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Introduction ........................................................................ 3

Site Descriptions Richelieu Park - Natural Capital ....................................... 4 Major’s Hill Park - Sense of Place .................................... 6 Corktown Footbridge - Transportation .............................. 8 FSS Building - Energy ...................................................... 10 Children’s Garden - Food ................................................. 12 Playground for Children of All Abilities - Health ................ 14 Mooney’s Bay Park - Recreation ...................................... 16 Fletcher Wildlife Garden - Habitat .................................... 18 Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence - Design ... 20 terra20 - Waste Reduction ................................................ 22

Key Organizations - Tour Planning ..................................... 24 Other Sites to Visit or Contact ............................................ 25 Cycling Tour Map ............................................................... 29 Cycling Tour Route ............................................................. 30 List of Contributors and Tasks ............................................ 34 Acknowledgements ............................................................ 35 Photo Credits ..................................................................... 35 Invitation ............................................................................. 35 Project Origin ..................................................................... 35 Websites for downloading tour book or questionnaire ........ 35 Caution, with humour ......................................................... 35

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Sustainability means using the resources of today intelligently to meet our needs while leaving enough for future generations to meet their needs. It’s about living in harmony with nature and improving the quali-ty of lives. It’s also about making the places we live in good for people. The ways in which humans did things in the past didn’t always have an eye toward sustainability. But as people and organizations we make choices. A good way to learn about sustainability is to view the suc-cesses of others.

On this tour you will visit ten excellent examples of sustainability, each in its theme as defined by the Biosphere Eco-City Initiative (obec-evbo.ca). Visit, enjoy, and use these sites as models in your life. All the sites are free to visit, from spring to fall. Some are also open in winter. Other good sites are listed at the end of this book, again by theme.

Page 29 shows the Cycling Tour Map (tinyurl.com/ottsusmap) followed by the textual Cycling Tour Route on Page 30. Ottawa is your city. Even if you live somewhere else in Canada, re-member that Canada’s capital belongs to you. If you come from anoth-er country, you’ll find that Ottawa is a world city. If you live here and know the city well, do the tour and see Ottawa in a new light. Ottawa is both large and small and so are the sites on the tour - from a large out-door recreation complex to a pedestrian and cycling bridge that is changing downtown traffic patterns. Explore Ottawa to get a sense of this place. Have fun!

HOW TO DO THE TOUR: Travel by whatever means you like. The ten sites are listed and shown as a route from east to west, but you can visit them in any order, or just focus on your favourite theme. If time permits, please fill out the questionnaire, which you can download from any of the websites listed on the back cover of this tour book. Tell us what you learned and let us know of any errors you find. Thank you.

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THEME: NATURAL CAPITAL

“maintaining land, water, soil, materials”

Natural capital is the potential of natural elements to meet human needs. To ensure the sustainability of our natural capital, we want to maintain land in a natural condition, preserve soils, protect waterways and use natural building materials (such as wood and rock) in intelligent ways.

Richelieu Park represents sustainable Natural Capital with healthy trees left standing to provide sap for maple syrup.

Description: From February to April, the park’s maple trees are tapped in the traditional way using hanging pails. The sap is collected to be boiled into maple syrup in the only urban sugar shack in North America. The Vanier Museopark is a francophone museum on the second floor of the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre in the 7-hectare Richelieu Park.

What to See and Do Here: Walk along the mildly sloping trails and listen to birds and chipmunks. In season, note the pails hanging on trees to collect maple sap and then taste pancakes with maple syrup at the sugar shack. The site is open all year and has many events. Maple treats, books by Vanier authors and other products are available at the Museoboutique. The Vanier Public Library is on-site.

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History/Culture: This site originally belonged to a society of missionaries known as the White Fathers. Here they produced maple syrup and taught theology. This was in the village of Eastview, which became Ottawa's main francophone area. In 1969, the neighbourhood was re-named Vanier in honour of Governor-General Georges Vanier.

Nearby Community Features: Circuit Vanier – Four different 2-hour walks to see nature and culture, including over 30 outdoor Vanier Murals that depict the area’s history. Guides are available upon reservation from the Museopark.

Cycling: This is the start of the tour. For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks available. Bus: Route 5, Stop 7040, 300 des Pères Blancs Avenue. Parking: Free on lot at end of cul-de-sac (where bus stops). Website: www.museoparc.ca

Location: 300 des Pères-Blancs Ave. Vanier.

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THEME: SENSE OF PLACE “belonging, sense of community, and stewardship”

People feel they belong when their neighbourhood or city meets their needs and when they interact with other community members. Some sites can inspire a sense of place. This feeling of belonging often leads to greater care for the social needs of others and to greater stewardship of the environment.

Description: Major’s Hill Park is Ottawa’s oldest park, formally established in 1875, and covering just over five hectares in the heart of the capital. A large lawn forms the centre of the park. Many of the walkways surrounding the lawn offer views out over the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River.

What to See and Do Here: A unique location, almost entirely surrounded by some of the city’s major landmarks: Chateau Laurier, American Embassy, National Art Gallery, Rideau Canal locks, and Parliament Hill. The Ottawa River, the original transportation backbone of the region, flows east toward Montreal.

History/Culture: When Ottawa was first founded, it was called Bytown, after Lieutenant-Colonel John By. It was little more than a base for the British Army to build the Rideau Canal. In 1826,

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Colonel By took up residence in a house on the hill. After he was replaced by Major Daniel Bolton in 1832, the land here became known as Major’s Hill. The house burned down in 1849, but some of its foundations are still visible. Today, the park is frequently used for major festivals and events in the capital.

Nearby Community Features: Byward Market – “On The Market” are shops, restaurants, bars, and market stalls selling produce and goods. National Gallery of Canada – Canada’s national art museum, home to many permanent and temporary exhibits. Nepean Point – Strategically located on the Ottawa River, excellent views of the twin cities.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks at National Art Gallery. Bus: Route 14, Stop 7557, Elgin/Rideau. Parking: National Gallery. Website: tinyurl.com/ottsusmhp

Location: Between MacKenzie Ave. and the Ottawa River, across the Rideau Canal from Parliament Hill.

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THEME: TRANSPORTATION

“movement of goods and people”

Sustainable transportation means moving goods and people using the fewest resources and polluting the least. For example, air travel is not very sustainable, whereas walking is.

Description: The Corktown Footbridge

takes pedestrians and cyclists across the historic Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skating rink in winter. On the east side lies the University of Ottawa in Sandy Hill with its Campus transitway station. The west side features the commercial and entertainment area of Elgin Street, Lisgar High School and City Hall. The bridge also connects the Rideau Canal’s Eastern and Western Pathways, which are important cycling and walking paths.

What to See and Do Here: The bridge itself is elegant. From it you can see beautiful views of the city in all directions. This is one of the best views of the Rideau Canal, with canoes and cruise boats in summer and skaters in winter. Padlocks line the bridge’s railings, attached there by lovers who then threw away the keys, symbolising an everlasting commitment. This is a more common practice in Europe, but the body of water crossed by this bridge is itself linked by 47 “canal locks” from Ottawa to Kingston.

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History/Culture: The bridge was named after the shanty settlement of Corktown that housed Irish workers during construction of the Rideau Canal. It honours their work and sacrifice.

Nearby Community Features: University of Ottawa – The world’s largest bilingual university, with 41,000 students.

Ottawa City Hall – 3 blocks west and north of the bridge.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. No bike racks. Bus: Route 97, Stop 3021, Campus 2A. Parking: West side, on nearby streets. East side, University of Ottawa. Website: None

Location: 400 m south of the Laurier Ave. Bridge.

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THEME: ENERGY

“for buildings, transportation, manufacturing and food”

Conserving energy and reducing its use are very important aspects of sustainability. Energy conservation is vibrant in Ottawa. This includes building retrofitting (the addition of new technology or features to older systems),

expansion of public transit, and exploration of district heating systems. Alternative energy sources are also being explored: solar, ground- source heating, and biogas collection on farms.

Description: Completed in 2012 to house the Faculty of Social Sciences, the university's newest tower is environmentally friendly with a heat-recovery system (the building does not need to be heated unless the temperature goes below -17° C). The building was designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) “gold” certification. During much of the winter, it shares its extra heat with other campus buildings and helps heat water on campus during summer.

What to See and Do Here: From the 5th floor, see the 6-storey green wall, North America's largest indoor living wall, in the main atrium. Note how much natural light there is – 95% of the building

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receives daylight. Stop at Première Moisson on the first floor for fair-trade, organic coffee, and meat and dairy products from local farmers.

History/Culture: Founded in 1848, the University of Ottawa is one of Canada's top ten research institutions. With 41,000 students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs, the university is an important part of the city.

Nearby Community Features: University of Ottawa campus – neat buildings, including historic Taberet Hall. Sandy Hill – One of Ottawa's most historic neighbourhoods, with mansions. Strathcona Park – On the Rideau River, home to many community events. Elgin Street – Shops, restaurants, bars.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks. Bus: Route 16, Stop 6796, Campus 1A. Parking: On campus. Website: www.uottawa.ca/maps/building/fss

Location: 120 University Ave., on the central-western portion of campus, just north of the Campus Transitway station.

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THEME: FOOD

“local food, heritage crops and animals, urban gardens”

This site’s main purpose is to serve as a space to engage and educate the senses, the mind and the imagination in terms of our relationships with nature, particularly with respect to food. The focus is on kids, but adults

are welcome to help.

Description: Children design and operate this garden that features organic food, perennial plants, shrubs and trees. They create elaborate signs for their individual plants, while adults help with some of the heavier work and organize group activities. A colourful picket fence surrounding the garden makes it very easy to find.

What to See and Do Here: A flagstone pathway, level enough for wheelchairs, takes you to raised organic vegetable beds, a seating circle for story-time and activities, a 3-stage composting bin, and a “twigloo” play structure. Off the pathway is a woodland garden at the back. The Children’s Garden is a place for play-groups, workshops (e.g. art-making, organic gardening), and harvest feasts.

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History/Culture: In 2008, the City agreed to allow the community group Sustainable Living Ottawa East to turn an underused urban park into the city’s first designated children’s garden.

Nearby Community Features: Main Farmers’ Market (www.mainfarmersmarket.org/) –Saturdays at Saint Paul University. Ottawa East Community Garden – behind the university.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks outside and inside garden. Bus: Route 16, Stop 7639, Main/Hazel. Parking: On nearby streets. Website: www.sustainablelivingottawaeast.ca

Location: Northeast corner of Main St., at Clegg St., just off the St. Paul University campus.

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THEME: HEALTH

“clean air/water, safety, healthy access to environment”

Clean air, water and soil in urban regions is essential to sustainability. So is safety, which relates to buildings, traffic and community programs. Access to the outdoors is important and activities that provide this to less able members of

our cities are commendable.

Description: This large playground in Brewer Park provides outdoor fun for children with physical, developmental, cognitive, learning, hearing or visual disabilities and impairments. Other children like it too. There are also shaded areas to take a break out of the sun.

What to See and Do Here: An enclosed swing and a swinging platform cater to children who cannot use a regular seat but who love to sway in the breeze. Minimum slopes provide wheelchair access to all play areas, while soft modular tiles under some equipment help prevent injuries from falls. Gear and puzzle panels, pictures, labyrinths, crawl tunnels, and sound and sensory panels help kids learn. The Rideau River is located within walking distance south of the playground.

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History/Culture: Ottawa Rotary clubs got the idea from a sister club in Australia and cooperated to build the playground for the 2005 Rotary Centennial. The playground is located in Brewer Park, which began as a public beach (now closed) on the Rideau River.

Nearby Community Features: House of Paint graffiti wall (www.houseofpaint.ca) – Annual painting & dance festival. Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Brewer Park. Brewer Park Pond.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. No bike racks, but users leave their bikes on the grass. Bus: Route 4, Stop 6790, Sunnyside/Bronson. Parking: On the street. Website: vanrijn.ca/files/RotaryPark/

Location: On Seneca, three blocks south of Sunnyside Ave.

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THEME: RECREATION

“urban and rural, greening sports events”

Many forms of recreation, from walking or horseback riding to ultimate frisbee, bring pleasure with low environmental impact. Parks and pathways are important in both urban and rural parts of the city. Farm holidays teach food production to urban folk. Outdoor sports events can be

made more sustainable with enhanced public transit, carbon offsets, the sale of healthy food and drinks, and the increased availability of drinking fountains.

Description: This is a large park on the Rideau River with grass, mature trees and a sand beach. It is popular for wedding photos because of its natural beauty. Picnic tables, tennis courts, a playground and volleyball nets provide opportunities for outdoor recreation for people of all ages. Across the toboggan hill, you can see an outdoor track and sports field that hosted the international 2001 Francophone Games.

What to See and Do Here: As you walk along the natural shoreline you can watch dragon boats and kayaks moving along the river. In the central part, on the beach, you can see volleyball games all through summer. There are also tennis courts, play structures,

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cycling and cross-country skiing.

History/Culture: Mooney’s Bay was originally a swimming area, but many other activities are now available here. The world’s largest one-day beach volleyball tournament takes place here in mid-July to raise money for local charities.

Nearby Community Features: Carleton University (www.carleton.ca) – Canada’s Capital University, with 26,000 students. Hog’s Back Park (www.canadascapital.gc.ca) – overlooks the spectacular Hog’s Back Falls on the Rideau River.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks. Bus: Route 87, Stop 1525, Riverside/Walkley. Parking: Pay parking. Website: tinyurl.com/ottsusmb

Location: The park entrance is a west turn off Riverside Dr. between Walkley Rd. and Brookfield Rd.

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THEME: HABITAT

“urban green space, rural environment, connectivity”

The ongoing destruction of forests, fields and wetlands is one of the greatest menaces to wildlife. The Fletcher Wildlife Garden demonstrates the plants and variety of natural settings necessary to support small animals (bugs to frogs to chipmunks) in the Ottawa area.

Description: The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is a naturalised area in Ottawa. Managed by the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC), it has a backyard garden, butterfly meadow, pond, old field, mixed woodlot, ash woodlot, hedgerow, and ravine with a stream. Volunteers restore and enhance these habitats.

What to See and Do Here: Follow the Bill Holland Trail to visit the various habitats in the Garden. Visit the Backyard Garden (behind the Interpretation Centre) to learn what you can plant on your own land. Information on wildlife, gardening, habitat conservation, "how-to" leaflets, plant and animal lists, and an extensive photo blog are available on the website: www.ofnc.ca/fletcher. Print materials are available at the Centre on Friday mornings and Sunday afternoons during the summer when volunteers are working and the Centre is open.

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History/Culture: The idea for a "wildlife garden" in Ottawa, where people could learn how to garden in a more wildlife-friendly manner and learn about local wildlife, was proposed by Peter and Judy Hall in 1987 as part of a national celebration of wildlife. The site chosen was successfully negotiated with the federal government. The site was officially opened in 1990.

Nearby Community Features: Arboretum (www.friendsofthefarm.ca/gardens.htm) – 1700 varieties of trees on 26 hectares. Canada Agriculture Museum (tinyurl.com/ottsusagmus). A working farm in the city.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks near the Interpretation Centre. Bus: Route 85 (all week), Stop 8021, Carling/Irving, walk 20 min. OR, Route 185 (Sat/Sun only), Stop 1586, Central Experimental Farm, walk 9 min. Parking: Parking at the baseball diamond along the entry road. Website: www.ofnc.ca/fletcher

Location: The entry road is signed and runs east off Prince of Wales Drive, just south of the Arboretum and across from the Canada Agriculture Museum.

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THEME: DESIGN

“built environment”

A building that is made sustainably is one in which the entire conception, from positioning to material selection to functionality, reflect the desire to cause the least harm to the environment and to the people who use it.

Description: Not only are many courses on green building practices offered here, but ACCE is a reflection of what is taught in the building. It has LEED Platinum Certification and features many innovative aspects that you can see.

What to See and Do Here: If you take the self-guided tour, downloadable from the website (see address below), you can see this uniquely green building that serves as a one-of-a-kind living laboratory, demonstrating what is possible through innovative, environmentally friendly design, construction, maintenance and operation. Highlights include a five-storey living wall, an expansive atrium, technical shops and labs, study pods, a mobile access centre, critique rooms, and a green roof of almost 4000 square metres.

History/Culture: Algonquin College’s long history with skilled

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trades led to the vision to put them all, especially the construction trades, in one building. Its three themes are: people from different trades working together, using the building itself as a learning tool, and building sustainably. ACCE was completed in 2011.

Nearby Community Features: Centrepointe Theatre (www.centrepointetheatre.com) – A publicly-owned performing arts hall. City of Ottawa Archives (tinyurl.com/ottsusarchs) - Discover Ottawa’s hidden treasures.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks on the building’s west side. Bus: Route 95, Stop 3017, Baseline 1D. Parking: Paid parking on campus. Some Pay and Display spots on southern side of ACCE. The Park and Ride south of ACCE is free on weekends. Website: www3.algonquincollege.com/acce/

Location: 1385 Woodroffe Avenue (west side), between Baseline Rd. and Meadowlands Dr. W.

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THEME: WASTE REDUCTION

“processing waste, recycling, design, conversion”

The location of waste sites is a major issue in any urban area. To reduce the need for landfill, Ottawa has developed a large facility to compost food waste, and another to convert waste to energy. A construction association is

helping members recover building materials, and manufacturers are designing products to reduce waste. Another initiative, that of making quality products from recycled materials to reduce the need for virgin materials and divert waste from landfill, is an emerging trend that is nicely illustrated at terra20.

Description: terra20 is North America’s largest eco-retailer. The store is built with recycled materials where possible, with a healthier environment in mind. The result is a store that looks appealing while incorporating elements of sustainability.

What to See and Do Here: Find toys, tableware, jewelry, -

and, a large selection of health and beauty products that are free of

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harmful chemicals and not tested on animals. The ecobar® is North America's largest eco-product re-fill station.

History/Culture: Founder Steve Kaminski and President Bill Stewart are friends and entrepreneurs who share the dream of making it easy to find sustainable products, and ultimately, having these products be the standard rather than the exception. The first terra20 store opened in Ottawa in September 2012.

Nearby Community Features: Lee Valley Tools (www.leevalley.com) – Mail-order and retail supplier of fine woodworking and gardening tools and cabinet hardware.

Cycling: For map and route, see page 29. Bike racks. Bus: Route 152, Stop 2917, Iris/Southwood. Parking: Free at Pinecrest Shopping Centre. Website: www.terra20.com

Location: Pinecrest Shopping Centre, Highway 417, take Pinecrest/ Greenbank exit 129.

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In order of when they became involved in the project:

Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City Initiative (http://obec-evbo.ca) Shares knowledge and experience about sustainability.

Tucker House (www.maisontuckerhouse.ca) Education, eco-spiritual retreats and collaborative leadership for sustainability.

The Otesha Project (www.otesha.ca) Theatre, education and bicycle tours to help people take action for an equitable and sustainable world.

Capital Vélo Fest (www.capitalvelofest.ca) Cycling events and related educational and entertaining activities.

Being a Bird in North America, North of Mexico (www.babina.ca). A new kind of book to be published in 2014.

Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa Chapter (www.cog.ca/ottawa) Promotes healthy food and healthy living.

Envirocentre (infostw.org/ottawa) Delivers cost-effective energy-efficient goods and services.

JustChange (justchange.ca) Provides grants for projects that produce positive outcomes for Ottawa.

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Listed by theme.

1. NATURAL CAPITAL

South March Highlands (www.southmarchhighlands.ca) Old-growth forest and wetlands that protect Ottawa from flooding. Requires protection now from human development.

Rideau River Nature Trail (www.sustainablelivingottawaeast.ca) Protects 2.5 km of shoreline and increases knowledge of natural environments in an urban setting.

2. SENSE OF PLACE

Rideau Canal (www.ottawatourism.ca) The waterway that gave birth to Ottawa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place for boating and skating, a link to historic rural communities such as Merrickville, and the core of some of the most beautiful parks and pathways in the city.

Parliament Hill (www.parl.gc.ca) Canada’s centre of governance, ceremony and celebration. Changing of the Guard. Guided tours. Statues of historic figures. Beautiful scenery.

3. TRANSPORTATION

Capital Pathways Network (www.canadascapital.gc.ca) Over 200 km to walk, run, cycle or in-line skate in urban and rural Ottawa and Gatineau.

Transitway (www.octranspo.com) North America’s first all-bus rapid transit system.

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4. ENERGY

Chaudière Falls Generating Stations (www.energyottawa.com) Highly efficient hydroelectric turbines powered by river flow.

Conservation Co-op (tinyurl.com/ottsuscoop) Reduces monthly energy costs in an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly building within social housing guidelines and budget. (First housing co-op in Canada to go 100% smoke-free.)

Great Canadian Theatre Company, The Currents Building (tinyurl.com/ottsusgctc) is certified LEED Platinum.

5. FOOD

Just Food (www.justfood.ca)Start Up Farm training program for new farmers near Blackburn Hamlet. Start Up Farmers receive temporary land for farming. The Just Food office is on site at 2389 Pepin Court.

Ottawa Farmers Market (www.ottawafarmersmarket.ca) Fresh food May to October. At Brewer Park until Lansdowne Park re-opens in 2014.

Carp Farmers Market (www.carpfarmersmarket.com) Eastern Ontario's largest. May to October, plus Easter and Christmas crafts in the Octagonal Barn.

Permaculture Ottawa (permacultureottawa.ca) Community Urban Food Forest – Helping create an edible forest garden in the Ottawa Green Belt.

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6. HEALTH

Dundonald Park (www.centretownchc.org www.facebook.com/ParcDundonaldPark) Tai-chi, gardening, sing-alongs, community picnics, knitting circles, outdoor movies, folk dancing, arts and crafts for children, etc. Huron Early Learning Centre (tinyurl.com/ottsushuron) Healthy low-toxic centre that teaches environmental awareness indoors and out.

Lemieux Island Purification Plant (tinyurl.com/ottsuslemis) One of two plants that produce drinking water for Ottawa. Beautiful architecture. Constructed in 1929.

7. RECREATION

Green Belt Trails (www.canadascapital.gc.ca) Six major areas with over 150 km of walking/hiking trails.

Marlborough Forest (www.ontariotrails.on.ca) Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing.

8. HABITAT

Pinhey Sand Dune (tinyurl.com/ottsuspinhey) A habitat restoration project in action. Ottawa’s last publically-owned natural sand dune. Amazing insects and an orchid.

Mud Lake (www.ofnc.ca/birding/wheretogo/britanniabirding.php) A fairly natural lake surrounded by many habitats. Excellent area for birding, especially during spring and autumn migration.

Mer Bleue (www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/greenbelt/mer-bleue) Second largest bog in southern Ontario. A northern habitat.

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9. DESIGN

Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict (www.ottawaecodistrict.org) Reduce environmental impacts with common infrastructure & programs.

Wabano Centre (www.wabano.com) The first-ever National Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal health care in Canada.

Canadian War Museum (www.warmuseum.ca) Presents Canada’s military past and how it shaped the country.

Beaver Barracks (www.beaverbarracks.ca). Affordable rental accommodation that was selected in 2013 as one of the top ten finalists for the World Habitat Award. Contact ccoc.org.

10. WASTE REDUCTION

Plasco Test Plant (www.plascoenergygroup.com) Very high temperature conversion of waste to energy.

Mechanical composter at University of Ottawa(www.sustainable.uottawa.ca/compost.html) Oscar, the largest of the university’s composting machines, 200 Lees Ave.

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This route was developed and tested by tour volunteers. It is quite scenic, approximately 40 km long, and is described generally in an East to West direction. A google map was developed to go with the description. (http://tinyurl.com/ottsusmap)

N.B. All street, road, boulevard, avenue, etc. names are in italics where possible.

1. Richelieu Park to Major's Hill Park

Ride SW on Des Pères Blancs (White Fathers) for 6 blocks (end of street). R on Marier and go 6 blocks, cross Beechwood (becomes Putman) and go 6 blocks. L on Vaughan and go 3 blocks. R on Crichton and go half a block. L on path to Rideau River Eastern Pathway. R on pathway to Stanley (brief interruption in bike path). Straight on Stanley for half a block. L onto pathway through New Edinburgh Park. L on Union to Green Island, over 2 small bridges and down a hill to a stop sign. L on King Edward(part of the street under a bridge ramp). After Boteler, there will be traffic from the bridge (there is a wide sidewalk on R), go 4 blocks. R on St. Andrew and go 3 blocks. L on Parent and go 2 blocks. R on St. Patrick and go 1 block to Sussex. Bicycle racks are at National Gallery across the street. Major's Hill Park is on the left across from National Gallery.

(See note at the end about cycling this section in a West to East direction)

2. Major's Hill Park to Corktown Bridge

Take Ottawa River Pathway on West side of Major's Hill Park (by the river). Pass Chateau Laurier Hotel on your left. Beside the

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stairs up to Rideau there is a door open in the daytime. Bicycle ramp and tunnel take you to other side of Rideau. (If door is locked, return to Major’s Hill Park, towards MacKenzie, R on MacKenzie. Get in R lane, through Rideau and join the bike lane on Colonel By. At the traffic lights at Daly, turn R to join the bike path along the canal.) Continue on Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway under 2 bridges until you arrive at pedestrian bridge. Go past bridge to ramp L going up to Corktown Bridge.

3. Corktown Bridge to FSS Building

SE from bridge to crosswalk at bottom of ramp. Cross Colonel By at lights and go under Nicholas to university. Walk NE up the ramp into campus. The FSS Building is on your left (Social Sciences).Walk around the corner of the building to the entrance of the new building.

4. FSS Building to Children's Garden

Walk R around SE end of building and go down ramp to tunnel under Nicholas. Cross Colonel By at lights. L on Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway, pass Main, go under divided highway. Go under Pretoria Bridge (Hawthorne). Continue about 750 m to Clegg (where electrical wires cross canal). L at Clegg, cross Colonel By and Echoand go 4 blocks. Children's Garden is on corner across Main.

5. Children’s Garden to Playground for Children of All Abilities

Turn R (East) from garden gate and go 1 block. R on Marlowe. L on Onslow. R on Burnham to Elliot. L on Bullock. L on Centennial. At end of Centennial, look for path on your R. Turn R on Rideau River Nature Trail. Pass through Brantwood Park, Brighton Beach Park to end of Windsor Park. R on Harvard and go 3 blocks. L on Cameron and go 7 blocks to end of street. The Playground is across the street on your R. (You will return to this spot later to continue your ride to the next site.)

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6. Playground for Children of All Abilities to Mooney's Bay Park

Take pathway around S of Playground, but stay to R so you go directly across the park. Cross Bronson at the stoplights to access the path through Carleton University. Pass beside the Athletics buildings. Cross University Drive and follow path through tunnel under railway tracks. Cross campus and go straight along path to the building with accordion walls facing S. At end of building (tall tower is on L) turn R and cross Library Road to pathway. Cross Colonel By and turn L onto Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway. Go about 1 km (passing under major road) to Hog's Back. Pass under Hog's Back and follow pathway L then ramp up to bridge. Cross bridge and take path on R just past bridge. R on Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway and ride into Mooney's Bay Park.

7. Mooney's Bay Park to Fletcher Wildlife Garden (FWG)

N on bicycle path out of Mooney's Bay Park to bicycle path on this side of Hog's Back. L on bicycle path and across bridge. After bridge follow ramp down to Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway. Pass under Hog's Back Road and go about 1.5 km to Hartwell Lock (by Carleton University). Cross Rideau Canal at the lock. R on pathway beside canal for about 300 m (Rideau Canal Western Pathway merges from L). L on pathway that turns away from the canal. Do not take the first paved path on the left with the sign “Fletcher Wildlife Garden” (unless you want to walk your bike through the garden). Go about 200 m more and follow the sharp curve to the left, go to top of hill. Just before a sharp right curve look for a beaten foot path on L in the grass (beside Butternut tree). Follow this short “path” through a hedge of trees. You will find yourself in the parking lot of FWG.

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8. Fletcher Wildlife Garden to Algonquin Centre forConstruction Excellence (ACCE)

South on path from Fletcher Wildlife Garden to small road from Hartwell Lock. R on small road to lights, cross Prince of Wales and go 1 block. L on Morningside and R on Morningside (just follow road). R on Ash for a very short distance. L on McCooey, cross Fisher, continue to path on E side of Merivale. R on pathway to Experimental Farm pathway. L on pathway, cross Merivale and follow pathway. L at “T” intersection of path. Follow pathway, crossing Maitland and continue to Woodroffe. Approaching Woodroffe, take the right branch so you can cross at lights by Firehall. Pass on L side of Firehall. R on Pinecrest Creek Pathway and go about 200 m. Cross the Transitway onto the path towards Baseline transit station. Follow pathway to travel S parallel to the transitway. Pass under Baseline and go about 500 m to Navaho. Lon Navaho. Just after the Transitway, you will see the ACCE, a silver building on your R.

9. ACCE to terra20

Return to path and go N under Baseline, beside the Transitway (from whence you came). Cross Transitway and go L on Pinecrest Creek Pathway N to Iris. L on Iris (quieter street, some potholes) and go about 1 km. R into Pinecrest Shopping Centre. terra20 is midway along the line of stores on R.

Note: to cycle the route in a West to East direction, take a different route from Major's Hill Park to Richelieu Park (sites 2 and 1), as follows: From Major’s Hill Park, R on Murray. L on Sussex. R on Guigues. L on Cumberland (pass through Cathcart Park). R on Boteler to the sidewalk under King Edward. L on the sidewalk. R on Union towards the white steel bridges.

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(STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN BOLD)Rebecca Aird 4, 15 -

Rob Alvo 2, 4, 9- Jim

Birtch (Project Coordinator) 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16Heather Buist 4, 9, 12

Joana Chelo 3, 5 Jennifer Cossette 2, 4

Elaine Isabelle 10Christine Lee 1, 4 Louise Lefebvre 3, 4, 12, 16

Dick Louch 11 Andrea David McClelland 2, 4, 14

Sarah Barbara Riley

Natalie St- - Kara Stonehouse 6,10 -

Judi Varga- Marielle Verret 3, 7.

TASK LEGEND1. Project administration 2. Research & writing 3. Translation 4. Editing 5. Launch preparation 6. Funding 7. Newsletter 8. Volunteer recruitment

9. Design 10. Project planning 11. Cycling route 12. Media 13. Web 14. Maps 15. City of Ottawa

representative 16. Photography

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThank you to IBM and JustChange for their very welcome funding support. Appreciation to numerous staff of the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission and OC Transpo for their advice. Thank you also to site managers and community associations working near the sites. In addition, our gratitude to Google for the use of its maps for locations of the individual sites and for the bicycle route map. PHOTO CREDITSJames Birtch: Playground for Children of All AbilitiesCentre for Construction ExcellenceKatie Breen: Children’s GardenLaura Hagerman: CoverChristine Hanrahan: Fletcher Wildlife GardenDavid McClelland: Major’s Hill ParkPamela Tourigny: terra20

INVITATIONWe invite other cities in Canada and around the world to develop their own self-guided Sustainability Tours and to improve on Ottawa’s!

PROJECT ORIGINThe Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City Council (obec-evbo.ca) began consultations on the Ottawa Sustainability Tour in January 2012. Since then over sixty volunteers have worked on the development of this demonstration project. Their work is part of the “gift economy”, in which people give freely for the good of others.

WEBSITES FOR DOWNLOADING TOUR BOOK AND QUESTIONNAIREOttawa Biosphere Eco-City Initiative (obec-evbo.ca) Tucker House (www.maisontuckerhouse.ca) The Otesha Project (www.otesha.ca) Capital Vélo Fest (www.capitalvelofest.ca) Canadian Organic Growers (www.cog.ca/ottawa) Envirocentre (infostw.org/ottawa )

Caution: The contributors to this tour guide have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of information contained in it, but cannot accept liability for any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by any reader or user as a result of information or advice contained in it. "Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait for the Signs" (from Tom King’s Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour).

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