A long-running fight over sidewalks and street design in Ottawa’s Manor Park neighbourhood is back in the spotlight. Months after the city deferred parts of the plan following community pushback, the project is resurfacing, as is the debate. Residents who thought they had successfully paused major changes to their streets now say they’re right back to where they started. “The fight is not over,” says Peter Burpee, a Manor Park resident who opposes the plan. “The community was purpose built as a quiet residential community 75 years ago. There has never been a pedestrian incident in 75 years.” The sidewalk plan is part of a broader road, water and sewer upgrade in the area, with city staff proposing sidewalks on four residential streets near St. Laurent Boulevard. “We thought things were settled. Apparently not,” says resident Mary Ellen Porter. “We don’t need sidewalks in this neighborhood, it’s perfectly safe.” Porter says she’s never had to deal with dangerous traffic while walking in the area. “I’m out here a fair bit, I’ve never had to dodge traffic,” she says. City officials say the sidewalk would improve safety and accessibility and argue it’s more cost-effective to build them now. A city report estimates the work would cost about $180,000 as part of the current project, compared to between $500,000 and $700,000 if built later. Burpee says he got involved in the debate because he was approached by some of his neighbours with disabilities or mobility issues who claim the sidewalks wouldn’t help. “All of those people say they cannot deal with sidewalks, their children or they’re the adults, people with mobility issues can’t deal with sidewalks,” Burpee says. “There isn’t a problem here for mobility, there isn’t a problem for accessibility so don’t try and force a one-size-fits-all solution for the wider city on a quiet residential area that doesn’t require it.” Some residents also raise concerns about winter maintenance and how the change could affect the character of the neighborhood. “There’s snow and ice and I feel like it needs a lot of maintenance,” said Hélène Le Pommellet. “That can become an issue when you’re not the first one that is maintained.” Others worry about impacts to green space and parking. “The city has designed neighbourhoods in the past to be without sidewalks,” Burpee says. “And the peripheral streets around those neighbourhoods have sidewalks.” As the city moves into its next phase, residents on both sides are preparing to weigh in. “It’s important to not just listen to your paid consultants, but listen to the voters and taxpayers,” Burpee adds. “90 per cent of them do not want sidewalks.” CTV News Ottawa reached out to Coun. Rawlson King but said in an email he would not comment on the issue until he had a chance to review the report and options. City staff are expected to bring the project to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on March 30. If approved, it would then move to city council for a final decision.
