owns the land, met with city officials recently to discuss and clarify matters regarding the sale of the property.
“We continue to be interested in the land they are willing to dispose of and we had a fruitful discussion. They are giving us some time to see what we are interested in doing. Should there be a resolution, it will reach the community and protective services committee,” says Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes, whose ward has the least amount of green space in the city.
“The city continues to study its options for the Dominican Gardens property. No decisions have been made at this point,” says Aaron Burry, director of parks and recreation for the city.
Sean Darcy, who lives across the street from the gardens, initiated a petition last year to save the garden from condominium developers after it was up for sale for $2.2 million. The petition, signed by 800 people, was presented to Holmes and three city committees that deal with parks and greenspace.
“Councillor Holmes and member of Parliament Paul Dewar are in support of the petition. (The committees) have endorsed it too, but they do not have the clout. We have to get the city to purchase it,” says Sean Darcy.
Meanwhile, Archie Campbell, president of the Dalhousie Community Association, asked the city to designate the land as a heritage site, says Darcy.
Somerset Ward falls well below the City of Ottawa’s official plan of four hectares of park and leisure land for every 1,000 residents. Darcy says the ward has 0.21 hectares of park land for 1,000 residents.
The city’s Master Green Space Plan notes that while the city can acquire additional lands inside the Greenbelt as parkland, “costs are high and opportunities few.”
Darcy says the Dominican Gardens is one such opportunity and should not be lost.
“The city has saved (millions) in the transit strike. It will be nice to see some of that go back to the garden,” says Darcy.
“Why would you want to lose more green space when there are areas in Somerset that are burnt and sitting idle?