Roads in front of 2 Ottawa schools could be closed this fall for ‘school streets’ pilot project

(Caleb Oquendo/Pexels)

The roadway in front of two Ottawa schools could be closed during pickup and drop-off times this fall as part of a pilot project between the City of Ottawa and a third party non-profit group.

A report prepared for the public works and infrastructure committee meeting on June 25 recommends councillors give staff the authority to enter into an agreement with EnviroCentre to implement a “school streets” project in front of Hopewell Avenue Public School and Francojeunesse Public School on Osgoode Street.

“School Streets involve temporarily closing a segment of roadway near a school to vehicular traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, creating a controlled environment with limited to no motorized traffic,” the report says. “This type of road closure, typically carried out with temporary barriers, is intended to improve safety and encourage healthy active transportation choices.”

The idea is included in the council-approved Transportation Master Plan, which says piloting a school streets program could support safe, active trips to school.

A previous report said neither city staff nor the Ottawa Police Service have the resources to manage recurring road closures required for school street programs, but if a third party were to bear the cost and manage the logistics, it could be feasible around a select number of schools.

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According to staff, fewer than one in five schools meet the criteria for school streets.

Staff say, however, that the non-profit organization EnviroCentre has expressed interest in partnering with the city for a school streets program. The group is currently contracted to deliver Ottawa’s School Active Transportation Program that has been implemented at more than 50 schools.

If approved by council, staff would enter into an agreement with EnviroCentre to plan, coordinate, and operate the School Street pilot projects, which would take place during the fall of 2026. Staff say the pilot projects are supported by the National Active School Streets Initiative with financial support from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“The agreement will include insurance and indemnification requirements and would clearly set out the responsibilities of the parties,” the report says. “As the third-party proponent, EnviroCentre will assume primary responsibility for day-to-day management of the initiative, coordination with relevant stakeholders, compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and adherence to any conditions stipulated by the City of Ottawa.”

In comments included in the report, Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard said the project would be great news for Hopewell Avenue Public School.

“Many students walk or bike to school, and road safety has always been an important issue to parents and staff. We are happy to see this proposed pilot and we hope that it can be expanded across the city,” he wrote.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, however, said the plan does not go far enough.

“While I appreciate the operational analysis contained in the report, I was surprised by the limited discussion of existing School Street initiatives and lessons learned from Ottawa, Gatineau, Quebec City, Kingston, and other jurisdictions. The report thoroughly examines operational requirements, liability, staffing, and road closure logistics, but it does not fully reflect the growing body of evidence and experience that already exists both locally and elsewhere,” Plante said.

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She said EnviroCentre’s feasibility study outlined benefits such as increased active transportation, reduced congestion immediately in front of schools, improved air quality around school zones, greater independent mobility for children, and stronger community connections.

“The report would have benefited from a broader review of existing School Street models and experiences, particularly those already taking place in neighbouring communities. Just across the river, Gatineau and organizations such as MOBI-O have been actively advancing School Streets and experimenting with different approaches,” Plante said. “Quebec City has also undertaken pilot projects, developed public participation processes, and actively recruited volunteers to support implementation. It would have been helpful to understand whether staff engaged with these organizations and what lessons could be applied in Ottawa.”

If approved, the school streets would be implemented on Hopewell Avenue between Grosvenor Avenue and Bank Street and on Osgoode Street between Henderson Avenue and Nelson Street.