Issues

What are the Burning Issues in our community?

Here are the key issues that are now of concern to the Queensway Terrace North Community Association.

Keep up to date with what's happening on these important items - click on the links below to learn more on each issue.

Noise Levels from Highway 417	Residents on Severn Avenue are not satisified with the Ministry of Transport's response to their complaints about high traffic noise from the 417. Click here to learn more.
Zoning	The Queensway Terrace North Community Association feels strongly that we must fight to preserve the nature of our community from zoning that will allow higher density housing or commercialization in our area. We've already lost re-zoning hearings on this matter. Click here to learn more.
Keeping Frank Ryan Park Safe and Fun	Frank Ryan park is an oasis in the middle of our community. It provides a playground for our children as well as a venue for swimming, skating, hockey and baseball. There have, however, been problems at Frank Ryan with late night noise, rowdyism, vandalism and defacement of buildings and equipment. Alex Cullen has put out a flyer outlining how we can help keep Frank Ryan park more secure as well as fun.
NCC Thins Poplar Trees at Pinecrest Creek.	The National Capital Commission completed the thinning of hybid poplars at Pinecrest Creek the week of January 10 to 13.  It was amazing that 200 to 300 trees could be cut and stacked in such a short period of time. NCC staff are happy with the care taken by the contractor to cut the poplars with minimal damage to the trees under their canopy.   This project is meant to encourage the growth of the wide variety of trees that were stunted by the poplars that grew too fast and dominated the wooded area. Our Board of Directors is also pleased with the care the contractor took in carrying out the work.  We’re also happy with the consultation by the NCC.  They explained the project, gave an onsight tour, placed a noticeboard at the location, provided flyers and gave interviews.  The NCC has also promised to partner with our community to plant trees in the area if we decide it is necessary and beneficial. Background In the early 1980s, the National Capital Commission (NCC) initiated a study called the “Naturalization Project” to investigate various alternative approaches to open spaces management in this area. Small test areas were designed to allow for comparisons between different planting techniques, plant species associations, and the evaluation of various weed control methods, and implementation costs. These test areas utilized fast growing tree species, primarily hybrid poplar, as part of the woodland establishment.  The hybrid poplars (life expectancy of 30 to 40 years) were planted in combination with slow growing, longer lived tree species (life expectancy of 100 to 400 years), such as white pine, white spruce, white and red ash, and black walnut, which were intended to ultimately become the dominate woodland tree species. The original strategy detailed in the Naturalization Project report indicated that the poplars were intended to be thinned out and removed over time.  With the density of the initial planting, without such thinning and removal, the growth potential of the longer lived tree species now becomes suppressed as they are shaded by the faster growing poplars. The intention is to remove those poplars that are currently in competition with more desirable slow growing, long lived tree species.  Approximately 230 poplars have been identified for removal, among a woodland of several thousands of trees. For more information, please click * to consult an Information document (pdf – 206 Kb) or contact the NCC at (613) 239-5555 or send an email to info@ncc-ccn.ca.
Traffic	At our Annual General Meeting in November 2003, traffic was the “HOT” topic of discussion.    Residents are concerned about volume of traffic, speeding, running Stop signs and lack of policing.    Driver as well as pedestrian safety, especially for children attending Grant and Severn schools was emphasized.    You can find out more by reading 2004 A New Year story in The News.
Infrastructure	A number of older streets in our community need to be brought up to today’s standards.    Streets such as Connaught Avenue, Norton Avenue, and the northwest portion of Pinewood Crescent.    We’ve asked the city for a report on our community.
Other Issues	810 Norton Ave - An Eyesore in our Community Click Here to read an Ottawa Sun article about this eyesore. Click Here to read about its demise.

Feel there is something else that should be added to this list? Click here to drop us an e-mail message with your view on what should be an important issue in our community.