Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King says a plan to install sidewalks in the Manor Park neighbourhood as part of a road renewal project will be deferred. King announced the deferral in his newsletter on Friday. “Critical underground infrastructure such as sewers, watermains, roadways, and curbs will proceed as scheduled. This decision does not come lightly and is based on extensive community consultation and technical and policy analysis,” King wrote. The construction project on Arundel Avenue, Braemar Street, Farnham Crescent, Finter Street, Jeffrey Avenue and Kilbarry Crescent includes watermain and sewer replacement work, and the reconstruction of the road with new pavement, curbs and catch basins. It was also going to include concrete sidewalks, but residents who live in the neighbourhood campaigned heavily against the installation of sidewalks, saying it is a “self-contained residential area” that was designed 75 years ago. According to a report on King’s website, a survey of 338 respondents revealed “overwhelming opposition” to the sidewalks, with 79 per cent saying they were against installing them. The survey results were broken down street by street, with respondents on Kilbarry Crescent, Farnham Crescent, Eastbourne Avenue and Braemar Street showing zero support for sidewalks. Only three residents on Arundel Avenue supported the plan out of 34 responses. Manor Park residents who lived on streets that were not getting sidewalks were more supportive of the plan, but most were still against it. “I think Manor Park put forward a very good effort and I would not ever be convinced that having sidewalks was a safety measure,” said resident Dawn Logan. “We’re actually very happy that it’s been deferred,” said longtime resident Christina Caron. “I’ve walked these streets for 30 years in all kinds of temperatures and with all kinds of different people and I actually think that we’re much safer without sidewalks.” King says opposition from the community played a role in his decision, but it was not the sole factor. “In the case of this specific infrastructure renewal project in Manor Park, there are holistic transportation considerations that still require consideration. Manor Park will experience an unprecedented convergence of major transportation and land-use changes that will fundamentally alter pedestrian patterns and mobility needs throughout the community,” King wrote in his report. “A select number of these interconnected changes will require holistic transportation planning to inform isolated infrastructure decisions. This integrated renewal project represents one of these occasions.” Many residents found the requirement to have sidewalks on at least one side of the street when doing work like this unnecessary. “There are so many neighbourhoods with no sidewalks now that would need sidewalks installed at a huge cost and the city’s trying to save money,” said Peter Burpee. “So you want to save money? Take out the sidewalks when you’re dealing with resurfacing in a safe, contained residential community.” Among the changes King identified in the report is a connection to Wateridge Village via Helmock Road and the reconstruction of Beechwood Avenue, which he said will “significantly alter pedestrian routes and traffic volumes throughout Manor Park,” and transform Beechwood into a “central active transportation spine.” His report says sidewalks could still be considered in future construction and should be revisited as part of a “holistic planning process.” “This deferral represents a strategic approach to infrastructure planning that prioritizes long-term community benefit over immediate implementation. By taking time to properly analyze the collective impact of multiple transportation changes, we can ensure that this specific sidewalk installation serves Manor Park optimally and integrates seamlessly with the community’s evolving transportation network,” he wrote. The Manor Park construction project is expected to cost $18.9 million and will be completed by the fall/winter of 2026. King said the estimated $150,000 cost to install the sidewalks will be removed from the project scope with this deferral. “I believe this deferral is a measured decision that balances the City’s active transportation objectives with the unique circumstances of Manor Park. By allowing for comprehensive transportation analysis, we ensure future investments are properly integrated, safe, and aligned with long-term community needs,” King wrote. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin
