Elmhurst Park

Parks, QTN, Intensification, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

A draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan has been developed to accompany the new Official Plan. It updates city-wide goals for parkland and recreational facilities as Ottawa grows, but it falls short in dealing with intensification, the central issue facing Ottawa and QTN.

As an example, the current standard of one recreational complex for every 44,300 residents will change to one for every 50,000 residents with a recommendation to add one new facility in the next twenty years – on the other side of the city. Children, it says, should have access to a playground within a 5 to 10 minute walk. It sets standards for parkland and 22 different kinds of recreational facilities. If you are involved in sports, you may want to check what the plan says about your sport (PDF; City of Ottawa). Some QTN residents will be interested in plans to develop strategies for pickleball and skateboarding; both of these were named in the QTN survey as areas of interest.

The plan is oriented toward provincial policies and designed to provide a basis for legally requiring the dedication of parkland or cash for parks when new major developments are approved. While that is important, equally important is clarity about the relationship between the proposed forms of intensification and the provision of space for recreation. The draft plan lacks a vision that could galvanize public support for forms of intensification that improve neighborhoods. It does nothing to address the following key questions raised by QTN and other communities.

Lack of Neighborhood Level Planning

The plan includes no mechanisms to link city-wide targets with neighborhood park plans. While it recognizes the importance of recreational activity for health, it doesn’t translate that into a neighborhood-based approach to parks and recreation. It explicitly states that the city-wide guidelines do not apply to any particular neighborhood.

This approach leaves QTN and some other neighborhoods at the end of long lists of demands for repair or upgrading facilities, without hope of seeing what seem like basics for a growing population – like play structures for all ages, one of the priorities named by respondents in the QTN survey of park uses. While we welcome the replacement of one play structure in 2024, many children will be grown up before they have a playground that fosters their full development. Our long-running fight for community use of the Frank Ryan Fieldhouse still has no end in sight.

Inequitable treatment of different forms of intensification

The number of additional park users in QTN as a result of four-plexes replacing single family homes is more than equivalent to adding an apartment of 10 units with 5 or more stories. A large apartment building would trigger funding for parks, but many four-plexes or walk-ups do not. The much vaunted “613 Flats,” a proposed form of intensification for QTN, will not result in additional funds for playgrounds or park space, while it will dramatically reduce the amount of play space and green space around and between houses.

The current policy results in inequitable treatment between neighborhoods. While the plan names some of these issues in the section on funding, it does not propose any solutions. Part of the problem is provincial policy. Part of it is the lack of a clear and consistent approach to community services related to intensification. The City of Ottawa could work with community associations to change provincial policies if there was a clear policy about community benefits, to replace the current jockeying for cash-in-lieu payments associated with large development projects. The current draft lacks the vision we need to make intensification work for everyone.

Time lag

The priorities identified in the QTN Use of Parks Survey are reasonable and consistent with the goal of 15-Minute Neighborhoods. I see nothing in this draft city plan for parks and recreation that will address the long lag time between identified needs and improvements in the provision and maintenance of local recreational infrastructure and activities. QTN Community Association will continue to advocate for the priorities named by residents. We can organize some activities ourselves. We also need change in City policies to give higher priority to local parks and recreation.

Use of Park Spaces in QTN: Survey Results and Analysis

QTN residents care deeply about the green spaces and parks in our neighborhood. That came through strongly in the 214 responses to a survey sponsored by the community association. The responses included desired uses, suggestions for improvements, and concerns. These will inform further discussions within QTN and with City parks officials and our City Councillor.

Click here to review the results & analysis (PDF)

Updated – Management of QTN’s Tree Canopy and Forests – Q&A

Your community association and its network of volunteers have compiled this information piece to answer the most common questions on tree management in QTN. Click on any of the questions below to learn more.

The City’s Forestry Department is staffed by nine trained Professional Foresters recognized by the Province of Ontario. Professional foresters work includes anything to do with the development, management, conservation and sustainability of forests, including urban forests, which requires postsecondary education and experience. They are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating all activities related to forest management. They make decisions such as when, where and how to harvest and reforest areas. They also ensure the protection of forest values including fish, wildlife and water.

The complete definition of what a Professional Forester does is set out in the Professional Foresters Act, 2000: found here: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_00p18_e.htm
Emerald Ash Borer was identified as a significant concern in 2015 by the City foresters. Frank Ryan Park and Elmhurst Woods were woodlots with a large proportions of ash trees identified. Specifically, City foresters noted several ash trees in Elmhurst Woods with visible root flare weakness and increasing numbers of failures (falling trees). In the interest of public safety, the City came in and removed the dead ash trees.

Infected Ash Borer trees deemed to be a safety concern were removed from the two Woods in the winter of 2015 and in the fall of 2020. In the spring 2015, 2,500 saplings from native species were planted to replace the lost of the lost ash trees and increase species diversity. Subsequent monitoring in 2019 resulted in the planting of an additional 500 trees. In the summer of 2021, excess tree trunks left in Elmhurst Woods were removed and some of the mulch from these trunks was spread over the main trails. The planting of saplings is scheduled for that area during the 2022-2023 season as well as some discrete areas in Frank Ryan Woods where tree cover is light.
The City has identified dead or critically ill trees in Elmhurst Woods with a red mark. Although a tree may be marked at this time, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be removed. The City evaluates which trees need to be removed based on an evaluation of safety risks. For example, if there are no targets (i.e. the tree is not close to residences or trails) the tree might be left standing. The City also looks at leaving snags where possible and leaving an appropriate amount of debris for forest nutrients and habitat.
The City staff are aware of the wildlife components of the woodlots and they endeavour to leave beneficial trees when possible, including leaving the trunk of dead trees standing (these are known as ‘snags’), as long as it is a safe distance from walking paths or other features (e.g., fences, houses). You can see an example of recent and older snags left intentionally in the center of Elmhurst Woods. These contribute to the natural forest ecosystem.

Unfortunately, City Arborists are generally not allowed to climb dead trees so would be unable to cut the tops of trees out for this purpose. This has limited the number of possibilities for leaving dead trunks to benefit wildlife as they can only do this for dead trees they can reach with a bucket truck and NOT damage other trees while doing so.
Yes, as an example, in the spring of 2015, 2,500 saplings from native species were planted in Elmhurst and Frank Ryan Woods to replace the lost ash trees and increase species diversity. Subsequent monitoring in 2019 resulted in the planting of an additional 500 trees. Saplings are scheduled to be added to the upper part of Elmhurst Woods and in some discrete areas in Frank Ryan Woods during the 2022-2023 season. The QTN community association has also been promoting the regeneration of the tree canopy. At our request, the City has replaced dead trees in Frank Ryan along the parking lot and gazebo and added new ones near the baseball diamond. We have been collecting suggestions on where additional trees could be added to City properties and are periodically making recommendations to the City. If you have identified tree gaps in parts of QTN (e.g., on a particular block or near a public building), please tell us at nature.qtn@gmail.com.
The planted trees are monitored three times over a 5-7 year period using sample plots. Sample plots allow the foresters to determine the relative health of all planted trees by looking at smaller representative samples of trees. The goal for the tree plantings and for Frank Ryan Park and Elmhurst Woods is to create a safe and more diverse forest so that these areas can continue to contribute positively to the community and all the other benefits that urban woodlots provide.
The QTN association has requested that notifications for work to be taken place in our forest be provided by the City. At this time, we expect that such notification would be funneled through the Bay Ward Councillor’s office. You can sign up to receive weekly news update from the Councillor’s office here: https://www.baywardbulletin.ca/
The City of Ottawa states “Compensation for privately owned trees will vary depending on the circumstances of the removal. In non-development scenarios, replacement of the tree at a 1:1 ratio will be required. For infill development, tree replacement is required at a 2:1 ratio for distinctive trees 30 to 49 cm in diameter and at a 3:1 ratio for distinctive trees 50 cm or greater in diameter. Financial compensation may be accepted if some of the required compensation trees cannot be accommodated on the site. Developments proceeding under the Planning Act will be required to provide suitable numbers of new or replacement trees through the required Landscape Plan.”

Tree compensation requirements are provided in Schedule B of the Tree Protection (By-law No. 2020-340) which came into effect on January 1st, 2021 and found here: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/laws-licences-and-permits/laws/laws-z/tree-protection-law-no-2020-340#section-695bd9df-6cab-4f74-88c2-8c03f3a2bb71
Spongy moth is an invasive forest insect that reaches periodic outbreak levels in Ontario. Throughout 2020 the caterpillar stage of this insect was observed to cause widespread defoliation of trees in many parts of southern and eastern Ontario. This insect caused noticeable defoliation of trees in all QTN in the summer of 2021. The insect is still present this summer of 2022; however, the defoliation so far appears less extensive than previous year.

City Forestry staff are aware and monitoring the situation with spongy moth. City staff are in contact with experts and stakeholders across the province.

Defoliation does not typically harm the tree or cause mortality. In many cases trees can produce additional leaves later in a growing season to compensate for losses.

There are individual control options for residents to consider in order to reduce the impact of the spongy moth on their property – primarily physical removal of caterpillars and egg masses.

Questions about insects on City trees or specific questions about insect control can be directed to 311 (613-580-2400 or 311@Ottawa.ca).

For more information about the gypsy moth visit:
The City of Ottawa has a variety of existing tree planting programs that can be found on their website, including suggestions for parks and streetscape plantings, commemorative tree planting, and schoolyard tree planting. Details found here: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/trees-and-urban-forests/tree-planting

Ecology Ottawa organises tree giveaways annually during the planting season (from spring the fall). Their staff of volunteers can advise you on the best species to plant at your location. You can visit any of their pop-up tree giveaway location and take home saplings for planting on your private property. QTN has been the host of such giveaways in the summer of 2021 and spring 2022 and are planning to make these an annual event. The Ecology Ottawa tree giveaway calendar is here: https://www.ecologyottawa.ca/tree_giveaway_events
May 2022 was marked by a major storm event that resulted in many fallen branches and uprooted trees. That might make us wonder if it’s worth having the trees in an urban setting. The answer is absolutely yes!

Neighbourhoods with trees and natural areas promote physical activity which benefits health and well being. Spending time around trees and in urban rural areas helps to reduce stress, anger, fatigue, sadness and anxiety and it also helps to increase energy. Trees moderate temperature and can help your save on your air conditioning costs. They provide shade to help us through the heat waves and provide natural protection against UV rays. Trees are life! They produce oxygen, clean our air and are host to a variety of ecological species.

There are steps that can be taken to minimize the risk that trees and branches fall during extreme weather events. To name a few, arborists suggest having your trees trimmed regularly, planning for and maintaining sufficient rooting space, and avoiding placing mulch at the base of the tree.
Although an official “bill of health” has not been produced for our woods, fellow neighbours have attested of the presence of a variety of species. A diverse ecosystem generally means a more resilient one.

One invasive species has been spotted along the main trail of Frank Ryan wood: the garlic mustard. This garlic mustard is edible and was introduced as a food source. It is deemed invasive because where present, it will tend to take over areas and impact biodiversity. To prevent spreading of non native plants, we ask you to not plant along the forest edges and to not dispose of yard or garden plants in the forest. You can learn more about invasive plants and alternative plants for your garden from the Grow-Me-Instead booklet: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/GMI-Booklet_FINAL-FOR-WEB_May132016.pdf