Volunteer

Fall clean-up (Sept 25) & updates on trees in Frank Ryan and Elmhurst parks

Fall clean-up event
Come help clean up our neighbourhood. We will be cleaning our parks, greenspaces, and surrounding areas. Meet us at Frank Ryan Field House on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM to get supplies and choose an area to clean. Latex gloves and garbage bags will be provided. In the event of rain, we will reschedule to Sunday, September 26, 2021.

You can add this event to your calendar by subscribing to our Google Calendar or to our Facebook Page. Regular updates are also shared with the local community Facebook Group – a good place to chat and meet your neighbours.

Update – Evergreen tree proposal at Frank Ryan
The City has reviewed our request for evergreen trees to be added to Frank Ryan Park to help shield the rink from the north wind. Upon consideration of other park usage and operations, the City is planning to add two White Pine trees northwest of the rink. Because of the equipment used during the annual rink installation, particularly the need for a boom truck to install the lights, it will not be possible to get trees installed directly north of the rink. Two hackberry trees will also be planted between the gazebo and the basketball court. Two replacement trees will be planted along Stuart Kettles St. parking lot, one hackberry and one honey locus. The work is scheduled to take place this fall. If you have any comments on this work plan or have ideas for additional planting in QTN please let us know at nature.qtn@gmail.com.

Update – Removal of Dead Wood in Elmhurst Forest
Removal of dead wood took place throughout the summer and the work is nearing completion. The City has informed us that they plan on substituting the former gatepost at the Elmhurst entrance with large rocks once they have completed the tree removal and clean-up. On your next walk, look for the snags that were left standing from the latest tree cutting event. They will help provide a variety of habitats for the Elmhurst wildlife (new and older snag photos provided).

Additional Information to keep QTN clean!

The Paint It Up mural project is moving ahead!

QTNca was successful in applying for a Crime Prevention Ottawa grant to beautify the neighbourhood, address graffiti issues, and engage youth.

Six area youth will be working with House of Paint and local artist Jimmy Baptiste to design and paint a mural on the Frank Ryan Park building. The painting is scheduled to take place 16-21 August (weather dependent). Check out Jimmy’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

What can you do?

The youth are learning about the art, techniques, and design. They will also be given a chance to develop presentation and public speaking when they present their designs at an. Online community consultation session Tuesday August 7th.

You’re invited to participate in the upcoming community consultation happening Tuesday August 3rd at 7 PM (Zoom call details below). The youth will be presenting their ideas for the mural that will be painted on the north said of the Frank Ryan shack. The young people would love to hear what you think.

You are also welcome to come out and watch the painting as the mural takes shape Aug 16-20!!

Here’s the link for Tuesday evening:

Time: Aug 3, 2021 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82962890615?pwd=SWp5VUhaUndyQnZ6UEhPT2xNRlVZZz09
Meeting ID: 829 6289 0615
Passcode: 407563
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kTSI3mDh1

Volunteers needed: Lets beautify the Elmhurst paths on March 30 & April 2!

We are calling all walkers, dog walkers, bird watchers, and anyone who likes exploring the trails in QTN.

We need your help to spread mulch along the paths in Elmhurst Park and are asking that as you finish your day tomorrow (March 30), to meet us at the corner of Alpine and Henley starting at 3:00 PM. Please bring your mask, a shovel or a rake, and if possible – a wheelbarrow.

Update: due to the amount of paths to cover, we will also be working on Friday April 2nd start at 8:00 AM until around 12:00 PM.

Update: Brent from Pilon Landworks (http://www.pilonlandworks.ca/ thank you!) will be helping the community with a tractor and shuttling mulch to the park entrances as of 10:00 AM. On April 2nd if you are:
  • Starting at 8:00 AM? Meet us at Alpine entrance
  • Starting at 10:00 AM? Meet us at the Elmhurst entrances

Why the short notice?

As part of the City’s Queensway Terrace Storm Sewer Rehabilitation project, a number of trees had to be taken down along the north side of Henley Street to make way for new infrastructure (storm sewer and sidewalk). Our natural environment  committee, along with many of your neighbours, arranged to have the mulch from this work kept on site and the City approved its use for beautifying local paths! Since the trees have just been cut, it is important that we spread the mulch as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow!